Alya goes up against the Connors
THE BATTLE FOR UNDERWORLD IS ON – AND ALYA’S READY, SAYS CORRIE’S SAIR KHAN…
War is declared in Weatherfield this week, as
Alya Nazir finally discovers that Aidan left Underworld to her. She’s been in the dark about his last wishes while the Connor family has tried to find a way to invalidate his will, but their efforts are foiled. The shock news comes when Alya storms out of the factory following a huge row with Carla, who’s assumed control following his tragic suicide.
And so, with the battle lines drawn, things are about to get nasty…
“Alya’s out to prove that she’s no pushover!” shares Sair Khan, who plays her. “She’s attempting to keep alive the vision that she and Aidan had. She played an instrumental role as she helped rally the troops when the factory was robbed, and has put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into it. Underworld means a lot to Alya.”
She’s so committed to the future of the business that Alya has worked hard in the weeks since Aidan took his own life, to support Carla and drive things forward. But their working relationship is uneasy at best, particularly given that distraught Carla knows what her late brother wrote in his will. Worse still, she isn’t on board with the direction Aidan and Alya were taking the factory in, and that’s causing rows in the office.
“Alya has a strong idea about where the factory is heading, but Carla keeps undermining her,” sighs Sair. “Alya doesn’t believe in what Carla is doing, and she doesn’t think that it’s what Aidan would have wanted.”
The simmering tension reaches boiling point when Alya goes out on her own to secure a large order from client Macnees. She’s triumphant having won such a big contract, until Carla points out she’s made a critical error – they don’t have the material to fulfil it.
“Aidan and Alya were a partnership, and the reason she messes up this new order is because she doesn’t have him there to consult,” explains Sair. “She has so much going on in her head, so it’s an easy mistake for her to make.”
It’s not long before Carla delivers some choice words to Alya about her error. While it’s her grief and fear doing the talking, Alya doesn’t realise that – and tells Carla that she can stick her job.
“It goes from zero to 100!” says Sair. “Carla makes some personal digs, which
Alya wants to keep alive her and Aidan’s vision for the factory…
feel like a big blow to Alya because they are rude and nasty. She snaps as she’s trying to do the right thing, but Carla has given her a huge slap in the face.”
However, Carla’s worst nightmare is about to come true, as Imran discovers Aidan’s will on the photocopier in Adam’s office and realises that Alya is the sole beneficiary. He rushes over to reveal the truth, and now Alya is the one holding all the cards…
“Carla Connor has met her match,” warns Sair. “Alya is in disbelief, but it does make sense as Aidan knew how much she believes in the factory. Aidan wanted Alya to carry that on for him.”
Can Alya make it work – particularly as the Connors will be gunning for her?
“Absolutely! One hundred per cent!” asserts Sair. “But she needs help and support around her, and people that believe in her. I’d tell her, ‘Stay strong, stay focused and believe in what you
are doing – you can do this!’”