Alia Bhatt has always been someone who balances grace with honesty, whether she is dazzling on a red carpet or sharing stories from her everyday life. Motherhood has softened her in new ways and she often speaks about how her daughter Raha has changed the rhythm of her world. These days, even simple work trips feel different because they begin with her little one asking where she is going and when she will be back. That emotional pull, Alia says, shapes many of her choices now.
At the Red Sea International Film Festival where she appeared for the second time, Alia Bhatt shared how this visit carried a new meaning because Raha was more aware of her absence. She smiled as she spoke about her daughter’s growing comfort with the paparazzi and how even that tiny bond has become its own amusing story at home. Through all this, what drives Alia most is “authenticity”, something she believes audiences always recognise. Even if responses differ, she feels people connect most deeply with what is real.
Reflecting on her experiences at international events like Cannes and Met Gala, Alia Bhatt admitted that the glamorous chaos usually ends in the same comforting way, her in pyjamas, eating pizza, unwinding after all the noise. When she looks back at her early twenties, she sees a version of herself who was “all over the place”, full of energy and eagerness. Now, she says she is still enthusiastic but her approach has become quieter and more intentional, shaped by both success and failure.
She also spoke about staying curious “no matter what happens in the future”, something she hopes to hold on to as her career evolves. When asked whether representing India on global platforms made her feel pressured, Alia Bhatt described it more as a sense of pride. She sidestepped a question from a Pakistani fan about visiting the country, simply saying she would go wherever her work required her.
Addressing nepotism, she acknowledged the ongoing conversations but reiterated her belief that when audiences feel someone is genuinely contributing, “sab kuch maaf hai”.
Toward the end, Alia Bhatt returned to thoughts of her younger self — the brave, fearless girl who walked into rooms with no guarantees but complete dedication. While she has become more careful with time, she still tries to keep a piece of that girl alive, letting her guide her through the ever-changing world of cinema and life.
