She’s perhaps the youngest among the new-gen in B’town, but definitely one who knows where she is heading to. Just in the age of 19 this girl has debutant her career by the role of rich brat in the film ‘Student of the Year’. She is young but lil immature, confident but not brash, yet
very stylish without trying hard, ‘A breath of fresh air’ Alia Bhatt. After proving her x factor in her film ‘Highway’ with her intense act, Alia has again convinced to move the shoes in theatres with her recent film ‘HSKD’. In a candid tete-a-tete with Spectralhues, she talked about her hatch to the next big thing in Bollywood!
1 Your reaction when highway was offered to you?
I was thrilled. It was a difficult role and as it was all Imtiaz’s film I knew that he’ll going to ask my soul out in the role.
2 How did the lighthearted ‘SOTY’ happen?
It was a time when I was just about to start my 12th standard and Karan sir (Karan Johar) gave me the offer for the lead role in his movie. He had told me that the film was about college life and friend’s, fun and I got ready for giving audition with many other girls for the same role. I’ve got selected but told to lose some weight according to my character and that’s how that sparkle happened.
3 With your second film Highway, your acting extolled extremely. Tell us one thing which the film did for you?
It brought me completely what I am in person. Highway made me touch upon a plethora of feelings, leaving me emotionally drained. It brought out a real Alia in that significant character as Veera.
4 Do you feel more confident now?
Yeah a lil bit, but when I think as a person I feel that I am a smug which is obviously wrong. I should become more thoughtful and experimental to my work. It takes me long way otherwise I will lose my spark soon.
5 Your dad has been the legend in film making, have you ever asked for some acting tips from him or does he shares some?
Not exactly, as I was not doing any film with him and he was not the director of my film so I went to my director to learn from my own mistakes. There was never been such situation that I have to go to him for teaching me the tips. All though for me he is my father not Director Mahesh Bhatt.
6 You again tracked voice for your recent HSKD. So will you ever plan about singing as profession in future?
Actually Imtiaz was the one, who suggested me that I should sing. But eventually it depends on future projects that whether I get the chance again or not. But I must say the experience of singing and listening to your own song was an astonishing feel for me and I do wish that it happens again. On other side it was very difficult for me in both the songs as you have to hold your breath for a long time. But it became easier for me when A.R Rahman gave me the training for my first song which opened up me and my voice a lot.
7 How your father (Mahesh Bhatt) did react to your films and your characters?
He seems to be very happy and proud as all fathers feel for their girls. But he also wants me to get exhausted and tired after every shot as he says that this is the way it should be with all your sweat out in your role that how it’ll bring perfection into me.
8 Stardom is one thing. The work that goes behind it is another. You now know that apart from shooting & dubbing, you also have to be a part of marketing and promotion. Are you enjoying that as well?
Oh, you caught our nerve (laughs). Promotions are one thing which can make anybody much worn out. But as everybody can see it is turning into a necessity for every film nowadays whether it connects with any big banner or a small. No matter how big the star is, every other actor has to go under this procedure in Bollywood’s present scenario. And mainly if you talk about newbie’s like me in the industry then it is like blessing to us to show our work and become a popular face into individual audience.
9 Talking about popularity, how are you handling this sudden attention, has stardom changed your life?
Actually it would sound bit funny but I don’t believe that I touched that stardom yet. I would say that I became a known face among people now. It just a beginning, I’m hardly some films old so I don’t feel that big yet.
It hasn’t changed in that drastic way but yeah I love when people talk about me or appreciate my characters in films. I started liking more interactions with people now and always try to know what audience talks about me on a ground level. I even want people to advice or criticize me as well at least it will show they’re counting me and my work. As an actor you should be ready for both appreciation and criticism.
10 You seem to be very simple and being in image of girls next door, is there anything about the world of glamour that you really hate?
Growing up in a filmy atmosphere itself makes you aware that there’s no private life for celebrities and that media can sneak into their personal lives. Media captures some pictures without our permission especially sometimes when I don’t look good in some snaps, but that’s ok as media does all that stuff because of their profession. But somewhere or other I won’t feel nice and hate it. There should be a line between people and your privacy no matter how big celebrity you are. That line should only be crossed when you allow people to do so. Thus I drew a line around me which some where help me to escape my negative or false publicity.
11 You did kissing scene in almost your every film, did your family object?
Are yaar ha! Parents will definitely feel awkward when they see their daughter kissing, but they also understand that my stories of films are such that it was necessary to do such scenes. Actually it comes as a gift if you belongs to Bollywood background family they always understands you and your character rather than restrict you. But I won’t do it if a director tries to sell my kissing scene out of his film to increase his business.
12 Four films old Alia is already on course to be worked with some of the hottest stars in Bollywood, whom you want to be on list next?
Oh! Without any shadow of a doubt they are Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, Dashing Ranbir Kapoor and but obvious Shahid Kapoor.
13 You did photoshoot for Peta, and this time you turned into an angel, how’s the experience?
It was an amazing experience shooting again for those cute animals. I am an animal lover myself and own two cats. As the campaign says ‘Don’t buy, adopt them’, I truly believe that a person should have some respect and love for those animals who lives on streets as they love their kids. They also deserve safe and healthy lives. There are many animals that help human to survive then why those human can’t adopt animal to give them a better life. I want that all those who love me please love those animals too.
14 There is a saying ‘you will never have female best friends in Bollywood’ in that case do you feel competition?
Ummm, somewhat that saying is true, and if we see it’s not just Bollywood it’s the story of every other profession now a day. Well, about competition I feel my competition is with me. I mean it in sense that if you will not perform well or will not be there then someone else gonna be there. The girls who just entered into Bollywood with me are straightly my competition. But Parineeti, shraddha and I keep meeting often. They are wonderful actors. We are all quite chilled out together and luckily there is no bad feeling for each other.
15 How different did you find Varun in humpty as compared with what he used to be during ‘SOTY’?
Varun is my bestie. And since he started he is very passionate about his work. We share an amazing friendly relationship and no matter what people think about us. I want him to concentrate on his career right now leaving all other things behind. There’s a lot much on his plate and I am happy that he is enjoying it all as he use to do before. To be very precise, we share a love- hate relationship and enjoy each other company. It’s always fun shooting with him.
