MUMBAI, INDIA – Alia Bhatt, a renowned figure in the world of Bollywood with a massive Instagram following and a successful career spanning over a decade, is set to embark on a new chapter as she makes her debut in Hollywood. After contemplating her options in the Hollywood arena for some time, Bhatt’s journey into the English-language film world was kickstarted by a unique opportunity that she believes was destined to be.
“Your first film chooses you,” Bhatt expressed in an interview with The Associated Press in June. “Technically, this is my first English-language movie. It chose me and I’m so happy it did.”
In the upcoming Netflix movie “Heart of Stone,” a gripping spy thriller with global intrigue, Bhatt shares the screen with the likes of Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan. Cast as a tech prodigy named Keya, Bhatt’s role is central to the intricate plot, albeit with twists that are kept under wraps. This venture marks a departure from her usual leading roles in Indian cinema, as she embraced the opportunity to delve into a substantial supporting part that resonated with her.
While taking on this role, Bhatt was keen to ensure that her character held genuine significance in the storyline rather than just serving as a token representation. “The way I judge it is if you take the character out of the story and you still have a film, then that character’s not important,” Bhatt explained.
One of the most appealing aspects for Bhatt was working alongside a fellow woman who was also producing. Director Tom Harper noted Bhatt’s formidable talent and highlighted the electric dynamic between her character and Gadot’s character, Rachel Stone.
“The two bounce off each other brilliantly and you get real electricity,” Harper commented. “Some of my favorite parts of the movie are when they riff off each other and the banter that they have.”
Bhatt found similarities between Hollywood sets and the ones she’s accustomed to in India, with the main distinction being the working hours. While the days were shorter during the filming of “Heart of Stone,” the breaks were also briefer. The experience was made even more unique as she was pregnant during the shoot, witnessing some of her own actions on screen through the lens of special effects.
As the release of “Heart of Stone” approaches, Bhatt reflects on a remarkable year that saw her embracing various milestones, from welcoming her first child to being named the first Indian house ambassador for luxury brand Gucci. Notably, she also ventured into producing with her Netflix project “Darlings.”
Hailing from a prominent Bollywood family, Bhatt’s journey in the film industry has been guided by her parents’ prudent advice, as her father is a renowned filmmaker and her mother a former actress. Despite her Hollywood debut, Bhatt doesn’t envision relocating to the U.S. like her contemporary Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Bhatt acknowledges the courage and uniqueness of Chopra Jonas’s global career path while expressing her own desire to continue working in India and exploring exceptional international opportunities. With humility, she looks ahead with an open mind, acknowledging that this Hollywood debut marks just one step in an evolving journey.