Highlights
Alia Bhatt’s acting career began under the banner of Dharma Productions, substantially the star’s name and the production banner has been overused in the same sentence for years. Her entry into the film industry with a glamorous role as Shanaya with her own opening song screamed commercial rom-com.
The movie bagged a good sum of return while the cast received mixed reviews for their performance in a stereotypical Dharma movie starring rich kids, playing rich kids, setting further unrealistic expectations. This very accusation of ‘nepotism’ didn’t stay long, at least in the case of Alia Bhatt, who made a swift drift into one of the promising talents of the nation.
1.Gangubai Kathiawadi
The 2022 film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali is easily the most remarkable performance of any star in over a decade. The sign up between Alia Bhatt and Sanjay Leela Bhansali was the talk of the town before and after release as Alia’s portrayal of a real life Gangubai, who was duped and sold for by her loved one twisted even the darkest of hearts.
The movie as a whole carried strong narration and even stronger characters played by some of the best talents, and is adorned more only by Alia Bhatt’s enormous aura and magnetic display of seamless depiction. She embodied the emotions of an innocent girl with dreams to a vengeful woman who stops at nothing to reign the pit she was thrown into.
2.Raazi
Another real life documentation of a RAW agent who on the instance of her father marries off to Pakistan to serve as a spy for India before the Indo-Pakistan war. The story as simple as it seems was carefully directed by the brilliant Meghna Gulzar and captivatingly portrayed by Alia Bhatt. Her performance as Sehmet Syed stood tall along the growing tension of the plot as the film demands a strong lead who fits just right.
Raazi bagged several accolades and one being A National Award for Best Actress, rightfully so for Alia’s acting practically lifted the overall experience. Alia as Sehmet was woven into the plot of the film with precision that can be overwhelming for some, but she outdid herself immensely cementing her place in the industry.
3.Highway
Alia Bhatt’s early portrayal of Veera is often regarded as her critically appreciated performances for many years as ‘HIghway’ slotted Alia Bhatt as not just a face that shines in a staged commercial film but also that roots the audience to travel with the story. This film served as Alia’s first breakthrough with her acting lauded in many film festivals across the world.
The sinful condition of a typical Indian household that secures a daughter from the outside threat forms the base of the film and pushes a tough pill for the audience to swallow as Veera grows to enjoy freedom in the hands of her captors.
4.Dear Zindagi
A film that still is seen and rejoiced as a comfort pick for many, ‘Dear Zindagi’ is a proposal to life, love and peace for those who strive for it and probably deserve it. The movie starring one of the biggest stars of the world, Shah Rukh Khan slightly titles towards a young Alia Bhatt’s performance.
Kaira’s meltdowns and blurry sense of life or destiny backdropped in aesthetic Goa shores swiftly changes after her meeting with Dr. Jehangir aka Jug. The duo quickly sets a tempo that paces the movie and Alia’s performance as a person struggling to change strikes a tough chord.
5.Udta Punjab
Abhishek Chaubey’s directorial ‘Udta Punjab’ sets several memorable career highlights as the movie itself was hugely acclaimed and lauded for its story and execution. Alia Bhatt as Buria, a poor agriculture worker with big dreams of playing Hockey for India still remains one of her best performances till date.
The exploitation of the have nots and an unfortunate realistic portrayal of abuse, be it in the form of abuse against women or substances, the film and the perfect resonance of Alia’s character to the reality ticks all the right boxes for a content oriented film.
6.Gully Boy
A movie revolving around a struggling rapper is ranveer singh whose lifestyle only worsens as his dreams go fleeting, carefully shifts to show a fierce, borderline toxic girlfriend of his played by Alia Bhatt was celebrated by fans all around. Her fearless attitude and overly violent nature though in theory is hated by many, is to the date easily placed as Alia Bhatt’s memorable performances.
7.Darlings
A quirky, black comedy film that is fully packed with serious societal issues of domestic abuse, released directly in OTT in 2022. ‘Darlings’ as a film suspends on the epic writing and marvelling acting from all the leading actors in the film. Alia Bhatt alongside Shefali Shah hold together the film with their impressive portrayal of everyday women who undervalues herself and stoops lower to her abusive husband.
Alia Bhatt as Badru is a pitiful wife who goes through unfortunate abuse in the hands of her husband. An alcoholic who has his ways with her and gaslights her of a future that is nothing but a mirage quickly turns into a comedy of crimes.
8.Kapoor & Sons
One of the best coming of age dramas that is bold, emotional and a solid entertainer is the 2016 Shakun Batra directorial ‘Kapoor & Sons’. A family drama that pivots to a romantic comedy starring Alia Bhatt in a love triangle of sorts captures a beautiful family dynamic that is not always painted blue.
Tia Malik is fun, joyful, scared adult who sets foot into a friendship, a business deal and fairly involved in a clumsy tale of twists and emotional subjects is one of the lighter roles of Alia’s that still delights the audience.
9.2 States
An already hit novel that captured the hearts of millions turned into a big production film with the retained title ‘2 States’ was a guaranteed success. The play of two strangers from different backgrounds with a modern twist and romantic plot and emotional subplots is a stereotypical one.
Still fans did not hold back from watching this 2014 movie with Alia playing a south indian girl from an orthodox family who gets her perfect meet cute as she moves out of town for studies and meets a north indian.
10.Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani
A proper commercial film bankrolled by none other than Dharma Productions is the 2023 film ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’. Two polar opposite characters fall in love despite their different upbringing and view of life and are forced to swap families for three months in order to impress the said families for marriage.
An age old movie plot that seems to be timeless with its run even last year solely ran with the leads and the enormous cast used as a selling point. The movie in itself projects several inter family dynamics that is a casual play for Alia Bhatt who played Rani, a self sufficient, successful journalist.
