Posted:
Having grown up within a film family, Alia Bhatt's entry into films always seemed inevitable. However, what comes as a surprise is that Alia, Mahesh Bhatt's second daughter, chose to make her foray at a raw age of 19 itself. "Age doesn't matter, my sister (Pooja Bhatt) debuted when she was 17," retorts the very confident debutant and says that she dreamt of becoming an actress since childhood. In an interview for magnamags.com, Alia spoke about debuting with Karan Johar and not her father, her film Student Of The Year and lots more. Excerpts:
Straight from school and onto the sets, how did that work out?
I look at it in two ways. First, I had no experience neither any training so I was literally like a fish out of a pond. So my whole stint has been a learning experience. Second, it was very nerve-wrecked because I was nervous all the time.I didn't even know the A of Acting and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I didn't know where to look, which pitch to say dialogues in, which mark to come on, what light was used etc.
You've managed to surprise everyone by choosing to debut with Dharma Productions despite having a full-fledged production house of your own father.
I had actually decided that I wouldn't start off with my father's production only because it's an easier option. For this film, I had to work for it, lose weight, prove myself etc. there were around 500 girls who had given the auditions along with me and I had actually beat them all to make it to the film. If it were for my father he wouldn't audition another girl alongside me. He would just rope me in. I wanted to learn it the hard way.
Did you also want to prove something to your parents?
Yes, I wanted to make it by myself. I will work with them after my first film.
It's too young an age to make a career choice. How did you decide?
Many actresses started working at a very young age. My sister for that matter started working when she was 17. I had actually decided that I wanted to become an actress when I was much younger! It was a conscious decision that I had to incorporate in my life. I just didn't know it would happen as soon as I finish my college.
Both Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra had assisted Karan Johar and had an idea about the filmmaking process. How was it for you to cope up with everything?
I had no training. It was a very new experience. As far as the production house is concerned they made me feel very comfortable. For the first few days I was a bit nervous and would keep to myself but then eventually we all opened up and it was a lot of fun.
Sidharth in his interview said that you had more exposure than him, since films would literally get discussed in your daily life while he would just watch them as an audience.
Discussions about films happen within friends too. I always knew I wanted to act so I would be consciously involved in such discussions. My father would sometimes make me to watch the first half of any film and ask for my feedback and actually take my suggestions. I was quite involved in films in my house because I was interested and not because it was forced upon me.
Considering the kind of films Bhatt camp makes, was it safe for you to debut with a family entertainer?
You can call it safe. Yes, Bhatt camp makes films that are different. But at the end of the day, it's all about how convincing you are onscreen. Emraan (Hashmi) started with Vishesh Films and today he is a superstar. Though Kareena (Kapoor) started with a commercial film (Refugee), it dealt with a sensitive issue. It was a very intense film.
How much do you follow your father's style of cinema?
Cinema is very open to accept his kind of films now. Look at Gangs Of Wasseypur, both parts were so different from the films that are made here. People actually loved it. So films across all genres are being made now. It isn't only a comedy or entertainment packed industry anymore. I love their (Vishesh Films') films. But that doesn't mean I love all their films. There are films that I don't like and I tell them about it too but there are films that I love as well.
Most of your father's films have been adult rated. Were you allowed to watch them?
I don't consider kissing a taboo. In terms of his recent Jism 2, I am 18 and above and I am allowed to watch it (laughs).
Dharma productions' movies are completely different from the kind of movies your father makes. Did it go down well with him when you decided to work with Karan Johar?
My father didn't have a problem at all. He was very close to Yash (Johar) Uncle. He is very happy because he knew this is the kind of space I fit into. I am very young and fresh right now and Karan is the best to groom me. He knows I am in good hands.
Did you discuss the script with your father?
No, he didn't want to know anything about the film. He said you do what you want and I will watch the film in Gaiety-Galaxy when it releases as an audience. He opted out of knowing anything about the film.
And now that the promos are out, what is his reaction?
Oh he is very excited! Even when my Vogue cover came out in the September Issue he was surprised! He said to me, I didn't know you can pose like this!
Did you have to lose some weight for this film?
Some? (sarcasm) I had to lose a lot of weight for this film. I lost around 16kgs!
Your sister Pooja Bhatt stated that she would want to remake Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi with you starring in it. What are your thoughts on this?
She had just mentioned about this in an interview that if she would ever remake it, she would cast me. But nothing is happening on that front.
You have a father who's a director turned producer, your uncle is a producer while your sister is an actress turned filmmaker, do you think the baggage of expectations on you is a lot more as compared to Varun or Sidharth?
The baggage was the same for all of us. We are all equally nervous because all three of us want to make a mark in the industry. It's a debut film for all of us.
Are you prepared for the comparisons?
Yes, I am prepared for the comparisons. I knew it will follow. My father prepared me for the fact that there will be a lot of rumours, lot of stories written about me. He'd said, 'You may get written off a lot of times.' But it's a part and parcel of being an actress. So I am just going to deal with it.
Does being a Star-Kid put you in a privileged spot?
It only helps in getting the platform. But if you aren't able to deliver then it doesn't help. Karan knew me as Pooja's sister but if I wasn't able to stand out between those 500 girls then he wouldn't have cast me in his film.
Do you keep a tab on what's being written about you?
Yes, I do. But it doesn't affect me. It will only affect me if this film doesn't do well.
Would you be open to intimate scenes or exposing in the future?
I won't do it for the heck of it but if the script demands and it is well justified ill do it. Like in Student Of The Year I have worn a bikini. I was very comfortable doing that because it was required and it isn't that I haven't worn bikini in real life. So what's the big deal?
Indian Idol 16
23