Alia Bhatt Is In A Happy Space Right Now

From being awestruck by the 'Fairytale' world of films to viewing it as just a job... Alia Bhatt is a work in progress.

- Suman Sharma

Destiny’s child. That’s Alia Bhatt for you. Being an actress was literally in her genes. One expected her to blast her way into the film stratosphere but what wasn’t expected was her discerning film choices. No one would have dreamt that she’d be playing such brave roles as Veera in Highway or Mary Jane in Udta Punjab. She’s all of 23 and has taken more chances than seasoned actors have done in 20 years. Her attitude is that of a ‘forever’ student. Her fascination for the film industry is that of a curious child lost in a carnival… lost but not afraid to soak in all the sounds and sights, as she experiences the roller coaster rides... She remains unaffected by all the brouhaha that surrounds her and has answered every question from the heart… Heart it…

Your act as the Bihari immigrant in Udta Punjab won much applause. Did it demand much preparation?

There was no character reference as such. I kept talking to director Abhishek Chaubey and kept asking him questions about my character, what she’s going through, what she feels, what her natural instincts are… Then, apart from the physical transformation, I also worked on the dialect with Pankaj Tripathi, a well-known theatre and film actor. My body language had to be uninhibited and free. I also played hockey to get the essential toughness and agility.

Was it difficult to unwind each day after doing the intense scenes?