Alia Bhatt has firmly established herself in the Hindi film industry since her debut in Karan Johar’s “Student of the Year” in 2012. However, her father, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, offers a nuanced perspective on her career while praising her recent film choices.
In an interview with India Today, Mahesh Bhatt marveled at Alia’s transformation. “I didn’t understand when this girl from Juhu, exposed to our home and living a normal family life, got the accent right of an Adivasi from Chhattisgarh. It was amazing. I was astounded by that,” he said.
He continued, “Her raw power and ability to get into such a vulnerable space and bare her heart. Films like ‘Highway’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ marked a departure from the girl who was just a mannequin in ‘Student of the Year.’ You see the evolution in your child.”
Mahesh Bhatt is known for his candidness and progressive views. In a past interview, he discussed his diverse family background and the influence of his parents. “I had the best of both worlds. My mother was a Shia Muslim, while my father was a janoi-clad man. He never pretended to be secular. Both retained their individual faiths and were madly in love but never indulged in the farce of wanting to do things the other way,” he shared, according to Hindustan Times.
Bhatt also recalled the 1992 communal riots and his mother’s concerns. “My mother always wore this big tika and saree. She felt her minority status might interfere with our daily lives. She was a little embarrassed when I flaunted my Muslim roots. She was worried about me during the communal riots in 1992.”
Mahesh Bhatt’s reflections highlight Alia’s impressive journey and her ability to transcend her initial roles. As she continues to make bold choices in her career, her father’s insights provide a deeper understanding of her evolution as an actor and individual.
