“Not knowing your abilities can result in a fascinating journey of self-discovery”
No matter how brilliant you are there’s always someone somewhere better than you. Never ever say that you have arrived because that sows the seed of your disintegration.” This is one of the many words of wisdom that Mahesh Bhatt shared with his youngest child Alia Bhatt.
It tells you of an actor, who even as she earns universal praise with each performance, is adamant to stay grounded. Alia had a fantastic run in 2016 starting off with a small, potent part in Kapoor & Sons. Then came the shock-and-awe performance as the vulnerable, foul-mouthed, dazed but determined Bihari woman in Udta Punjab. She sealed it with Dear Zindagi, in which she beautifully internalised the complexities of a 20-something young woman grappling with love, life and family. “Alia aapne itne kum time mein itna kuch kar liya hai—aapko kaise lagta hain?” she is asked often. Her response, “I genuinely want to find an answer to that. But I don’t feel anything.” Not knowing your abilities can result in a fascinating journey of selfdiscovery. Alia is on it now.