Alia Bhatt - the upcoming superstar that India needs

SRK once famously claimed in an interview that he was the last of the superstars, and while many agree, could Alia Bhatt be poised to challenge that notion and carry the legacy forward? Let’s discuss!

Who would have thought that the Alia Bhatt who debuted as Shanaya in Student of the Year, dancing stylishly between two suitors, would one day play Gangubai—a sex worker from Kamathipura capable of smashing not only her enemies but also society’s stereotypes and showcasing the ultimate women's power? No one could have anticipated the filmography journey that Bhatt had been on, but in hindsight, it is what she built her entire legacy on to become a star—weaponizing our preconceived notions of her and transforming them into something surprisingly so authentic and compelling. 

Each time she appeared onscreen, she proved that she was not some urban, sheltered, inexperienced, thoughtless young actress just here to look good and have fun in films. Whenever her characters graced the big screen contrasting with her delicate frame, they stood for the testament that Bhatt's strength lies in her convincing power as an actor and nothing else! No wonder when Jigra's tough-as-nails character, like Satya, strives to fight for her brother and goes on to blow some actual punches to men taller than her, Bhatt's height is inconsequential. Similar to when she becomes a young aspirational hockey player from Bihar, Mary Jane, in Udta Punjab, a connivingly headstrong girlfriend, Safeena, in Gully Boy or a streetsmart spy, Sehmat, in Raazi, who is willing to sacrifice everything for her country. Each time, she proved that no matter how distant the character might seem from her real life, she knows how to bring conviction to it. 

This fight to be something more than just what the world perceives you to be, extending from her real-life persona, has always been a part of the characters that Bhatt has chosen to essay. Because just when you think her character Shanaya in SOTY could have been dismissed as superficial, Bhatt’s portrayal showed ambition, independence, and the resolve to choose herself over societal expectations. This thread of autonomy and choosing self-worth over romantic conventions also runs in Ananya from 2 States or Vaidehi in Badrinath Ki Dulhania. It culminates in a full-blown limelight in the powerhouse Rani in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, where Bhatt masterfully balances glamour and grit, embodying the modern-day woman who isn’t afraid to follow and speak her own mind. 

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But she has always tried to do something unique with each character. Her choices reflect a deep commitment to addressing societal issues rather than just focusing on establishing her as the most versatile actor we have today. Whether it is Darlings Badru, Highway's Meera, or Dear Zindagi's Kaira, each character is a woman who, apart from being proof of Bhatt's acting prowess, has stood for something more consequential - a representation of today's woman, who is scarred but unbroken, navigating emotional pain with a head held high and despite her struggles in a patriarchal society, she emerges stronger, wiser, and more resilient. No wonder Gangubai seemed like a befitting role for her as Bhatt kicked ass at bringing the essence out of the character that, despite people's reservations about her not looking the part, made us be in complete awe of her! 

Of course, Bhatt’s journey hasn’t been without its missteps. Films like Kalank, Shandaar, RRR, Brahmastra, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulahania, Shandaar, and others didn’t land as strongly as some of her other projects. But she wears her failures like a badge of honour, owning them in a way that speaks volumes about her resilience. Slowly, she has become so many things for many people - poster image for memes, the internet's favourite punching bag and damsel in distress who needs to be saved, a reference for the best product of nepotism, an upgraded version of the desi filmy heroine, a trustworthy person for millennial representation, a bonafide star who is also natural and much more. All of this seems to have seamlessly blended in with her fictional characters. They are blurring the line between real and reel in a way where they pave the path for Bhatt to become the next superstar! 

In a country where male-centric cinema dominates, it’s hard to envision a female superstar in the traditional sense. However, it's not utterly unfathomable as when in a masala advertisement, both Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan shout Alia's name to save themselves from the paparazzi, it's not hard to buy into the believability of it all! And who says it's necessary that the legacy could only be taken ahead by a male hero only? If anything, Bhatt's rising stardom, combined with her ability to carry films on her own shoulders without a male-led star cast opposite her and her choices of script, bridging the gap of stardom and ambition, has only put her on the map of being a trusted star that this generation needs. Moreover, her action stint with Jigra and the upcoming Alpha are well-defined paths that any male hero also walks on to establish themselves as stars in the most traditional sense.

It's like all of Bhatt's characters, along with her unabashed personality have come together so she could easily be established as the next mega superstar, who represents a generation stuck between realism and aspirational. Just like how Amitabh’s “Angry Young Man” and SRK’s reign as the King of Romance once defined a generation who found solace in escapism. It's high time we all realize that the future also has females, then it’s only fitting that it comes with a female superstar, and Alia Bhatt might just be the one to lead that charge!

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