I am not apologetic about whatever success I have achieved: Alia Bhatt

What a year Alia Bhatt has had! Beginning with a sterling performance in Highway she scored box-office success with 2 States and Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya .At the end of the year Alia talks to us about her fears uncertainties and hopes for the coming year .

Looking back, what does 2014 mean to you?

It’s hard to define the year. It was times of hyper-activity.Things were changing constantly. My eyes were wide open. Yes, it was sparkling year.

So much happening to your career so suddenly. Was it too much to handle?

My fear is not that. My fear is, what if it all goes away? What if one day I am not busy at all? I like this feeling of being constantly busy. I don’t want to ever get up with the feeling that I’ve nothing to look forward to. I like the rush of adrenaline that I feel every day. It isn’t as if I don’t get time to spend with my family and friends. It’s just been two years for me in the film industry. I am enjoying myself .I should be doing more, not less.

This year you leapt into the top league with three hits. How have you adjusted to this sudden change in your destiny?

I will be honest. I am not apologetic about whatever success I have achieved. But I am not aware of my stardom. I am constantly striving to improve myself. And I’ve no qualms in admitting I’ve worked really hard to get here. I do work hard so I like it when people say, ‘She’s hard working.’ I come to the sets on time, so I like it when people say, ‘She’s punctual.’  I do all this because I want to be spoken of as a thorough professional who also happens to be a good actor.

Do you enjoy travelling for shooting?

I am an inquisitive and excited traveller, so I do like to take time off to travel independent of work. And I will take time off to take a holiday every year. That’s a promise I made to myself. And visit a place I’ve not seen. The experiences that you create for yourself help you to grow as a person. I need those experiences to feed on. I am happy working hard and taking an annual holiday. And of course my mom joins me for my shootings whenever she can.

Did your mom join you for the shooting of Shaandaar in Europe?

She was supposed to. But there was a change in my schedule and she couldn’t join me. Now she’ll get busy directing a film. So she’ll have no time for me.

Your mom is directing a film with other actors. Does that make you jealous?

Why should it make me jealous? I am just so excited that she is directing a film again. This film (Love Affair) has no role suitable for me. I wouldn’t like to be in it just for the heck of it. In our family it doesn’t work that way. I still haven’t worked with my father’s production house.

This year you did a short film with Vikas Bahl about the issue of women’s safety. What made you do that?

I was asked if I’d do a short film on women’s empowerment directed by Vikas Bahl. That was enough incentive to do it After Vikas told me the script I was even more excited about doing this film. I thought it was quite an interesting take on women’s safety. While watching the video the viewer is immediately scared for the girl because she is left in a car with five boys. We need to change that. Girls alone on the streets need not fear the boys. Why should we be scared? The digital space and the social media has helped so much in creating awareness of issues related to working women.

Has being an actor made you more conscious of these issues?

Oh, most definitely. I am constantly hanging around with people who talk about these issues. My knowledge may be limited. But there is a hunger to discover more about life. I’ve inherited this hunger from my family. If I am a curious soul the credit goes to my parents and my sister Shaheen.

What about the other video that you did where you made fun of your own poor GK?

I did it to have a good laugh. And yes, I did it so after that people would know that I can take a joke on myself. When all those jokes about my lack of general knowledge started I was asked if I was feeling bad when they made fun of me for not knowing who the President of India was on Karan Johar’s show. I knew the answer. Just in my haste to win the hamper I said something stupid.

I don’t think it’s a big deal to not know an answer on a talk show?

It’s not as if I know all the answers. But I’m willing to learn. And if I asked a politician to name all the brands that actresses wear, would he have an answer? The brands are something I know. There are many things that many people don’t know.

Tell about your films in 2015?

I’ve shot for just one film this year. So I’ll have just one release next year. And I am okay with that. It just happened that way.

Are you looking forward to the awards for Highway?

Of course I want the awards. I don’t know if I am going to get them. But honestly I feel I’ve had a really blessed year. Recently I was at an event in the college. And they were dancing to my song. That brought tears to my eyes. That was my biggest high.

Are you by nature a happy person?

I’ve a fear of being happy. Because I fear grief is around the corner. I am Piscean. And I am a complete drama queen.

Do you get stifled by the constant attention?

No. When people stop looking at me is when I am will get really worried.