
‘Alia Bhatt is self-made, ambitious unlike Ranbir Kapoor who is laidback,' says Mahesh Bhatt: ‘She has changed, matured after welcoming Raha'
Alia's father, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, also believes his daughter is 'self-made.' 'I didn't launch Alia Bhatt. Karan Johar launched her. I didn't know she had so much thirst for acting in her. She gave the audition herself. I just got to know they loved her work. I was shocked because I hadn't seen any such traits in her even remotely. I'm very happy she's a self-made girl,' said Mahesh.
On The Himanshu Mehta Show, the filmmaker further revealed that the young generation today approach her for pictures only to flaunt that they met Alia Bhatt's father. 'Alia has astounded me! What is unique about her is that she has a taste for taking risks and she's taken the detours into diverse narratives,' added Mahesh.
Alia's father also pointed out that she's gone through 'an alchemical change' after the birth of her daughter Raha Kapoor in 2022. 'I see a new depth in her. With this young girl becoming a mother, there's a coming-of-age of a different kind, a different kind of maturity in her. I'm also looking forward to her new films which would be coming out now,' said Mahesh.
Alia will be next seen headlining Shiv Rawail's spy thriller Alpha, which is a part of Aditya Chopra's YRF Spy Universe. Backed by Yash Raj Films, it's slated to release in cinemas this Christmas on December 25. Next year, Alia will also star alongside real-life husband Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal in Bhansali's romantic drama Love & War.
Mahesh Bhatt also revealed that even Ranbir is in awe of Alia. 'He says, 'Alia is made of different stuff.' When I ask him, 'What do you mean?,' he says, 'Her ambition to do more and more and more is unbelievably astounding!' While he's a person who's very laid-back and comforted, and he just wants to do enough. She's a go-getter,' added Mahesh.
Also Read — Alia Bhatt likes people watching to cheer herself up on bad days: 'I'm not looking into their bedrooms, but..'
The filmmaker agreed that while there are talented nepo babies like Alia and Ranbir, one can't deny the merit that the discussion around nepotism holds. 'Nature is very fair. It's not important that the rose would bloom in only your garden. Nature spreads its jewels across the world. Nepotism is a reality, but it's also not. Just because my child is talented, that doesn't mean I disqualify them,' argued Mahesh.
'But it's definitely easy for them. Because access is success. Talented people don't even get access for years. It's important to understand that the voice that's been raised against nepotism, there's a collective anger behind that. That's why we get to hear about that every other day,' added Mahesh Bhatt.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Sarzameen reduces Indian Army to a prop and that's its biggest failure
When a film chooses to tell a story set against the backdrop of the Indian Army, expectations are naturally high. Audiences look forward to patriotism, action, and stories that show the courage and sacrifices of soldiers. Films like 'Shershaah' and 'Raazi' have raised the bar, with human emotion and gripping narratives rooted in real military and intelligence contexts. Unfortunately, 'Sarzameen', which promises to be an action thriller, delivers very little of the war and almost none of the drama that honours the Indian Kayoze Irani-directorial is less a tribute to the armed forces and more an emotionally fragmented family drama. The plot follows Vijay Menon (played by Prithviraj Sukumaran), a high-ranking Army officer determined to eradicate terrorism from Kashmir, even if it means losing his son, Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan), in the process. But instead of presenting a layered exploration of national duty versus personal grief, the film dissolves into an undercooked tale of a strained father-son relationship, with the Army merely acting as a backdrop. View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioHotstar (@jiohotstar)The disconnected military context Despite branding itself as an action thriller, 'Sarzameen' barely shows the surface of Army life or operational warfare. Viewers expecting combat sequences, strategic missions, political undercurrents, or interdepartmental dynamics will find none of that here. There is little insight into the life of a soldier, no camaraderie among officers, and no exploration of the Indian Army's role in conflict zones. Vijay Menon, despite his rank, operates in isolation, chasing terrorists and confronting personal demons of the most confusing scenes in the film is when Harman gets kidnapped from a wedding - very easily. There's no Army security, no safety arrangements, no backup, nothing. What's stranger is that Vijay Menon, a senior Army officer, runs after the kidnappers alone, looking more like a helpless father than a powerful officer with full support and resources. The scene not only feels unrealistic but also shows the Indian Army in a careless and unprofessional light, which is far from the truth. An emotional core that lacks substanceThe emotional conflict at the centre of the film, Vijay Menon's coldness toward his sensitive, stammering son, is not inherently weak. Many war dramas and action thrillers, including '1917', 'Saving Private Ryan', and India's own 'Border', show personal stories along with the bigger war story. But 'Sarzameen' stays too focused on just the father-son issue. Harman's journey, from a boy who just wanted his father's approval to someone who stands against the country, feels unclear and overdramatic. His reasons are not well explained, and his change doesn't touch the heart the way it (played by Kajol), the mother, is the only emotional support in the film. But sadly, even her role is limited to the same kind of emotional scenes and crying moments. This is very different from the strong and inspiring characters people usually expect from this with 'Shershaah', where even the love story served to highlight Vikram Batra's courage and conviction as a soldier. The romance was a complement to the narrative. Similarly, 'Raazi' thrived not just on Alia Bhatt's performance but on its suspenseful depiction of espionage during wartime, showing the character's bravery within a tightly-wound political the Sidharth Malhotra-starrer, even the love story in that film made Vikram Batra's bravery stand out more. The romance added to the main story, it didn't distract from it. Similarly, 'Raazi' was not just about Alia Bhatt's strong acting, but also about how well the film showed her character's courage during a tense wartime mission. Both films had solid stories that balanced emotion with action. 'Sarzameen' lacks all of that. There's no music that lingers, no standout performances that elevate weak writing, and no strong supporting cast to build a world around the protagonists. For a film set in a region as politically volatile and emotionally charged as Kashmir, the storytelling remains curiously Indian Army has been portrayed on screen with dignity, complexity, and power in several successful films. 'Sarzameen' had a great chance to show the emotional pain between generations, the sense of duty towards the nation, and the bond within a military family. But the film wasted that chance by hardly showing anything about the Army or its real of honouring the uniform, the film reduces the soldier's journey to a fractured fatherhood story with questionable realism. The Army becomes a symbolic device rather than an active the name of showing the Indian Army, it ends up being just a weak family drama, missing the strength, respect, and discipline that truly represent our soldiers.- EndsTrending Reel


India.com
an hour ago
- India.com
Before Love & War, a look at 5 Sanjay Leela Bhansali films that took Indian cinema global
Sanjay Leela Bhansali is not just a filmmaker; he is one of Indian cinema's most visionary storytellers. A true master of storytelling, emotion, music, and visual grandeur, Bhansali has crafted films that feel timeless yet urgent, deeply personal yet universally resonant. His ability to transport audiences through eras, emotions, and cultures echoes the genius of legends like Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, and K. Asif. With every project, Bhansali elevates Indian cinema to a global stage, earning international acclaim while staying rooted in Indian aesthetics and soul. Now, as anticipation soars for his upcoming magnum opus Love & War a film being mounted on a scale even grander than his past ventures it's the perfect moment to look back at five Bhansali masterpieces that didn't just win hearts at home but made a significant impact across the world. Khamoshi: The Musical Bhansali's directorial debut, Khamoshi, starring Salman Khan and Manisha Koirala, was a deeply emotional tale that marked the arrival of a distinctive cinematic voice. The story of a hearing daughter in a deaf-mute family resonated universally, inspiring global adaptations like La Famille Bélier and the Oscar-winning CODA. This film established Bhansali's signature style deep emotion woven seamlessly with music and proved that Indian stories could touch hearts across borders. Black With Black, Bhansali delivered a cinematic marvel that pushed artistic boundaries. Inspired by the life of Helen Keller, this poignant tale of a deaf-blind girl and her teacher was universally lauded for its soul-stirring performances and masterful direction. Black was included in Time Magazine's list of the 10 Best Movies of the Year (2005) and received accolades globally, including praise from the Academy. It reaffirmed Bhansali's place among the world's finest directors capable of blending sensitivity with cinematic scale. Devdas Devdas was a cultural phenomenon a stunning retelling of a tragic love story wrapped in unmatched opulence. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2002 and was India's official entry to the Oscars that year. With its lavish sets, haunting music, and visual poetry, Devdas became a symbol of Indian cinematic grandeur, winning hearts from Paris to Tokyo and influencing filmmakers around the world. Gangubai Kathiawadi A bold, feminist narrative told on an epic scale, Gangubai Kathiawadi showcased Bhansali's evolution as a storyteller. The film received a standing ovation at the Berlin Film Festival and dominated Netflix's global non-English film charts, becoming the most-watched Indian film worldwide on the platform. Alia Bhatt's unforgettable performance, combined with Bhansali's meticulous world-building, made Gangubai a landmark in global storytelling. Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar Bhansali's foray into OTT with Heeramandi marked a new chapter in his career and Indian content history. With grand palaces, ornate courtyards, regal costumes, and layered storytelling, Heeramandi captured the imagination of audiences across continents. It became the most-watched Indian web series in its debut week, garnering 4.5 million viewers and 33 million watch hours, and it trended in 43 countries, solidifying Bhansali's digital dominance and international appeal. On the workfront Sanjay Leela Bhansali were next be seen directing one of the biggest films ever Love and War starring Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal and Alia Bhatt


India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
War 2 earns huge amount of money even before release, Jr NTR beats Hrithik Roshan by....
Before War 2 even lands in theatres, the real action is all about crores, rights and profit deals. A single pre-release deal has already turned the script into a high-stakes financial thriller. Naga Vamsi, a trusted name in Tollywood, has snapped up the Telugu theatrical rights of War 2 for a staggering Rs 90 crore (some reports say Rs 95 crore)—one of the biggest such deals ever for a dubbed film in Telugu cinema. This deal alone smashes expectations before a single ticket is sold. What's more, Yash Raj Films has already locked in recovery for that slice of distribution, even before the film hits theatres Who is making the real money? Jr NTR pulled in an Rs 70 crore payday, and he is also part of a backend profit-sharing deal with Naga Vamsi for the Telugu run. His total earnings could breach Rs 100 crore if the regional box office behaves as expected. Hrithik Roshan secured an Rs 50 crore upfront fee, along with participation in the overall backend profits with YRF, making him part of the elite profit-sharing tier that includes Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir Khan Why is this deal a win-win business gamble? For YRF : Selling Telugu rights upfront, Rs 90 crore—helps offset part of the total Rs 400 crore budget and safeguards against regional risk. For Naga Vamsi and Jr NTR: They control profit upside from the Telugu box office, while YRF stays protected on that segment. What's the timeline and buzz? War 2 is set to hit theatres on 14 August 2025, timed for the Independence Day weekend. With backing by Yash Raj Films and direction by Ayan Mukerji, the film marks a major India-scale event starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR (in his Hindi debut), and Kiara Advani This high-stakes financial play ahead of release proves War 2 isn't just an action spectacle—it's a profit spectacle. The Telugu rights alone are shaping up as a pre-release blockbuster in their own right.