‘WHY’RE WOMEN GOING THROUGH THIS?’

Asks Alia Bhatt, while talking about the growing rate of crime against women; says she is constantly competing with herself

Alia Bhatt (right) is at the top of her game in Bollywood, but even as she goes through a golden period, the actor asserts that she “expects 10 times more” from herself. HT Café catches up with the 23-year-old star to talk about her career, her love life, her new film with Varun Dhawan, and the recent molestation case involving a Malayalam actress.

With the molestation case of the Malayalam film actress making headlines, it is being questioned how safe the industry is for women. As a reigning film actress, does it worry you?

We always have our security apparatus around us. Whenever I am going to work, I always have somebody with me. But it’s very scary. It could be anybody. Honestly, I don’t want to talk much about it so I don’t bring more attention to the issue — anyone who is in that space wouldn’t want that right now. As a girl, I take a huge offense to it. It’s a very sad thing. I have a simple question: Why are women going through this? We shouldn’t. The year itself started on a bad note with the Bangalore molestation case.

What do you think should be the way forward?

Education — about ethics, society and sex — is the only way we can impart knowledge to this country and to the people who don’t understand what they are doing or are criminal in their behaviour. It’s the only way we can make sure that this country is a safe place for women to live in. The rate at which it (crime against women) is going up is frightening. We are so cultured in our behaviour with everyone, that it [such behaviour] comes as a shocker. Why are we like this with women? I don’t understand it; it’s beyond me.

Talking shop, people’s expectations from you have gone through the roof…

Yes, people keep saying that to me, but remember — I expect a lot from myself, too. I probably expect 10 times more from myself. It’s not like I feel pressured, or work hard and do certain films only because of what people expect from me. You are your best critique, and so, I am not going to sit around and watch myself perform at a ‘basic’ level. Even when I am being ‘basic’, I want to be fabulous. I am constantly competing and challenging myself.

Does that pressure become too much to handle with a new film’s release?

There are expectations from my new film (co-starring Varun Dhawan) anyway, but before a new film’s release, I try to forget all [the hit movies] that happened earlier. Once the movie releases, I cut myself off. I can’t stay attached to that feeling — of my film doing well and me getting all the love — because it will then become a part of who I am, and we know how people can become when they become successful. I don’t want any of that happening to me. So, for me, it feels like my first film is being released.

Do you feel powerful with all the success and accolades that have come your way?

I don’t take anything for granted. It’s not like I don’t feel grateful for the space that I am in. But, I don’t take all of it (success) too seriously. The minute I do that, it will start affecting the choices I make, and the way I interact with people and conduct myself. I will start nitpicking everything thinking that I should behave in a certain way, because people expect me to be like that. I don’t want to change because of the love and appreciation that I am getting.

You started your career at 19. Is there a fear of burning out?

Yes, there is, and that’s why I am taking it easy right now. I just have one film this year. I have signed two more –– Dragon and Gully Boy. I am not going crazy about work. After my new film with Varun (Dhawan) releases, I will go on a four-month break during which I will do nothing. And, this is not scaring me. I am not going to do a film just because I have four months off. I will chill and learn to play the piano, Kathak, horse riding and cooking. To learn cooking, I want to travel to places such as Paris, France. I want to be a student for four months.

Keeping up with the theme of your new film (with Varun), is marriage on your mind? I don’t really think about getting married because I shouldn’t be doing that anytime soon. I am only 23. I have at least five or six years more for marriage. I can start thinking about it then. It’s not at all on my mind right now. But, yes, I do want to have

babies and settle down some day. I also want to continue acting. I will not stop working as long as people want to see me on screen (laughs).

You have worked with Varun for the third time in your new film. Is this why the chemistry between the two of you is so palpable?

I would like to believe that both of us are good actors, which is why our chemistry is also good. It’s also got to do with how well our characters are written, and how Shashank (Khaitan; director) worked with both of us. Also, we are like children. We are constantly going neck-to-neck with each other in real life too. So, whenever we work together, we try to make sure everything is fabulous without trying too hard. And, I am not taking our chemistry for granted. We depend a lot on each other to make sure that (chemistry) comes across.

Have you settled in your new home in Juhu?

I haven’t been at (the new) home on a regular basis. But, it’s fully functional and designed now. There were minor issues such as plumbing etc. But, now, everything has fallen into place. I am finally settled. There are no alarming situations any longer at home (laughs). Sometimes, it does feel strange to have your own space. But, now, that strangeness is also going away. I look forward to going home and spending some ‘alone time’ with myself. But, I haven’t had that kind of time for a while now. Nowadays, I go home only to sleep.