Mahesh Bhatt says Alia Bhatt was a ‘mannequin’ in Student of the Year, reveals his favourite performance of hers

Mahesh Bhatt spoke about his daughter Alia Bhatt's evolution, and highlighted the one performance of hers that 'astounded' him.

By: Entertainment Desk

New Delhi | Updated: August 4, 2024 10:27 AM IST

2 min read

Alia Bhatt poses with her father, Mahesh Bhatt. (Photo: Alia Bhatt/ Instagram)

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt spoke about the evolution of his daughter, Alia Bhatt, as an actor in the Hindi film industry, and highlighted the one performance of hers that left him devastated. Alia is considered as one of the most talented screen performers of her generation, and has gone from strength to strength after her debut over a decade ago in Karan Johar’s Student of the Year.

In an interview with India Today, Mahesh Bhatt was asked what his favourite performance by Alia is, and he said that he was particularly moved by her work in the films Udta Punjab and Highway, and described her role in Student of the Year as a ‘mannequin’. He said, “I must say that I was devastated by Udta Punjab. I didn’t understand when did this girl, this Juhu girl exposed to our home, where we live like a normal family… How did this Juhu girl get the accent right of an Adivasi from Chhattisgarh. It was amazing. I was astounded by that.”

Also read – Alia Bhatt says dad Mahesh Bhatt battled alcoholism, financial setbacks after series of flops: ‘My parents struggled…’

The veteran filmmaker continued, “Her raw power, and her ability to get into such a vulnerable space, and bare her heart. Highway and Udta Punjab… It was a departure from that girl who was just a mannequin in Student of the Year. You see the evolution in your child also.” Mahesh Bhatt said that he was further moved when Alia became a mother to Raha in 2022.

Alia has worked with her dad on just one film, the poorly received pandemic-era release Sadak 2. It remains a major blot on her career, which has been marked by several hits and acclaimed performances. Sadak 2 will remain Mahesh Bhatt’s final film, as he has declared that he will no longer direct another movie. “I am outdated, a has-been,” the filmmaker said in a recent interview with the Indian Express. In a recent interview with Faye D’Souze, Karan Johar said that he is proud of Student of the Year, and that he made it because he simply wanted to have fun.

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