Your dad (Mahesh Bhatt) often said that it's early days to talk about Alia Bhatt. But for the first time he has called you, after Udta Punjab, as the 'bravest actor' and 'my wonder kid'. Does he now feel that you've made it?
I have definitely not made it, and I think that even he knows that. But yeah, he has always liked it when I do films like Highway and Kapoor & Sons. Udta Punjab, I guess, surprised him a little more than Highway and Kapoor & Sons. That's because it's a film which is more in his space. He makes intense films like Udta Punjab, writes strong parts for women... (trails off).
Where is your choice of films coming from?
I follow my instinct. You will be surprised to know that at this point I feel that I should do an out-n-out comedy. Frankly, I want to do every kind of film. And mind you, I want to make some risque choices. I don't want to hear from people 'Choose your roles, yeh mat karo, woh mat karo'. I would rather continue doing something different and see how it fares. I want to have lots of fun at this age, and I am having it. I don't want to play safe.
I get a feeling that you had been told to think twice before doing Udta Punjab?
Kisine kaha nahin tha mujhe, but it's a fact that many heroines had turned down this role before it came to me. Whatever may be their reasons, but the fact for me which clinched it was that I was supposed to play a deglam and stressful person. Most Hindi films, or say most people would imagine Hindi film heroines to do films that enhance the way she looks and the way people look at her, rather than playing a real part.
Did you have any reference points for the Udta Punjab role? Any of your friends who have suffered from drug addiction?
No, so the whole character was very unrealistic and imaginary for me. But I know of many youngsters and even kids who have been subjected to substance abuse and got into trouble with the law. I was also very intrigued when I was told that girls are literally drugged to subject them to physical abuse. So I just had to get my angst and sorrow out, and I guess everything fell into place.
The dialect part?
I hardly have dialogues in the film, and I practised only those which I had. Theatre actor Pankaj Tripathi was helping me out.
Did you feel awkward mouthing expletives?
I was nervous, it's not my type of language--- but I practised it so much that it almost became a part of me by the time we ended shooting the film.
Do you abuse in real life?
I try not to, I know it doesn't sound pleasant. But then, it's not that I don't abuse at all. I don't look at it as a taboo. I am a human and when I get very angry, there are a few things which come out of my mouth which actually shouldn't.
Your views on CBFC, which almost blacked out Udta Punjab?
No need to censor a film, certify it. You can't tell a filmmaker what to keep or delete in his film. Besides, we need guidelines to the possible interpretations that a person sitting there in judgment may possibly have. It's not about sacking A or B, it's all about clarity that is absent currently. We need this clarity desperately, else we are simply violating our rights of freedom of speech and expression.
Isn't the freedom of speech and expression being misused- KRK, Tanmay Bhat...
There are two sides of every coin. You can't go on shutting up everybody. Today, we are a part of society which needs boundaries else we'll be animals. For me, Lataji is a great inspiration and nothing can take away the pride that she has given to all of us.
Were you scared at one point that Udta Punjab might not see the light of day?
Yes, and very much. And when the film leaked online, I cried for 30 minutes non-stop. It hurt me very badly. It was the last low that we could have had on a film, and mind you, it affected us. Udta Punjab could have done better if it hadn't leaked on the Internet. Let's all get together and put an end to piracy.
Credit goes to Anurag Kashyap for launching a fight against CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification)?
Anurag, Madhu (Mantena), Ekta (Kapoor), Vikas (Bahl)- they all stood together.
Your Udta Punjab co-star Shahid Kapoor says that you deserve a National award for your role...
Shahid has been saying this since ever since we signed the film. He said: If you do this film well, I am sure you will win a National Award (laughs). I think he's just being sweet.
What was your mom's (Soni Razdan) reaction when she saw the film? She was out of town when it hit theatres on June 17...
That's right. She saw it only three days later. She came straight home, held me tight and started crying.
And how did your best friends in the industry- Katrina Kaif and Parineeti Chopra- react?
Kat loved the film. I don't think Pari has seen it as yet.
Did you feel uncomfortable while doing the gang-rape scene?
At the end of the day, we are actors. So we know it's only a scene and not real. But of course, it's not easy when people come close to you, hold your hand and try to pin you down.
The interview will be incomplete without talking about your rumoured break-up with Sidharth Malhotra. And now he joined you in your London holiday...
Where is your choice of films coming from?
I follow my instinct. You will be surprised to know that at this point I feel that I should do an out-n-out comedy. Frankly, I want to do every kind of film. And mind you, I want to make some risque choices. I don't want to hear from people 'Choose your roles, yeh mat karo, woh mat karo'. I would rather continue doing something different and see how it fares. I want to have lots of fun at this age, and I am having it. I don't want to play safe.
I get a feeling that you had been told to think twice before doing Udta Punjab?
Kisine kaha nahin tha mujhe, but it's a fact that many heroines had turned down this role before it came to me. Whatever may be their reasons, but the fact for me which clinched it was that I was supposed to play a deglam and stressful person. Most Hindi films, or say most people would imagine Hindi film heroines to do films that enhance the way she looks and the way people look at her, rather than playing a real part.
Did you have any reference points for the Udta Punjab role? Any of your friends who have suffered from drug addiction?
No, so the whole character was very unrealistic and imaginary for me. But I know of many youngsters and even kids who have been subjected to substance abuse and got into trouble with the law. I was also very intrigued when I was told that girls are literally drugged to subject them to physical abuse. So I just had to get my angst and sorrow out, and I guess everything fell into place.
The dialect part?
I hardly have dialogues in the film, and I practised only those which I had. Theatre actor Pankaj Tripathi was helping me out.
Did you feel awkward mouthing expletives?
I was nervous, it's not my type of language--- but I practised it so much that it almost became a part of me by the time we ended shooting the film.
Do you abuse in real life?
I try not to, I know it doesn't sound pleasant. But then, it's not that I don't abuse at all. I don't look at it as a taboo. I am a human and when I get very angry, there are a few things which come out of my mouth which actually shouldn't.
Your views on CBFC, which almost blacked out Udta Punjab?
No need to censor a film, certify it. You can't tell a filmmaker what to keep or delete in his film. Besides, we need guidelines to the possible interpretations that a person sitting there in judgment may possibly have. It's not about sacking A or B, it's all about clarity that is absent currently. We need this clarity desperately, else we are simply violating our rights of freedom of speech and expression.
Isn't the freedom of speech and expression being misused- KRK, Tanmay Bhat...
There are two sides of every coin. You can't go on shutting up everybody. Today, we are a part of society which needs boundaries else we'll be animals. For me, Lataji is a great inspiration and nothing can take away the pride that she has given to all of us.
Were you scared at one point that Udta Punjab might not see the light of day?
Yes, and very much. And when the film leaked online, I cried for 30 minutes non-stop. It hurt me very badly. It was the last low that we could have had on a film, and mind you, it affected us. Udta Punjab could have done better if it hadn't leaked on the Internet. Let's all get together and put an end to piracy.
Credit goes to Anurag Kashyap for launching a fight against CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification)?
Anurag, Madhu (Mantena), Ekta (Kapoor), Vikas (Bahl)- they all stood together.
Your Udta Punjab co-star Shahid Kapoor says that you deserve a National award for your role...
Shahid has been saying this since ever since we signed the film. He said: If you do this film well, I am sure you will win a National Award (laughs). I think he's just being sweet.
What was your mom's (Soni Razdan) reaction when she saw the film? She was out of town when it hit theatres on June 17...
That's right. She saw it only three days later. She came straight home, held me tight and started crying.
And how did your best friends in the industry- Katrina Kaif and Parineeti Chopra- react?
Kat loved the film. I don't think Pari has seen it as yet.
Did you feel uncomfortable while doing the gang-rape scene?
At the end of the day, we are actors. So we know it's only a scene and not real. But of course, it's not easy when people come close to you, hold your hand and try to pin you down.
The interview will be incomplete without talking about your rumoured break-up with Sidharth Malhotra. And now he joined you in your London holiday...
(Laughs) Had I ever confirmed that I was in a relationship? Then where's the question of a break-up?
Image Source: Hdwallpapers, Manav Manglani, Mazekro & Hottestpictures
All our pictures are free to be leaked without our permission. Do note: They are not Censor Certified.