Alia Bhatt’s hairstylist opens up about the realities of ‘working in Bollywood’: Why talent isn’t always enough

Celebrity hairstylist Amit Thakur shares seven lessons from his Bollywood career, from building client trust and managing emotions to knowing when to say ‘no’.

Celebrity hairstylist Amit Thakur, who has worked with some of the biggest names in India, including Nita Ambani, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Alia Bhatt, often shares valuable hair care and professional insights with his Instagram family. In his June 24 and July 9 posts, Amit opened up about the lessons he has learned while working as a freelance artist in Bollywood, from building trust with clients to managing emotions and protecting one's professional reputation.

Confidence and understanding people matter

Amit’s first lesson was that clients are not always buying into an artist’s skill alone. “Clients are buying into your confidence, not always your skill.” He explained that clients feel safer when professionals communicate clearly, set expectations and show that they can deliver. Being organised in your approach towards your work can also help build trust.

His second lesson was to “stop admiring people and start understanding them”. Whether it is actors, directors, producers or members of the crew, Amit said people remember and connect with those who genuinely listen to understand rather than simply agreeing with everything.

He also highlighted the importance of emotional stability in building a long career. “People who last very long in their careers are not necessarily the most talented ones. They’re the ones who are emotionally stable and they know how to control their emotions at work or around work.” According to him, consistency, professionalism and being easy to work with can be crucial to sustaining a career.

Reputation and knowing when to say no

In the second part of his series, Amit spoke about the importance of professional reputation, saying, “Your reputation travels faster than you do.” He explained that people talk, particularly in creative industries, and a single interaction with someone can follow you for years.

He also said that knowing when to say no can sometimes be more valuable than accepting every opportunity. “Saying no to certain jobs can sometimes make you more money or can be crucial in your life.” Amit clarified that a project does not necessarily have to be bad for everyone to be the wrong choice; it can simply be “bad for you in that moment” in your career.

Why professionalism comes before inspiration

Amit then shared a lesson that he acknowledged could be controversial: “Inspiration is overrated.” While he draws inspiration from people, life and his surroundings, he said that as a professional artist, he cannot wait for inspiration to strike before creating. “Professionalism comes before inspiration.”

One of Amit’s most interesting observations was about fame and insecurity. “Fame does not solve your insecurities.” Based on his experience of working with celebrities, he said everyone deals with insecurities, although their nature may differ. Some people may worry about relevance or competition, while others may struggle with concerns around money, looks, or public opinion. “Success and fame, according to me, change the face of the insecurity but not its existence," he says.

Through his reflections, Amit offered a glimpse into the realities of working in Bollywood, highlighting how communication, emotional maturity, consistency and professionalism can be just as important as talent when it comes to building a lasting career.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.