Alia Bhatt says Sanjay Leela Bhansali taught her ‘guts, imagination’: ‘Shah Rukh Khan made an impact on the way I behave on set’

From Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar to Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Alia Bhatt spoke about learning about work ethics and the craft from people she's worked with.

By: Entertainment Desk

Mumbai | Updated: October 9, 2023 05:08 PM IST

3 min read

Alia Bhatt recently spoke about how she learned so much from her collaborators. (Photo: Alia/Instagram)

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Alia Bhatt believes every film, every project has taught her numerous things. The Bollywood star recently made her mark globally with Heart of Stone, starring alongside Gal Gadot. Back home, the actor had a successful year with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani being one of the biggest hits. She also won the National Film Award for her performance in Gangubai Kathiawadi. In a recent interview, the actor opened up about the changes she observed in herself after every film.

In an interview with Vogue Singapore, Alia said that each directorial experience has taught her something. The actor said she learnt so much from Shah Rukh Khan on the sets of Dear Zindagi. “He made such an impact on the way I am and how I behave on set. His behaviour, respect, inclination towards everything in a scene—I learnt a lot from that,” she said. As for Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia said that it felt like going back to ‘school’, this time an ‘acting school’. “Once you walk out of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali set, you’re no longer the same person. Like Ranveer [Singh] says, you’ve been ‘Bhansali-fied’,” she shared.

Alia Bhatt said that working with people makes one more prepared for the next journey, but you do not get all the answers every time. “You’ll learn with each film as long as you’re open and you’ve walked onto the set deciding that you don’t have all the answers.”

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Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Gangubai Kathiawadi sets. (Photo: aliaabhatt/Instagram)

Alia Bhatt also lauded her directors for teaching her the tropes of the industry and craft, and called Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali her ‘mentors’. Alia shared that she started her career with KJo, from whom she learned all about ‘decorum, behaviour, respect and understanding’. She added that she adopted certain nurturing qualities from him as well. “And from Sanjay Leela Bhansali, I learnt imagination. I learnt guts. I learnt the freedom of knowing that anything is possible in front of a camera and nothing is permanent. They are two very different people but two very strong personalities and influences in my life. Both, I would say, are my mentors,” the actor added.

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Alia is currently shooting for her next film Jigra, which she is also co-producing with Dharma Productions. The emotional-action drama is helmed by Vasan Bala and will release next year in September.

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