I don’t have a game plan about my career: Alaya F

For someone whose first film has just released, actor Alaya F speaks as if she has been in the business for years. Daughter of actor Pooja Bedi and granddaughter of actor Kabir Bedi, the 22-year-old is quick to clarify that her connections weren’t what landed her Jawaani Jaaneman. Her recent comment on star kids — “Even in our struggle, we are privileged” — also garnered a lot of attention.

She says, “Nepotism is a very real thing. But it doesn’t mean I am not going to pursue what I want to do because of that reality. At the end of the day, if you prove yourself, you don’t have to say anything.”

Citing the example of actor Alia Bhatt, daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actor Soni Razdan, Alaya continues, “She is good at what she does. I feel that if you just prove your worth by constantly doing it on your merit, it’s redundant after a point. Your work speaks for yourself. One day, I will learn from my work and acting, and just be known as myself.”

Alaya got to share screen space with two veterans — Saif Ali Khan and Tabu — in her debut project. And she is all praise for both of them.

“Saif was so incredible. I got to learn so much. He was supportive and helpful with everything. He wasn’t like ‘my part is done’ after his portions were shot. He would wait — whether he was in frame or not — and help you. It was a collaborative environment,” she says, adding, “Tabu is terribly good at her craft! Working with both was a bit intimidating at first, but it becomes easy.”

Does she have any plan in mind on how to go about her career? “I just want to do everything. I hope to work with a lot of talented people, and continue to learn. I don’t have a game plan in my head. I am very spontaneous, and go with my gut,” she concludes.