No problems in promoting films round-the-clock: Alia Bhatt

From becoming the butt of jokes for her IQ to being critically acclaimed for her role in Udta Punjab, Alia Bhatt has come a long way. Now, with her upcoming film, Dear Zindagi, Alia is all excited.

Going from print and web channels to radio interactions, Alia is busy promoting her film but, she refuses to get tired. She says, “I love to talk and so I have no problem promoting a movie round the clock.”

Talking about her Dear Zindagi co-star, Shah Rukh Khan, Alia says the two are similar in their thought process. “We are very similar in our thinking and behaviour. The essence of our emotions is the same,” she says.

However, the actress says that there is one thing about Shah Rukh that makes her unhappy. “I feel bad that he doesn’t eat on the sets. During the shoot, the set would be very quiet and we would have long takes. Then, suddenly, we would hear SRK’s stomach growling! So, we had to feed him something in the middle of the shoot. I still tell him that he must eat on the sets.”

Reminiscing about her first meeting with King Khan, she  says, “My father and I went to his place when I was 11. SRK had placed sandwiches on the table and I just took a sandwich and sat staring at him. I was so much in awe of him. My father sent me that photo and when I showed it to Shah Rukh, he just laughed.”

Talking about her favourite memory from the film, she says, “The first photo which came out on Twitter was when SRK and I were playing games. We were not shooting then. Gauri saw us and simply clicked a photo. We were unaware of it.”

Alia says that she does not feel any pressure when it comes to work. “I think the director faces a lot of pressure. If I am doing something, I should be good at it.” Talking about her journey, Alia adds, “Everybody’s journey is different and I really feel that the younger generation should be passionate about what keeps them going.”

Rapid fire with Alia Bhatt
Q. How do you choose between right or wrong when in a fix?
Apni aankhen band karo... aur tumhein jawaab mil jayega.

Q. If not acting, what would you be doing?
Maybe production. Direction is not for me.

Q. Two habits you want to change?
I get hyper and am short-tempered — I want to change these things.

Q. Something you are not good at?
Lying! Everyone praises me as an actor, but I am a bad liar. I always get caught after lying. Recently, when I returned from a hectic shooting schedule and my mom wanted me to rest, I lied to her saying, ‘I have an urgent meeting’. She allowed me to go and I rushed to the gym instead! However, I don’t lie much and my parents know everything about me.