DNA Anniversary - Alia Bhatt: The Superstar of Tomorrow

Six years ago, when Karan Johar launched Alia Bhatt in the teenybopper romantic flick, Student Of The Year (SOTY), many people thought the actress didn't bring much to the table than make-up and colourful pouts. But they found themselves eating their words when they saw Mahesh Bhatt's young daughter in the promo of her second film Imtiaz Ali's Highway (2014). Not only was it a brave choice for someone with a candyfloss debut but her portrayal was nuanced, evolved and sensitive. Alia was top-notch right in her second outing as the girl who falls in love with her kidnapper played by Randeep Hooda.

Maybe Alia realised that SOTY gave her the positioning and recognition a newbie needs but to reach out to the masses, she needed to do more. With Highway, she also quashed notions about the kind of films a new actor aiming to be a star should be part of. None of her contemporaries, or even seniors, plunged into unconventional cinema right after their maiden project. Over the next few years, Alia continued to deliver box-office hits that consolidated her place in the top league and also the hearts of her audiences.

A path less travelled

From the current generation of actresses, Alia's choices have been categorically different as well as a fascinating mix of commercial and unconventional roles. For every Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), there was a Kapoor & Sons (2016), for a 2 States (2014), there was an Udta Punjab(2016). Interestingly, the first time Alia paired with a leading superstar was in Gauri Shinde's Dear Zindagi (2016), which revolved completely around her, despite starring a biggie like Shah Rukh Khan. And boy, she owned the film and how! In an interview dated May 5 this year, she told me, "I'm not scared of risks. You need to see if it's a fruitful, worthwhile experience. Sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. But you need to understand what is working for you at a particular time.

Racing ahead

With producers and different filmmakers queuing up to cast her and a bankable box-office record, Alia has raced miles ahead of everyone in the industry. In her career so far, the only flop she has had is Shaandaar (2015). And recently, she carried an entire film on her shoulders Meghna Gulzar's Raazi, which had the 25-year-old toplining the cast. The movie netted over Rs 100 crore at the domestic box office, establishing Alia's hold at the cash registers as well. She has managed to have consistency in her performances.

Alia Bhatt with mother Soni Razdan

Future female superstar

Slowly and steadily, Alia is emerging as one of the biggest heroines of this generation. While Deepika Padukone has had a meteoric rise in her career, Alia is the only actor in her 20s who has managed to create such frenzy about her. Just like Sridevi and Hema Malini did in their 20s, this 25-year-old is inching closer to the superstar tag'. On social media, too, Alia always figures on top, along with Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. A few more superhits and Alia will perch herself in a league of her own, much like the way DP is revered.

Darling of brands

Alia's twinkly and upbeat personality has attracted several leading brands to get her on board as their ambassador. She is one of the top choices for advertisers and at this young an age, she's the face of an array of powerful names in cola, mobile phone, electricals, jewellery, online travel company and so on. All in all, she has over a dozen endorsements in her kitty already. Brand darling much?

An animal lover

A self-confessed animal lover, Alia has always been keen on starting a shelter for the four-legged species. While plans for that are still in place, she has started CoExist a welfare movement that aims at reducing the conflict between humans, animals and the environment. In its second year, the team has now announced its second part called Find Your Green. "The inclination to do something in this space was always there, she told After Hrs (February 7, 2018). "As an actor, I get to enjoy a huge reach. I always wanted to do something good, after being in the position where I'm today. I feel passionately about animals. Having said that, we also need to be protective of our country, world and space. If we only take care of our place and don't worry about the world, then it's a selfish way to lead our lives. My aim is to create as much awareness as I can, she said.

Strong-willed

On the personal front, too, Alia exudes warmth and positivity when you're around her. She doesn't need words to charm a person, her personality and manners are enough. Undoubtedly one of the leading ladies today, she carries forward the legacy and baton for women in the industry that's plagued by pay disparity, sexism and other moth-eaten moralities. She stands her ground, matching her male counterparts shoulder-to-shoulder and that's a sign of a strong-willed individual. "Pompom leke ladko ke liye chillana mera style nahin hain, her character announced right in the beginning of her debut film. It's a happy space when you witness that becoming a reality today.

THE SYNONYM FOR EASY CHIC

Always up-to-the-second on-trend and impossibly chic, the incredibly talented Alia Bhatt has proved herself to be the powerful clothes horse time and again. The petite beauty has worn shorts, jeans, culottes, gowns and dungarees and hasn't shied away from rocking a pair of velvet pants at the airport. However, one common thread running across all her looks is her unparalleled love for the classic denim separates, which she often layers with biker leather jackets and sporty, souvenir bombers. Of late, she's been on a killing spree with her tone-on-tone festive attires be it her white salwar kameezes or concept kurtas teamed with palazzos. What makes her an interesting study is the fact that she wears the clothes and clothes never wear her. She's proved her acting mettle on the silver screen and has emerged triumphant in fashion, too.

Seriously, Alia is rightly called over-hyped sometimes. The whole article reeks of PR, and subtle digs here and there at her contemporaries.