Alia Bhatt, a prominent figure in the Bollywood film industry, is stepping into Hollywood with her debut in Netflix’s movie ‘Heart of Stone.’

After considering Hollywood prospects for a number of years, Alia Bhatt, a renowned star of Hindi cinema with a massive Instagram following of around 79 million, had been keen on venturing into English-language films. However, no opportunities had materialized. This changed when she learned about an upcoming action series produced and led by Gal Gadot. Impressively, within just a week of reading the script, she finalized the deal. Bhatt attributed this turn of events to destiny.

As she stated in an interview with The Big Big News in June, “Your first film chooses you.” She emphasized that this English-language film is, technically, her first, and expressed her happiness about the opportunity.

Her primary concern was ensuring her role had depth. While reviewing the script, she wanted her character to be more than just a token “South Asian” inclusion; she aimed to have a meaningful impact on the storyline.

Bhatt explained, “I evaluate it by imagining if you remove the character from the plot and the movie still holds together, then that character isn’t truly essential.”

Furthermore, she was excited to work alongside a female producer. Director Tom Harper praised Bhatt’s exceptional talent and highlighted the dynamic interaction between her character, Keya, and Gal Gadot’s character, Rachel Stone, as a highlight of the film.

Harper remarked, “The two bounce off each other brilliantly and you get real electricity. Some of my favorite parts of the movie are when they riff off each other and the banter that they have.”

Bhatt was intrigued by the similarity between Hollywood sets and the ones she had been on in India for the past ten years, with the main difference being shorter working hours. Although the days were shorter on the set of “Heart of Stone,” breaks were also briefer. In India, she noted, there would be a longer lunch break, a 30-minute snack break, and a later finish time.

Interestingly, she was pregnant during filming and found it amusing to see the actions she supposedly performed in the finished film (with the assistance of stunt doubles and digital effects).

She chuckled, saying, “I’m thinking, ‘Did I really do that?’ It doesn’t seem likely, but it appears that way.”

The release of “Heart of Stone” marks a remarkable year for the 30-year-old star. She not only welcomed her first child but also attended her inaugural Met Gala and became the first Indian house ambassador for luxury brand Gucci. Additionally, she had a minor role in the Telugu-language blockbuster “RRR,” which gained international attention, and was making a name for herself as a producer.

Her debut production, “Darlings,” was also a Netflix project, and the experience was a blend of challenges, fears, and rewards.

Coming from a Bollywood family, with her father, Mahesh Bhatt, being a renowned filmmaker, and her mother, Soni Razdan, a former actress, Alia Bhatt began her acting career in 2012 with Karan Johar’s teenage drama “Student of the Year.” She gained acclaim for her role as a kidnapping victim in the 2014 drama “Highway,” and in the previous year, she married fellow Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor.

She reflected on her upbringing, stating, “My parents have always been cautious with their encouragement. … It’s advantageous when you grow up in a family that has witnessed the highs, lows, and everything in between.” She quoted her father’s advice, emphasizing the need to maintain some distance from one’s own fan following.

Unlike her friend Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who moved to the U.S., Bhatt doesn’t have a comprehensive plan to transition into Hollywood. She aspires to continue working in Indian cinema while seizing occasional international opportunities.

As she summed up, “I still don’t have a clear direction. This is just one film, and we’ll see how things unfold from here.”

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