I have to be aware of my actions & words: Alia Bhatt

I have to be aware of my actions & words'

The five-film-old, pretty successful Alia Bhatt on how she's changed over the years since her Bollywood debut, how she's become more aware and still knows the right thing to say...

Upala KBR

Alia Bhatt has proved her mettle in the very short time that she has been part of the industry. The actress has done five films and each was different and each proved that she was getting better at her craft. She is perhaps the youngest actress with the fastest growth. With her newest film releasing this week, Alia talks about growing up and getting wiser. Read on...

In what ways are you different than from the time you began acting " as a person and an actor?

Professionally, I am five films old. That's the biggest achievement (laughs). Personally, I find myself to be (in today's age) way more careful with what's happening around me, be more responsible, obsessed with fitness, obsessed with just maintaining good relations with my family, friends and loved ones. I don't think I understood the value of relationships or of maintaining them earlier. Now, as I understand things more, growing up in the public eye, there's definitely a visual change and a mental one as well. Now, conversations have become so much more important. I think I have become calmer, way more relaxed and am more at ease. I have also become more hard-working. In the beginning, I was hard-working too, but then I was a little confused, learning, taking it all in, now there's a certain amount of stability that's come in me. But I am definitely not quieter (laughs). I am as spunky as before. I think I have become more responsible as it comes hand-in-hand with the profession and being in the public eye. I can't do or say what I want. And I can't say that I don't want it. If you want to be an actor, want to be famous and be the celebrity that you are, then you have to take the responsibility of being who you are and also responsibility in your words and actions.

How?

I have to be aware of my actions and words. One should say what one want to, but yet be correct. That I am aware of. Sometimes I do have my foot-in-the-mouth situations, but that I can't help, that will happen. Being aware is good for me, but sometimes it's a bit of a drawback. I feel that I missed that bit of a nave part of myself where I didn't know what was happening. I was a little more untouched and vulnerable ki kya ho raha hai, kya nahi ho raha hai... Now I am a little bit more grown-up and that takes away a little bit of that joy of not knowing. But I am still trying to retain that. My goal is to, with each film, delete the fact that I have done any films before this, just to cut off because then you don't walk around with the baggage of being yourself. It's difficult. I can't forget my work, but at least I can't carry that baggage around. It's the work that you leave behind is what makes you who you are.

While you have become more aware about what's happening around you today, you don't post your views on socio-politico-economic issues on social media.

I am tuned in about what's happening, but I find it not important to give my opinion. If asked I will give it, otherwise I will not and I will tell you why. It is such a hyper, opinionated time that I think that the Twitter world is okay with one less opinion. There are too many opinions " some unnecessary, some great, some ridiculously stupid so I think I rather not say anything and keep my opinions to myself. I have an opinion, I know what my thoughts are but I keep them to myself.

If I asked you if there is intolerance in India today?

(Smiles knowingly) Again, I would add to the statement I made " it is a hyper-opinionated time even about these opinions, so I am not doing anybody any harm by giving one less opinion. Why should I crowd the world with my opinions? Live and let live. That's it. Let people have their own opinions and you just keep yours to yourself.

We see a lot of Pooja Bhatt in you. Is it conscious or inherent?

In what sense do you see the similarities?

The way you talk, what you talk... Candid, forthright, strong opinions, love for animals... Need I go on?

Yes... We come from the same family, brought up by the same person (Mahesh Bhatt). Yes, Pooja and I both both love animals. As a family, we are all big-time animal lovers. Mum loves animals. Now we have even got our father to love animals. Earlier he would be like Aye, go away!' We have changed that. Pooja and I come from the same blood, we are loud, excited, proud, opinionated, honest people and we want the world to think that we are right.