Ever since she made her Bollywood debut in 2012,
career has been on the upswing. Thrilled with the audience’s acceptance and box office performance of her films, the 21-year-old is now keen on showing her gratitude towards the one person who has been there for her all this while — her mother, Soni Razdan.
In this interview, Alia talks about buying a house for her mum, coming to terms with the ‘female serial kisser’ tag, and dealing with rumoured link-ups.
Read I want to play a psychotic killer: Alia Bhatt
We’ve heard you are planning to buy a house in London, UK, for your mother, Soni Razdan. Is this true?
I have to work much harder for that. But that’s definitely a dream. I want to buy her a house either in London or somewhere in the mountains. She has given me so much; this is the least I can do. So, I am working towards achieving that. But right now, I am definitely planning to buy a house for myself in Mumbai. I don’t want to move out [of my family house] yet, but it’s more of an investment.
Your cousin Emraan Hashmi was the only ‘serial kisser’ in the industry before you came along. Now, you’re being called Bollywood’s ‘female serial kisser’. Do you see yourself competing with him?
I think Emraan made a very interesting comment recently when he said that I will need a long time to do that. He also said that I will have to work much harder (smiles). And I believe what he said; even I feel that you can’t take that title away from him so easily.
But at one point, Emraan got tired of the tag.
I just hope it (the ‘serial kisser’ tag) remains in the family (smiles). Plus, I feel the country loves watching Emraan kiss. A kiss, like a hug, is a simple and romantic gesture [in movies]. But there’s no romance that goes into kissing on the big screen. It’s very mechanical.
Over the last few years, you have been linked with several young actors including Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. Do you think these rumours take away from the hard work you put into your films?
I really hope they don’t, because I am very serious and passionate about what I do. I am not one of those people who will say things like, ‘I don’t believe in having a boyfriend’. I am quite open about these things, and currently, I am only in a relationship with my work. And I am happy about that.
But a lot of Bollywood actors feel overwhelmed by the rumours?
I feel that link-ups are a part and parcel of the profession. As long as nothing is specifically hurting me or my family — I am okay. Also, whenever I am asked a question, I always clarify.
So, are you in a relationship currently?
I am just not in that space right now. Even if there is something, I will not talk about it. I am honest about that, too. I have kept it that way, and will continue to keep it that way throughout my career because a lot of focus gets shifted to whether you’re dating someone or who it is... And I don’t think that’s what I want to be talked about; in that light. Relationships are bound to happen in everybody’s life, but people are just more curious about our [actors’] lives.
There were reports about you looking too young to team up with senior actors like the Khans. What’s your take on it?
Age doesn’t make a difference. For me, it will obviously be a dream come true to work with actors whom I have grown up watching on screen all my life. And I hope that it happens someday. I worked with Randeep Hooda (Highway), who is much older than me, in my second film. So, I think I broke that myth then itself.
Apparently, Amitabh Bachchan sent a hand-written note of appreciation to you recently.
Yes, it was one of the most exciting days of my life. I was shooting for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania when a special note came for me, and it was meant for my performance in Highway.
I have kept it with a lot of care, and it will stay with me forever. He also sent across a text message to me after watching 2 States. The films have, of course, done well, but Mr Bachchan’s praise has only made it more special.
Your cousin Emraan Hashmi was the only ‘serial kisser’ in the industry before you came along. Now, you’re being called Bollywood’s ‘female serial kisser’. Do you see yourself competing with him?
I think Emraan made a very interesting comment recently when he said that I will need a long time to do that. He also said that I will have to work much harder (smiles). And I believe what he said; even I feel that you can’t take that title away from him so easily.
But at one point, Emraan got tired of the tag.
I just hope it (the ‘serial kisser’ tag) remains in the family (smiles). Plus, I feel the country loves watching Emraan kiss. A kiss, like a hug, is a simple and romantic gesture [in movies]. But there’s no romance that goes into kissing on the big screen. It’s very mechanical.
Over the last few years, you have been linked with several young actors including Arjun Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. Do you think these rumours take away from the hard work you put into your films?
I really hope they don’t, because I am very serious and passionate about what I do. I am not one of those people who will say things like, ‘I don’t believe in having a boyfriend’. I am quite open about these things, and currently, I am only in a relationship with my work. And I am happy about that.
But a lot of Bollywood actors feel overwhelmed by the rumours?
I feel that link-ups are a part and parcel of the profession. As long as nothing is specifically hurting me or my family — I am okay. Also, whenever I am asked a question, I always clarify.
So, are you in a relationship currently?
I am just not in that space right now. Even if there is something, I will not talk about it. I am honest about that, too. I have kept it that way, and will continue to keep it that way throughout my career because a lot of focus gets shifted to whether you’re dating someone or who it is... And I don’t think that’s what I want to be talked about; in that light. Relationships are bound to happen in everybody’s life, but people are just more curious about our [actors’] lives.
There were reports about you looking too young to team up with senior actors like the Khans. What’s your take on it?
Age doesn’t make a difference. For me, it will obviously be a dream come true to work with actors whom I have grown up watching on screen all my life. And I hope that it happens someday. I worked with Randeep Hooda (Highway), who is much older than me, in my second film. So, I think I broke that myth then itself.
Apparently, Amitabh Bachchan sent a hand-written note of appreciation to you recently.
Yes, it was one of the most exciting days of my life. I was shooting for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania when a special note came for me, and it was meant for my performance in Highway.
I have kept it with a lot of care, and it will stay with me forever. He also sent across a text message to me after watching 2 States. The films have, of course, done well, but Mr Bachchan’s praise has only made it more special.