It may be a while before fans see Hrithik Roshan back on screen, but the superstar has ensured that work behind the scenes is well underway. Roshan, who announced his entry into the streaming space as a producer on October 10, 2025, has taken his first production, Storm, on floors. Sources tell mid-day that the thriller series began shooting in Mumbai in November 2025.

“The shooting for Storm is in full swing. Ajitpal Singh serves as the show’s director, writer, and creator. It’s largely a start-to-end schedule. Ajit is looking at wrapping it by February,” says a source of the series, which stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Alaya F, Saba Azad, Srishti Shrivastava, Rrama Sharma, Ashish Vidyarthi, and Rajit Kapur.

The show marks the first of many collaborations between Prime Video and Roshan’s HRX Films, a division of his FilmKraft Productions. The makers worked on the script for over three years before taking the series on floors.

“Hrithik and Ajitpal have spent considerable time exchanging ideas through the scripting and pre-production stage. Hrithik is kicked about the show’s script. He loved Ajit’s directorial venture Tabbar (2021). So, he knows the filmmaker will bring his unique flavour to the genre, where style, substance, and sensitivity will unite,” shares another insider.

For actor Alaya F, home isn’t complete without the pitter-patter of little paws. Her three-year-old Maltese, MJ — short for Magic Junior — is not just a pet, but a living tribute to her late dog, Magic, and the undeniable centre of her world.

While she grew up with pets around her, the decision to bring MJ home three years ago was not an easy one. The 27-year-old recalls, “When I moved into my own house four years ago, I decided I will not get a pet. They are like babies and it would be a big responsibility. I didn’t want to take it up since I had to manage everything alone.”

But fate had other plans. A friend, travelling out of town, asked Alaya to care for his dog temporarily. “The pet was comfortable with me, so he requested me. I reluctantly agreed,” shares the actor who debuted in Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), adding, “But I got so attached that, when he had to go, I told my friend, ‘Either I steal yours or get my own’.”

And that’s when Alaya began the search for her own fur baby. “The first image I was sent was a photo of MJ, asking, ‘Would you like to take him?’ I said, ‘No one send me any more photos, I have found the love of my life’!”

Since then, MJ has become her constant companion and an undeniable mood-lifter. “He made the home come alive. He’s such a badmaash! He’s been a source of joy ever since for me and anybody who enters my home.”

Balancing her bustling work life with pet parenting isn’t always easy, but Alaya has found a rhythm: “He has a working mum and he knows that. But MJ is chill. He’s a relaxed guy, I will give him credit for that.”

Though she often travels for shoots, MJ has never been short on love or care. The actor elaborates, “He is used to seeing me go in and out of home. I have two caretakers at home and he is obsessed with them. He’s also very happy when the house is crowded or when my teams come over.”

Despite the distance at times, the bond runs deep. “I miss him so much when I’m away, and I know he misses me, too,” she says, eyes twinkling.

Early on in this conversation, actor Alaya F makes it evident that when it comes to fitness, she isn’t relatable. While the concept of a fitness challenge is still alien to the common man, most folks adopting one would agree that adhering to every little detail of the plan is seemingly impossible. Alaya, however, makes a fitness challenge look meek.

“The 75 Hard challenge required one to adhere to certain practices for 75 days, without straying away from the requirements for even a single day. For all the days, non-stop, one needs to do two workouts a day, one indoor and another outdoor. One also needs to consume 3.5 litres of water, and adhere to a diet designed to meet the individual’s goals. Alcohol and cheat meals are prohibited, and it is compulsory to read at least 10 pages each day. In the event that a person reads nine pages only, or skips an outdoor workout because it may be raining, they must start the challenge all over again. I took this ‘75 Hard’ challenge and made it ‘75 Harder’. I added 10 minutes of meditation, and did three workouts on most days. I also ended up reading six books, which is far more than the stipulated 10 pages daily, and did 10 minutes of [writing] and Buddhist chanting. Furthermore, I quit gluten, sugar, meat, fried foods, and caffeine,” says Alaya, 27, whose social media page can serve as inspiration for any fitness enthusiast.

Interestingly, this isn’t Alaya’s first attempt at the challenge. Having first adopted it last year, she recalls quitting it on Day 33 after an unforeseen situation at work upset her.

“Because I am not one to quit a challenge, it stayed with me. For a long time, I kept thinking about it, and so, on December 17, 2024, in the midst of the year-end celebrations, I decided to take it up again. I wanted to end the year in the way [I had intended to] begin it, and hit reset on everything. After all, this is a bigger mental challenge than a physical one.”

Ever since she made her industry debut, Alaya has been known as much for her fitness shenanigans as she has for her films. Be it her ability to pull off head stands, or balance atop a gym ball with weights, her fitness acts have both raised eyebrows and inspired her followers. Why then would she need to adopt a challenge of this nature, we ask.

“While I wanted to tone my muscles, I essentially wanted to become disciplined again. I was on an 1800-calorie diet to keep up with my physical activity. My indoor workouts entailed pilates, callisthenics, or Ashtanga yoga, while my outdoor routines involved a fast-paced walk, swim, or a run. In my regular life, I am usually [disciplined] but may normally have a glass of wine when I go out. Here, there was no scope for adjustment. I had to schedule my life around this. For instance, since I’d do my outdoor exercises at night, I haven’t had a night out in 75 days. There are a lot of things that I will take forth from this experience. I learnt that while I thought I needed a certain amount of social interaction in the past, I am very comfortable in my company. Since you can’t rely on anyone in this challenge, you build a connection with yourself. I enjoyed that.”

Alaya F is celebrating five years in the Hindi film industry. The actor, who made her debut in Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), reflects on the lessons she’s learned along the way. “I think my biggest learning in the last five years, and what really caught me off guard was how little of an actor’s job is acting. That moment between action and cut doesn’t even take up 10% of our time,” says the 27-year-old.

She adds, “You are either waiting for the shot or you’re on a grand set, in meetings or focusing on your PR, social media game or simply focusing on your life — there’s so much more to being a successful, thriving actor.”

Since Alaya brings up PR, the demands of promoting oneself heavily as an actor require significant effort. There’s also the challenge of seeing a contemporary steal the limelight through such promotion. 

When asked if talking about oneself so frequently comes easily to her, Alaya laughs: “Talking about myself comes naturally to me. I’m very much like my mother (actor, talk show host Pooja Bedi), talking is in my genes. But it’s one thing to be a strong product, and another to sell your product.”

Alaya, who has been part of projects such as Freddy (2022) and Srikanth (2024), continues, “The way you market a product, the way you present and sell it... all of those things are also a lesson I have learnt.”

Reema Maya, Shanaya Kapoor, Alaya F

When it comes to the film industry, no news usually means bad news. That, however, is not the case for the web series based on Student Of The Year, which, after being announced a year ago, was barely discussed in mainstream media. But the absence of news around the series, we learn, doesn’t imply that the Karan Johar-backed project has been shelved. A source tells mid-day that work on the show is underway with director Reema Maya currently looking for her leading man.

“While Alaya F and Shanaya Kapoor have already been confirmed as the lead actresses, the hunt for a male lead is underway. Reema Maya has a distinct vision for this series. Unlike the films, which had a glossy and [flamboyant] appearance, the web series will have a modern and edgy feel. It’s still set in the same world, but will focus on the interpersonal dynamics between the characters,” says the source.

Maya, known for her critically acclaimed project Nocturnal Burger (2023), is determined to present the franchise in a new light. “She’s looking for someone who can complement Alaya and Shanaya, and also bring a certain gravitas to the role. This franchise has catapulted newcomers to stardom. So, this is a golden opportunity for male actors. Open casting calls are being made for both primary and secondary roles, and Karan has stated that the decision rests with Reema,” says the source, adding that the team has locked the month of April for the shoot. “Locations are currently being scouted.”

Pooja Bedi, who began her career as an actress and has since transitioned into a motivational speaker, is known for her candid reflections on personal growth and the challenges of the film industry. During her recent visit to Hyderabad, where she addressed FICCI Flo in a talk titled From Limitations to Liberation, Bedi reflected on her career, discussing the broader conversations surrounding nepotism, and watching her daughter, Alaya F, carve her own path in cinema. Excerpts:

Speaking with pride about her daughter, actress Alaya F, and her dedication to her craft, Pooja jokes, “I was a terrible actress. I often used my cleavage to distract from my poor acting.”

In contrast, she describes Alaya as a focused and determined young woman. “She wakes up at 6 in the morning, knows her schedule, and invests fully in her pursuits. Nothing distracts her — not her social life, love life, or even her parents.”

Pooja, who is the daughter of actor Kabir Bedi and late dancer Protima Bedi, addressed the ongoing debate around nepotism in the film industry, highlighting a broader perspective. “It’s strange how people shout ‘nepotism’ when it comes to the film industry, but when a businessman’s son follows in his father’s footsteps or a doctor’s child becomes a doctor, no one says a word. It baffles me,” she explains.

She emphasizes the influence of one’s upbringing on career choices. “When you’re born into an environment, you absorb it, whether you like it or not. For me, I grew up in the film world, and even though I didn’t want to be an actress, I eventually found my way into it.”

Despite her eventual fame in Bollywood, Pooja’s original aspirations were far removed from acting. “I never wanted to act. My first film happened by accident, and I only did Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar because I needed the money.”

However, her role in that film marked a turning point in her career. “That film catapulted me to fame, and the iconic red dress scene became my defining moment.” Though initially reluctant, she quickly gained the label of the “sex symbol of India.”

“At first, I was uncomfortable with that label, but I figured if I’m going to be called sexy, I might as well own it and be the best at it.”

In recent times, several actors, including Abhishek Banerjee and Aahana S Kumra, have openly criticised social media influencers for stepping into showbiz and snatching acting roles. But for Alaya F, the journey has taken the opposite path. She started as an actor and, due to circumstances, later embraced the influencer space.

Reflecting on this transition, she shares, “The world shut down right after my first film Jawaani Jaaneman released in 2020. I had to find a way to stay relevant, to remind people that I existed. During that time, social media became my lifeline.”

At 26, Alaya admits that platforms like Instagram have been a “blessing” for actors. She adds, “Now, you don’t have to rely on films for money. You can choose projects out of passion because social media handles the financial part.”

This year has been a mixed bag for the actor. While Srikanth performed well at the box office, her more commercial film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan didn’t hit the mark. When asked how she handles such ups and downs, she says, “In this industry, your position and reality are always shifting. The only constant is change, and I’ve grown a lot more comfortable with it. Initially, it made me anxious — feeling the pressure to prove myself — but now I’ve learned to stay calm. I want to make more thoughtful choices going forward.”

Alaya admits she often feels like an underdog in her career, too. “I still feel like I’m fighting to prove myself, and that’s actually great because everyone loves an underdog story. I have so much more to show and so much yet to achieve. That excitement keeps me driven and makes the journey worthwhile,” she says.

Alaya F’s mom, Pooja Bedi, has been a part of films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Lootere and Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993), but while growing up the young actress was allowed to see just one of them.

Alaya shares, “My mother allowed me to see only one movie she has been a part of - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. She didn’t let me see the rest because she was so embarrassed by what she had done in them (laughs). Once, on her birthday, I found some footage of one of her other films, and she was so embarrassed that we all were laughing.”

Alaya, who debuted with Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) and has been seen in movies like Srikanth, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Freddy, shares that her mom loves watching her on the screen.

She says, “Mom loves all my work so far. The moment she sees me on screen, she bursts out crying. When I am about to come on the screen, I start looking at her because I know how much she tries to hold or control her emotions. She has seen all my movies far more times than I have. In fact, she saw my debut film, Jawaani Jaaneman, 12 times because she would keep taking different groups of people to the theatres to watch it.”

Alaya F is ecstatic about the positive reaction to her latest film, Srikanth, starring Rajkummar Rao, which has inched its way to being labelled a hit. “The response is really special. I don’t think I’ve experienced this sort of reaction to anything before, and it feels incredible to be part of a story that so many people were excited to watch,” she gushes.

However, just before this success came a film that was a first for her in many ways: Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, her first big-budget masala potboiler, as well as the first to receive polarizing reviews. At the box office, the multi-starrer movie underperformed, and viewers had mixed feelings about her role in the film, finding her to be either charming or annoying. Reflecting on the experience, Alaya chooses to look on the bright side: “I got a lot out of the movie. It was a unique experience to see that sort of response.”  

Alaya, who has starred in films such as Freddy (2022) and Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), continues, “My character was pretty polarizing. That was quite different for me, as my characters (so far in other movies) are normally not. [But] people really enjoyed seeing me in a commercial space, which is great for an actor because I want to continue to do all types of cinema.”

And what about the film’s collections? Did that affect her? Alaya replies, “The film still made money, just not as much as it should have. But a lot of people saw it, compared to many of the other films I’ve done.”

At a time when tentpole movies are ruling the box office, director Ali Abbas Zafar is readying his action extravaganza Bade Miyan Chote Miyan with arguably the best people for the job, Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. With the film almost wrapped up, the cast and crew recently headed to Jordan to focus on the songs. The actors, along with leading ladies Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F, shot four numbers over 12 days across different locations of the country.

We hear the unit’s first stop was in Jerash, where they kicked off the shoot on January 22, followed by the filming of a party track along the Dead Sea beach.

A source reveals, “A top Bollywood leading lady features as a surprise element in the pool party number. It sees the four lead actors in swimwear, shaking a leg to the catchy beats. Wallah Habibi, a romantic track, was the last to be filmed in the deserts of Wadi Rum and sees the cast and over 100 background dancers in Arabic costumes and accessories.”

Producer Jackky Bhagnani, who recently returned from the extensive schedule, indicates that it all worked out smoothly because the Royal Film Commission of Jordan provided support to the production team and facilitated the necessary permits. With the songs currently at the edit table, he is happy with the way they are looking.

“The Bade Miyan Chote Miyan title track was filmed in Jerash, an ancient city with a beautifully preserved Roman theatre. One romantic song was shot in the modern city of Amman. We also set a [party] song at a stunning man-made white sand beach,” he says.

Bhagnani knew that prep would be crucial to filming these tracks at a brisk pace. That’s why choreographer Bosco Martis conducted extensive rehearsals with the cast in Mumbai before they flew out. The producer adds, “All aspects, from costumes to fittings to props, were organized in advance, within a span of 15 to 20 days. To ensure precision, Bosco even conducted a reference shoot in a Mumbai studio, to make sure he knew exactly what he wanted for the final product.”

Why would the makers of a big-budget tentpole movie, starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff, decide to shoot it in the middle of nowhere? That was our first thought when we landed on the set of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan near Wadi Rum in Jordan, on the last day of the shoot. The term ‘in the middle of nowhere’ is not being used lightly here—wish we could show you images from the shoot; unfortunately, they are under embargo. But picture this: dramatic clouds against the blue sky, unending desert and rugged mountain ranges as far as the eye can see.

From Mumbai, it took us two flights and a four-hour drive from Amman to reach Wadi Rum. From there, Mohammed, also known as Michael Schumacher, drove us down to the location for another 30 minutes as we battled gusts of cold wind and three degree temperature. Then, there was a trek to the spot where the unit was shooting. Enough to make a fellow scribe joke, “Only Akshay and Tiger are cut out to do this every day.” He was right.

Soon, there was respite as we heard some Hindi in the air. Sure enough, we had reached the set —a 250-people unit shooting a song with Kumar, Shroff and leading ladies Manushi Chhillar and Alaya F. On this day, choreographer Bosco Martis was running the set, discussing steps with director Ali Abbas Zafar for the final okay.

While we shivered underneath our two jackets, Shroff was practicing his steps shirtless. “I’m loving the warmth of the sun,” he told us enthusiastically. This is perhaps the passion that goes behind making an action extravaganza —actors, director and the crew going to any lengths to give you the big-scale feel. The big-screen magic comes at a price.

Though in Jordan, the price is significantly less. In the past few years, the country has been the site of some major productions, including Dennis Villeneuve’s Dune (2021) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023). 

Producer Jackky Bhagnani explains that the local crew is trained, cheap and easily available. It’s inexpensive to shoot here with the rebates the government offers, even allowing 10 months of shoot without any additional taxes. What lures Zafar though is the stunning visual palette, from the sea to the mountains, from the rustic to the grand.

After an eight-hour shoot, we all headed to the film’s wrap-up party, where we watched the action thriller’s making. If the teaser was action-packed, the film promises much more—tanks, a helicopter, some cars being blown up, all of which Jordan has in surplus supplies. The country’s military has helped the Royal Film Commission of Jordan maintain replicas and real weaponry from as far as World War I. For the Indian audience, Zafar and Bhagnani have found untapped locations. What helps is the seamless functioning since the locals have an undying love for Hindi movies. 

We experienced it first-hand as we headed to Aqaba, Jordan’s coastal city, on our last day of the visit. Aqaba is marked by a strange confluence; to its south is Saudi Arabia, to its west Egypt and not too far away is Israel. As we had coffee at a waterfront, the owners played the song, Bole Chudiyaan, for us.

Evading talk of how the region has been a hotbed of activity in recent times, they discussed how they can’t get enough of Bollywood. A shopkeeper at Petra, which is barely a two-hour ride from Aqaba, even offered us a few freebies since we come from the land of Kareena Kapoor Khan, making us realize that Bollywood is bigger than we think. 

Alaya F recently encountered a challenging experience with a spider bite, yet her unwavering dedication to the demanding 75 Hard Challenge remains resolute. Crafted by supplement expert and author Andy Frisella, this 75-day challenge is described as a “transformative mental toughness programme”.

Reflecting on her intensive routine, the 26-year-old actor details, “In one day, I am landing up getting 7 hours of physical activity. My body is exhausted from all the workouts — 5 hours of song rehearsals and 2 hours of the 75 Hard Challenge. On top of that, there are all the other things one has to do, so my days are feeling extra full now, but it is very rewarding.”

She further shares, “It is a very intense but wonderful start to the year. I started on January 1. Maintaining the four-litre water intake can be a little tricky sometimes. I am also getting back to reading and managed to meditate in my challenge, so it’s great. I feel mentally refreshed, and my body feels clean because there are no cheat meals or alcohol.”

Providing guidance to those contemplating the challenge, she concludes, “As long as you have an overall healthy diet, it is sustainable. I am avoiding refined sugars and fried foods.”

One needs to complete five crucial daily activities, including twice-daily workouts, strict adherence to a nutrition plan and the fortification of mental resilience — all without breaks, cheat days or substitutions. Failure to fulfil even one task results in the clock resetting, compelling individuals to restart the entire programme from day one.

Overnight successes are far and few between, and that doesn’t take anything away from artistes who struggle for years before they sparkle in the spotlight. Priyanshu Painyuli, who has made his mark with his performances in Extraction, Mirzapur, and Rashmi Rocket, among others, believes in quietly doing his job and letting his work make all the noise.

Having said that, the actor is also trying to learn the ropes of social media to promote himself. “From this year on, I will shout a lot about the work I am doing,” he laughs as he gears up for the release of his next film, U-Turn.

Learning only recently how to effectively put out reels and posts, Painyuli says, “I have been told to get out there [on social media] a lot, and I am learning new things. I need to learn from Alaya [U-Turn co-star] and many others who are good at it. But I am happy that it is not the only reason why people are loving me.”

The actor, however, is clear that ultimately it will be his screen choices that will earn him the audience’s permanent trust, as he signs projects “that are important positioning-wise”.

Besides U-Turn, Painyuli has Pippa, also starring Mrunal Thakur and Ishaan Khatter, and an Amazon Prime Video project. “The idea is to make people see me in varied roles so that they can put me anywhere. It is difficult, and I am not yet in a position to say no. You become an actor through the choices you make,” he concludes.

It would be folly to assume that an actor’s early years in the industry are about signing multiple projects, in a bid to make his/her presence felt. Alaya F would agree. Four years into showbiz, the actor has a strong sense of clarity about the kind of films she wants to front. “My journey over the next few films is to figure out how to appeal to audiences that aren’t urban,” she begins.

In 2020, the actor forayed into movies with Jawaani Jaaneman, a London-set comedy about a man who understands his responsibilities after meeting his estranged daughter. She followed it up with the psychological thriller, Freddy (2022), and Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat. She is aware that her movies so far, with their varying degrees of success, have familiarised her only to a niche set of cine-goers.

“Most of my films so far have catered to an urban audience. If I go to Mumbai, Delhi, or Bengaluru, I will be asked for a picture by a lot of people. But if I take a flight and go [to a tier-2] town, nobody will know who I am,” she states matter-of-factly.

Alaya understands that to climb the ladder of success, her filmography will have to include a fair share of mainstream entertainers. That is where U-Turn, also starring Priyanshu Painyuli, comes into the picture. She believes that the Ekta Kapoor-backed venture — a remake of the 2018 Kannada supernatural thriller of the same name — is her first “massy” offering. But is doing a remake a smart move, when the audience has rejected several of them in the past few months?

“I have enjoyed many remakes. Also, I think U-Turn is an adaptation rather than a remake. Arif [Khan, director] has brought his own take to the story. [Even if you’ve seen the original], you’ll be surprised at many points in the film, and will not be able to predict what happens in the end. At the end of the day, all art is inspired by other art. If it’s good content, how does it matter whether it is a remake, an adaptation, or an original?”

She may not go out of her way to seek validation, but when compliments come her way, Alaya F cannot stop blushing. The actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), has been in the industry for barely three years. After Kartik Aaryan-starrer Freddy and Anurag Kashyap’s Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat, she has been hailed as the next potential Bollywood superstar by one of the biggest stars, Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

In an interview, Chopra showered praise on Alaya, stating that the young actor could be the number one star of her generation. Alaya, who is now gearing up for the release of her next, U Turn, says, “It is a surreal feeling. I wish for everyone [to experience this] because it is one of the best feelings. [I feel] pride, joy, and anxious excitement.” She adds that receiving such unexpected validation from one of her favourite actors has left her with many emotions all at once.

“It caught me by surprise. Priyanka is someone I have admired for the longest time; this praise coming from her means the world to me,” she shares.

Alaya F is extremely passionate about fitness, and over the years, the Jawaani Jaaneman actress has turned to yoga to stay in shape. She credits yoga and meditation for her high energy and fitness levels. Alaya did an exclusive shoot with Bombay Times at Bandra Fort, where she gave us a glimpse of her yoga routine and spoke about her diet essentials and fitness mantra.

Talking about how yoga has helped her beyond physical fitness, the Freddy actress says, “Practising yoga has opened up my body. Now, if I don’t practise yoga for a while, my body starts feeling tight, and I don’t feel like myself. When I started doing yoga, I just wanted to get fit...I didn’t really have any other goals in mind. In fact, I told my yoga instructor that I’m not interested in finding mental peace, I just want to get ripped. But the beauty of yoga is that by default, you end up finding a sense of calm and peace.”

Encouraging people to pursue yoga and believe in self-care, she says, “Don’t ever doubt your body! You can start doing yoga at any stage, and the essential practice of it remains the same. It’s never too early or too late to start. Don’t underestimate your body, as it’s capable of amazing things. You just need to believe in it and not be scared. For me, self-care goes beyond just fitness. Self-care involves your mental health and the way you talk to your own body and mind.”

Today, most actors practice various fitness forms, including dancing, and Alaya, too, has developed a liking for it. She shares, “For a long time, I was a bad dancer, so when I wanted to learn how to dance properly, I started doing it for seven hours a day. There was no other way for me to learn. It became a great form of workout for me, and it’s super fun!”

Those who have worked with Anurag Kashyap will tell you how the filmmaker serves as a source of inspiration to them. It’s no different for Alaya F. For the actor who features in the upcoming Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat, Kashyap is God-sent — one who showed faith in her when nobody in the industry did.

“Almost Pyaar was the first film I signed, even before my debut vehicle, Jawaani Jaaneman [2020]. At the time, I was facing back-to-back rejections. People would praise [my reel], but I would never hear back from them. This confused me about the industry, and made me doubt myself. But when I showed my reel to Anurag sir, he said, ‘I have a film that’s perfect for you.’ There was no more discussion; he offered me the film,” recounts Alaya.

That moment transformed the then-newcomer’s perspective. Then on, she went to auditions with renewed confidence. “That someone like him could believe in me gave me unparalleled confidence. It made me think I am worthy of being in the industry. I credit all the things that I got later, to that moment with sir. In a way, my career changed after that.”

Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat, co-starring Karan Mehta, had its premiere at the Marrakech International Film Festival last month. While the romantic drama was in the making for the past four years, Alaya made a promising debut with Jawaani Jaaneman, which released only weeks before the pandemic hit in 2020. Last year, she bagged Freddy, and the remake of the Kannada thriller, U-Turn. 

She says that collaborating with Kashyap made her an assured actor who could juggle these different projects. “Anurag sir throws you into a world of filmmaking where everything is different from the normal way. After you’ve grasped that world, you feel a lot more prepared as an actor. When Freddy came to me, I had no time to prep, but working on Almost Pyaar had given me the confidence [that I’ll pull it off].”

Her start in the movies may have been slow, owing to the pandemic, but her hard work has earned her promising roles in Ekta Kapoor’s Ek Aur Ghazab Kahani, and Rajkummar Rao-led Sri.

Actor Alaya F, who was seen in Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), is excited about 2022, as she has three projects lined up for release. Talking about how the past two years have been rather tough for her, she says, “It was mentally taxing for me to be away from the public eye for so long. I also had staff salaries to pay. I kept wondering that I’ll have to go back and ask my parents for their help and I hadn’t done that in three years!”

And that’s when she decided to use her free time productively. “After a point, I realised I can be super stressed and anxious about it or use this time as a blessing and work on myself. So, I invested my time and energy into social media and it became my way to remain visible,” she shares, adding, “During the lockdowns, social media was the biggest blessing for me. It paved the way for all the brands I endorse now. I found my social media identity and it added so much to the actor in me.”

On the personal front, the 24-year-old tested positive for Coronavirus a while ago and feels that it’s her yoga regime that prevented the coronavirus from impacting her immunity: “I feel this is the time when we should aim to be as healthy as we can. After the second lockdown, I was working non-stop. Now, I am slowly trying to get back to being as strong as I can be.”

In October last year, her mother, actor Pooja Bedi, tested positive and was trolled for being unvaccinated. “I’ve regular conversations with my mother, where I tell her to get jabbed. I keep pulling her leg since she isn’t permitted to enter any place that requires people to produce their vaccination certificates. But I’m fully vaccinated and so is everyone else in my family,” Alaya ends.

Alaya F, who is currently shooting for a supernatural thriller, says she feels blessed to be in the limelight. “It does get overwhelming, in a positive way, but that is what you work for. I think it’s more fun than anything because every day is a new experience and I’m really enjoying it,” says Alaya, adding, “You have to realise that you’re blessed to be doing this and putting things into perspective.”

Alaya had the opportunity of working with Saif Ali Khan and Tabu in her debut film Jawaani Jaaneman, which she feels helped her learn a great deal, but sharing screen space with Kartik Aaryan for the upcoming Freddy was also fulfilling. So, how different were the experiences?

Alaya replies, “Actually not very different! Whether it is Kartik or Saif sir or Tabu ma’am, these people really know what they do and they have a very strong hold over the performances. All of them were so generous and it was wonderful to be around them as I was able to learn and grow in that environment. I feel grateful to have worked with such lovely people so early on in my career.”

Alaya doesn’t mind admitting that she is extremely competitive as an artiste. She shares, “I’m very competitive but I think it’s important to ensure that the competitiveness doesn’t become negative.”

Alaya says, “There are people who are doing such wonderful work. You look up to them and want to do better. If the competitiveness is not productive, it doesn’t serve any purpose. It will only add to everyone’s already existing stress.”

Having said that, she ensures that she makes it a point to keep in touch with the work of her contemporaries like Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor and Ananya Panday because she feels they’re all doing incredibly well. “I have a great deal to learn from all of them,” she says.

Alaya’s mother, actress Pooja Bedi, is known for portraying Devika in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). Ask Alaya if she would play the character if ever a remake was on the cards, and she says, “I think that would be too gimmicky. Besides, we are very different as actors. She was known for different things and I’m very new so I don’t really know what I’m known for. Instead, I would like to play the role that Ayesha Jhulka ma’am played. I think that would be interesting and fun if there was ever a remake of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.”

From flaunting stretch marks, to posting no-makeup selfies, and goofy videos, Alaya feels it is important for her to keep things real on social media. “So many people are being ‘perfect’ that someone has to be imperfect,” she says, adding, “I’m not perfect in any way and I don’t think anyone really is! It is crucial for everyone, especially young girls and boys out there, to realise that many things are filtered and tailor-made for Instagram. And while I’m all for the glamour side of it, I want people to know that looking glamourous is just a part of my job; it’s not who I am in real life! So, adding authenticity to my social media posts is imperative. It is something that just comes naturally to me.”

Many young celebrities have spoken about dealing with mental health issues. Alaya feels it is an important step in normalising mental health. “Everyone is currently going through mental health struggles. Nobody can stay strong through everything and that’s okay. The more we talk about it, the more people realise that they are not alone – and that makes it a lot more comforting!” she adds.

Alaya says the biggest lesson she learnt in 2021 was to slow down and breathe. “I was always someone who felt guilty about taking a moment to myself or not giving 1000% to every single thing that I was doing. I’ve realised that hustle causes a lot of stress. This year, I learnt to take a break when I needed to. This is something that I will definitely carry into the years ahead, because taking time out for myself and my mental health is important,” she explains.

On a parting note, Alaya says she hopes for a productive 2022. “I really wish for great opportunities and I hope that I can do justice to those opportunities,” she says, before signing off.

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Alaya feels it would be exciting to portray a character from the LGBTQIA+ community. “I actively want to do diverse roles and I don’t want to put myself in a certain bracket. Playing a queer character onscreen would be great because the more films there are on queer issues, the more it will help in ensuring visibility for the community, along with normalising the conversation around it. Cinema plays a big part in influencing how people view certain things and it can help change narratives. I would love to play a key character that’s queer,” she asserts.