‘I’M ALWAYS TAKING INDIA WITH ME, BE IT THE MET GALA OR MOVIES’

Donning a pristine ivory suit and her dimpled smile, actor Alia Bhatt charmed all gathered at the HT Leadership Summit on Saturday
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 6, 2023)

From growing up in the public eye to becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood, Alia Bhatt’s life has been nothing short of a filmi story. In conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Entertainment & Lifestyle, Hindustan Times at the 21st HT Leadership Summit held on Saturday, the National Award-winning actor floored everyone with her unabashed honesty about her personal and professional life choices, raising daughter Raha, and donning multiple hats as an actor, producer and entrepreneur. 

“I’m always taking India with me,” stated the Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) actor at the beginning of the session, while talking about representing the country internationally, be it for a movie, a luxury brand, or the Met Gala. 

‘DIDN’T DO ANYTHING SPECIAL BY REPEATING MY WEDDING SAREE’ 
Bhatt, who looked resplendent in an ivory suit, opened up about the much-hyped discourse of her wearing her wedding saree to receive the National Film Awards. “[Almost] instinctively, I felt that I was going to wear my wedding saree (when her name was announced for the National Award). It was a garment I felt myself the most in. My wedding was a special moment [for me], and this was also a moment that felt special for different reasons. An outfit can be worn for a special occasion more than once. I don’t think I was doing something special!” 

‘NEVER SAY NEVER TO DIRECTION’ 
Bhatt’s career seems to be going from strength to strength — from starting off as a young actor in Student Of The Year (2012) to turning co-producer for projects like Darlings (2022) and Jigra. Calling it a “creative ride” the actor shared, “Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently said [in one of his speeches], ‘There are no losers in life, only winners and learners’. This stayed with me, and I believe I’m a learner.” 

Considering her hands-on experience backing a project, can we see her in the director’s chair soon? Bhatt laughed and answered, “I would be a very impatient director. But never say never! I don’t have that kind of command over a story. I can aid other filmmakers get them together as a producer. Although Sanjay sir (Leela Bhansali, filmmaker) once told me, ‘I think you should direct a movie one day’, and I was like, ‘Sir?’ and he just said, ‘You will see’.” 

As the conversation with Alia Bhatt proceeded with candid and witty answers from the actor, she revealed more about her daughter — a point of curiosity for most of her fans.

NOT HIDING MY DAUGHTER’
The 30-year-old has received a lot of praise for not revealing her daughter Raha’s face to the world, who happens to turn a year older today. “It’s not like I’m hiding my daughter; I am proud of our baby. But we (she and husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor) are new parents. We don’t know how we feel about her face splashed all over the internet,” she shared, with a promise that they will introduce the world to Raha once they are comfortable.

When asked about juggling multiple roles as a mum, actor, producer and an entrepreneur, Bhatt said she tries to compartmentalize everything according to priority. And Raha is the first priority for her and Ranbir.

“Although we have help at home, we work our schedules around Raha in a way that one of us is always with her all the time. When I took up Jigra, Ranbir cleared his schedule for the next few months so I can work with ease,” she shared, adding, “Celebs are often asked, ‘How is it being a working mother?’ But women work! The nanny who comes to my house has three kids of her own. Even stay-at-home mums work a lot. I think we give celebs too much importance.”

ON GETTING TROLLED
As is with most public figures, Bhatt has also received equal parts praise and trolling. When asked how she navigates her way through all this, she said, “As long as my movies are doing well… I’m fine.” But, she does draws the line between constructive criticism and “endless hate”. “A person can look at me and not like my face, I can’t do anything about that,” she said. “I’ve never experienced trolling upfront. But, if there’s any chatter, I [can] hope it dies down and move forward,” she ends.

I’m not trying to hide my daughter