In a recent discussion on the working dynamics of Bollywood film sets, Ratna Pathak Shah shared her thoughts on the behaviour of the younger generation of performers. While she didn’t hold back in criticizing those who prioritize being cute over their craft, she mentioned Alia Bhatt as an exception who impressed her during their time together on Kapoor & Sons.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Ratna recalled her observations of Alia Bhatt. Despite not sharing any scenes in the film, Ratna Pathak Shah noted that Alia possessed a rare level of focus. She shared, “Bahot hi attentive hai wo, tab maine jo note kiya unke baare mein. (She was very attentive.) She used to be at the monitor all the time, not when she was acting, but when others were performing. She observed very carefully.
Ratna used this example to highlight a trend she finds troubling among other young actors. She slammed the tendency of many newcomers to act as entertainers rather than professionals. She said, “She didn’t talk much, which is surprising because young actresses seem to feel the need to be the cute entertainer on set all the time. They feel that being that cute person is going to help them. It just makes them bad performers in many cases.
In contrast, Ratna found Alia’s quiet and observant nature refreshing and professional. She added, “Not Alia. I was very impressed by her. She kept herself very quiet. I don’t think we exchanged more than a few words. But I thought she was extremely gifted and focused. I liked her.
Kapoor & Sons, produced by Dharma Productions, featured an ensemble cast including Rishi Kapoor, Sidharth Malhotra, Fawad Khan, Ratna Pathak Shah, Rajat Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt. The film, which explored familial dysfunction and relationships, was both a critical and commercial success back in 2016.
On the work front, Alia is currently gearing up for the release of the YRF spy universe film Alpha, alongside Sharvari and Bobby Deol, and is working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
Also Read: Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and Fawad Khan watch Kapoor & Sons with their families
