I'm not a star yet, I have a long way to go: Alia Bhatt

Published November 19, 2014
Alia Bhatt. - Photo courtesy: Santa Banta
Alia Bhatt. - Photo courtesy: Santa Banta

With a string of hit movies, it seems like Alia Bhatt can do no wrong. From playing a ditzy high school queen bee in Student of the Year to showing the emotional depth of a woman who suffers from Stockholm Syndrome in Highway, there is no doubting her talent. However, it is evident that Alia has not let that get to her head and remains grounded and determined to do even better.

Talking to Hindustan Times, the budding actor explains she is no 'star' just yet and that this is just the beginning of her journey: "Honestly, I feel stardom comes with a body of work. I don’t feel like any of us (the younger lot) are stars right now, at least I feel I’m not a star yet. I have done just four films."

Even though all four of those movies (Student of the Year, Highway, 2 States and Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania) have been hugely successful, the young celebrity still feels hesitant about the term 'star', stating: "I don’t think I have reached that stage. Stardom comes with consistent quality work, which is exactly what I want to do. I feel fortunate that I have had four hits, but I still feel I have a long way to go."

Hailing from a family that is infringed in Bollywood, including director Mahesh Bhatt and actor Pooja Bhatt, one can assume that Alia wanted to be part of the industry from a young age. According to her sister, Pooja, the 21-year-old has wanted stardom since she was a child.

The 2 States leading lady recalls her naivety: "When I was small, I asked my mother what my name meant. She told me "it means something high up in the sky". Alia literally means exalted, but if you explain it to a kid, you define it in very simple terms. So, when I would look up towards the sky, I would see stars and I would say "oh, I am a star".

"It was a very innocent, childish thing," she says.

Something that is unknown about the actor is that she had auditioned for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Black in 2005 as a child.

Giving further details about the incident, she conveys: "Yes. It was a sweet experience. Actually, I met Sonam Kapoor recently and she reminded me, saying, "Alia, do you remember I was there when you had come to audition?" At that time, I was like 10 or 11. I was really small. Of course, I didn’t make the cut, but it was nice to meet Sanjay (Leela Bhansali) sir."

Bhatt also dismissed rumours that had been circulating in the media about her possibly being a part of the remake of Ram Lakhan, clarifying and saying: "Nothing (like news reports claim) has come to me".

The promising newcomer will be next seen in Vikas Bahl's Shaandar, opposite Shahid Kapoor.

Opinion

First line of defence

First line of defence

Pakistan’s foreign service has long needed reform to be able to adapt to global changes and leverage opportunities in a more multipolar world.

Editorial

Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
31 Mar, 2025

Women’s rights

PAKISTAN’S legal system has issued some important rulings in recent days concerning women, which deserve more...
Not helping
31 Mar, 2025

Not helping

THE continued detention of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leaders — including Dr Mahrang Baloch in Quetta and Sammi ...
Hard habits
Updated 30 Mar, 2025

Hard habits

Their job is to ensure that social pressures do not build to the point where problems like militancy and terrorism become a national headache.
Dreams of gold
30 Mar, 2025

Dreams of gold

PROSPECTS of the Reko Diq project taking off soon seem to have brightened lately following the completion of the...
No invitation
30 Mar, 2025

No invitation

FOR all of Pakistan’s hockey struggles, including their failure to qualify for the Olympics and World Cup as well...