Mahesh Bhatt Thinks Alia Bhatt Was ‘Just A Mannequin’ In Her Debut Film Student Of The Year

Mahesh Bhatt reflects on daughter Alia Bhatt’s journey as an actress. He said Alia was "just a mannequin" in Karan Johar's 2012 film ‘Student of the Year’.

Alia Bhatt made her debut in Bollywood with 2012 film 'Student Of The Year'.

Source : Instagram/Alia Bhatt

New Delhi: From her breakthrough performance in Karan Johar's ‘Student of the Year’, Alia Bhatt has steadily increased her status as one of the most talented actresses of her age. Veteran director Mahesh Bhatt recently discussed his daughter Alia Bhatt's rise to stardom in Hindi cinema, praising one of her performances that touched him. Mahesh Bhatt compared Alia’s performance in ‘Udta Punjab’ and ‘Highway’ to her first film SOTY.

Mahesh Bhatt was questioned by India Today about Alia's performance which he liked the most. The director shared, “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.”

He 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 Directed Alia Bhatt in 'Sadak 2'

Alia appeared in ‘Sadak 2’, a sequel to the 1991 highly acclaimed film ‘Sadak’, which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The storyline, language, and narrative of ‘Sadak 2’ were heavily criticised, despite the film's direct-to-digital distribution on Hotstar. Sanjay Dutt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Jisshu Sengupta, Gulshan Grover, and Pooja Bhatt, the oldest daughter of Mahesh, made special appearances in the film. Mahesh Bhatt took to social media after the film's release to declare his intention to never direct another film.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Alia Bhatt will be seen in ‘Jigra’, directed by Vasan Bala. She will make a cameo in ‘Alpha’, a YRF espionage universe film.