I'm not a star yet, I have a long way to go: Alia Bhatt

Published November 19, 2014
Alia Bhatt. - Photo courtesy: Santa Banta
Alia Bhatt. - Photo courtesy: Santa Banta

With a string of hit movies, it seems like Alia Bhatt can do no wrong. From playing a ditzy high school queen bee in Student of the Year to showing the emotional depth of a woman who suffers from Stockholm Syndrome in Highway, there is no doubting her talent. However, it is evident that Alia has not let that get to her head and remains grounded and determined to do even better.

Talking to Hindustan Times, the budding actor explains she is no 'star' just yet and that this is just the beginning of her journey: "Honestly, I feel stardom comes with a body of work. I don’t feel like any of us (the younger lot) are stars right now, at least I feel I’m not a star yet. I have done just four films."

Even though all four of those movies (Student of the Year, Highway, 2 States and Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania) have been hugely successful, the young celebrity still feels hesitant about the term 'star', stating: "I don’t think I have reached that stage. Stardom comes with consistent quality work, which is exactly what I want to do. I feel fortunate that I have had four hits, but I still feel I have a long way to go."

Hailing from a family that is infringed in Bollywood, including director Mahesh Bhatt and actor Pooja Bhatt, one can assume that Alia wanted to be part of the industry from a young age. According to her sister, Pooja, the 21-year-old has wanted stardom since she was a child.

The 2 States leading lady recalls her naivety: "When I was small, I asked my mother what my name meant. She told me "it means something high up in the sky". Alia literally means exalted, but if you explain it to a kid, you define it in very simple terms. So, when I would look up towards the sky, I would see stars and I would say "oh, I am a star".

"It was a very innocent, childish thing," she says.

Something that is unknown about the actor is that she had auditioned for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black in 2005 as a child.

Giving further details about the incident, she conveys: "Yes. It was a sweet experience. Actually, I met Sonam Kapoor recently and she reminded me, saying, "Alia, do you remember I was there when you had come to audition?" At that time, I was like 10 or 11. I was really small. Of course, I didn’t make the cut, but it was nice to meet Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir."

Bhatt also dismissed rumours that had been circulating in the media about her possibly being a part of the remake of Ram Lakhan, clarifying and saying: "Nothing (like news reports claim) has come to me".

The promising newcomer will be next seen in Vikas Bahl's Shaandar, opposite Shahid Kapoor.

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...