ALAYA F

HELLO! STEPS INTO THE GLAMOROUS WORLD OF THE PRETTY AND PETITE ACTOR, AS SHE SHARES WHAT SHE HAS UP HER SLEEVE NEXT...

-  NAYARE ALI

She's currently shooting in Scotland for a film with an ensemble cast that's been kept under wraps for a while. That's where we found the chirpy, confident actor move to It's the Time to Disco' from Kal Ho Na Ho, in a reel that was viewed over 630,000 times, unsurprisingly earning instant love from Karan Johar and Preity Zinta. And to think it all took shape spontaneously...

"I was scrolling through reels and noticed this choreography that seemed simple enough. Initially, only my hair and makeup team was going to dance with me. But soon enough, the costume team and Manushi Chhillar, who was around at the time, joined in," she shares, recalling the experience with a smile.

VALIDATION FROM A SUPERSTAR

Today, Alaya has good reason to dance and celebrate. She was recently ‘validated’ for her talent by global icon and superstar Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who identified her as an actor in India with tremendous potential.

“I haven’t met her in person, but when Priyanka was promoting my nana’s (Kabir Bedi’s) book Stories I Must Tell, she told him over a Zoom interview that I had promise and potential. I was on such a high that day! This time, I woke up in Scotland to a message from my mother. She had sent me a clip of Priyanka making this statement… I was shaking!”

“I’ve looked up to Priyanka since before I became an actor. To have someone you’ve admired and loved for so long see the potential in you is an incredible feeling.”

In Alaya, we observe a sense of calm confidence, besides a drive to prove herself and all the talent brimming over. Does she feel a sense of responsibility and pressure, given her following and expectations of her? We wonder out loud…