At 21, Alia is four films old and one of the most sought-after actresses in the Hindi film industry. Already touted as the next big thing, Alia’s run so far in the industry is being compared to the feat of established superstars like Deepika Padukone. The young actress doesn’t seem to mind the comparison. Alia says, “Success is a big high. Deepika has had a fabulous stint at the box office. It’s commendable the way she has sustained her success. She’s way senior but one thing that I feel we both have in common is our script sense.”
She has been working without a break ever since she started out with Student Of The Year. Her fourth film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania has just released and Alia has been busy promoting it over the last month. Despite her hectic schedules, Alia doesn’t believe in long sleep hours. “There was a time when I would crave for sleep and end up sleeping way more than eight hours. Now I don’t sleep for more than six,” she says. Unlike her contemporaries she doesn’t prefer spending long hours in the gym either. “I have lost about 20 kilos to look good in everything I wear. I don’t endorse a crash diet. My weight loss is a result of a good combination of healthy eating and a balanced workout regime. I am particular about little things like taking the stairs when it’s a question of just a few floors. I want to be a good role model for my generation,” Alia says. She also goes on to reveal a stress buster routine that helps her recharge her batteries. “Recently, someone gave me this priceless piece of advice to put my legs knee deep in warm salt water. It works like magic. I also like to wrap my face in a cold towel for a while. Promotional activities can get very hectic and these small home remedies help me a lot to restore my energies,” she says.
A while ago her statement “I’m no saint” had triggered off a lot of speculation about her personal life. “Look, I’m a responsible girl. I’d be lying if I said I don’t socialise. Occasionally, I do party and have a drink. I wouldn’t say or do anything that is not legal,” she says. The free-spirited Alia is also quite attached to her parents. “I’m often asked if I’d like to live on my own. At this age, I need my parents around. I feel comfortable and secure with them. Also, I’m scared of the dark. That’s one more reason why I wouldn’t dare to stay alone. A few years down the line, maybe… But no immediate plans,” she says.
Alia believes she has inherited her professional questions from her father Mahesh Bhatt. “He has always believed in pushing boundaries. He advises me not to leave any stone unturned while working on a film, even in sickness. My mom, on the other hand, is very caring and sometimes asks me to cancel a commitment if I am unwell. But I don’t like to not work because of petty health problems. To an extent, I’m a workaholic like my father,” says the actress. Alia goes on to share a childhood memory about her father. “When I was in school, I would love to massage my father’s feet when he would come home from work. It was something I did out of love but then he would also reward me with a kadak '500 note every time,” she remembers with a smile. “Daughters too have a way of mothering their fathers. I love to take care of him when he’s sick. I pamper him and make sure he takes his medicines on time.”
She tries hard to spend time with her mother (Soni Razdan) too. “Owing to our busy schedules, we really have to try hard to make time for each other. Recently, I had to go to Manali for an endorsement and I decided to take her along. We got to chat a lot during that time. She loves Manali and we also shopped for some lovely things while we were there.” Alia also shares a close bond with her sister Shaheen. “She is a strong support system. She understands me the best. She provides the third-person perspective, she encourages me to rethink and improve on my drawbacks. Her honest and blunt feedback helps me improve. For instance, I tend to speak very fast but she always makes me practice speaking slowly and space out my words.”
After some scene-stealing performances in Highway and 2 States, Alia has clearly left her Student Of The Year days behind her. This Alia is a lot more self-assured and mature. “Of course I’ve to be more cautious. A lot of things I said in the past were blown out of proportion. People made jokes out of it. Yes, I’m Mahesh Bhatt’s daughter and a successful actor but I’m just 21. Initially, I thought people were being mean to me. I would invariably become the butt of every joke. It used to upset me but not anymore. The fact that I cross someone’s mind in the day makes me believe that I’m important. It’s very reassuring that I make a difference and that makes me happy,” he says.
Alia intends to take a short vacation, now that Humpty… has already hit the theatres. “I don’t remember taking a day off since SOTY. But I also have to start on my workshops with Shahid Kapoor for Vikas Bahl’s Shandaar and I’m really looking forward to that. Barring Randeep Hooda, I haven’t had the chance of working with an established actor. Working with Arjun, Sid or Varun was like working with friends. Working with an actor I don’t know too well will be a new experience. One has to work on the chemistry and screen comfort. I’m sure that will have its own charm and add to our performance in Shandaar.”
