Alia Bhatt is redefining success with a fine-tuned balance of work, life, and self-care

I step into our shoot location—a serene bungalow tucked away in the heart of bustling Bandra. Its charm is understated, much like the woman at the centre of it all. Inside, Alia Bhatt moves effortlessly between roles—one moment, a mother playing with her daughter, Raha, rollers still in her hair; the next, a consummate professional, ready for the camera.

Bhatt, 32, hardly needs an introduction. From the fresh-faced ingénue of Student of the Year (2012) to the powerhouse performer in Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), she has carved a unique space in Indian cinema. But acting is only one facet of her ever-expanding world. Today, she is a global icon, a fashion muse, and an entrepreneur whose brand equity has placed her on the international stage with Gucci and L’Oréal.

As the shoot unfolds, I watch her from the sidelines—composed, precise, and deeply attuned to the process. She isn’t one for unnecessary chatter, but when she speaks, it’s with quiet certainty. She listens carefully, offers input when it matters, and moves through every frame with remarkable ease.

Four hours later, we wrap—a testament to her efficiency. She is known for working at this pace, her transitions seamless, her presence magnetic.

The next time we speak, it’s a Sunday. She’s en route to a shoot while I’m still easing into my day. The conversation turns to time—how she divides it, how she protects it.

“Honestly, it’s pure mathematics,” she says. “A lot of it comes down to saying no. After more than 12 years in the industry, I’ve learned to structure my time carefully.”

She breaks it down: 150 days for films, 20 to 30 for endorsements, her brands—Ed-a-Mamma and Eternal Sunshine—finance meetings, home organisation. That leaves her with about 185 days for herself and her family.

“I take it month by month because no two ones are the same. Some are packed, others slower. But I set boundaries—if a day is for my daughter, it’s for her. If it’s time off, I don’t negotiate. The key is making that decision and not feeling guilty about it.”

That discipline extends to her work as well. “I focus on one film at a time, limit events and shoots, and make sure that when I take time off, I’m fully present. Early on, I barely took breaks—there was a year when I had maybe five days off. But that was a different time, a different version of me.”

SUCCESS, FAME, AND THE ART OF STILLNESS

I ask if her definition of success has changed over the years.

“My goals are much more specific now,” she says. “There was a time when the industry norm was to be everywhere, do everything, say yes to everything. Sleep was a luxury, personal time an afterthought.

Work still remains an integral part of her life, admits Bhatt but adds that she does not let it dictate her life. “When I’m on set, I give my 100 per cent—there’s no compromise. But I don’t think, breathe, live, and eat work 24/7 anymore. I simply don’t have that bandwidth. I have a family now that requires more of me than ever before. My aspirations are still there, but they’ve become quieter, more long-term. It’s not about chasing quick wins anymore.”

The actor says she is past that phase. “Now, I approach things with more stillness. Even through the inevitable chaos, my mindset feels steadier.”

It’s a shift in perspective that also informs her work as a producer.

“I approach my production house the same way I approach my films—as a storyteller first,” she explains. “Even if I’m not acting in a project, I focus on the story and its characters. With Darlings (2022), my first production, we built it from the ground up, released it on Netflix, and seeing the love it received was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me of working on a school project—everyone striving toward a common goal and finally seeing it come to life."

Instinct plays a vital role in her decision-making, I make an informed guess. “A 100 per cent,” she nods. “But you also have to conserve your instincts—because sometimes, you can fall into the trap of repeating a decision just because it worked once. Instinct and logic have to work together. Your brain brings calculation into it, but if my gut feeling is loud enough, it eventually pulls me back to what feels right.”

LESSONS FROM MOTHERHOOD

Being a mother has taught Bhatt many things. “But if I had to pick one, I’d say patience—something I never really had before. And love, in its simplest, purest form.”

Adults tend to always think about the next thing, the actor says introspectively. “But with her [Raha], I’ve learned that sometimes, just being present is enough. She’s not overthinking—she’s just there, ready to give you a hug. That kind of simplicity is a lesson in itself.”

DEFINING BEAUTY, STYLE, AND SELF-CARE

Bhatt has long championed embracing natural beauty—her freckles, for instance, something she was among the first mainstream Bollywood actors to wear proudly.

“I’ve always loved freckles! Sunspots, imperfections— they make everything look more beautiful, more effortless.”

Has her perception of beauty evolved? I ask.

“Less is more has always been my philosophy,” she says.

“But maybe what’s changed is embracing rather than hiding. Not being afraid to show my body, not worrying about being overdressed or underdressed.”

Fashion, much like her career, is an intuitive process. “Comfort first,” she says. “Then it depends on my mood—do I feel chic, cool, experimental? It’s always about the vibe.”

Fitness, too, is non-negotiable. “The trick is to show up, even on the days you don’t feel like it. Last night, I had a full shoot day, spent time with Raha, put her to bed, and still had a workout left. I didn’t feel like going. But I told myself, just 30 minutes. And I did.”

Her approach to self-care is similarly pragmatic. “A good conversation with myself, maybe a little cry, some TLC,watching Friends— the usual,” she laughs. “Writing things down helps. And staying quiet when I’m overwhelmed. I’ve learned that in moments of doubt or distress, it’s best to pause rather than say something I might regret later.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

Up next are Alpha, an action film, and Love and War, a classic romantic musical drama—two completely different worlds, which is exactly what excites her.

“I’m also drawn to an out-and-out comedy or a heartfelt love story—something warm and uplifting. I’ll let you know when I find it,” she says with a smile.

As she steps onto the Cannes red carpet, representing Indian cinema on a global stage, I ask what excites her most about this moment in her career.

“Honestly, just having fun without too much pressure. That’s so important. I’m also being more mindful about my choices—one film a year, focusing on quality over quantity. It feels like the right balance.”

And so, as she navigates this next chapter—one that spans continents, genres, and roles—it’s clear Alia Bhatt is doing it on her own terms—with confidence, with curiosity, and with an undeniable sense of ease.

 

Credits

Editor and Interview: Rasna Bhasin (@rasnabhasin)

Digital Editor: Sonal Ved (@sonalved)

Photographer: Keerthana Kunnath (@Keerthana Kunnath)

Stylist: Priyanka Kapadia (@priyankarkapadia)

Cover Design: Mandeep Singh Khokhar (@mandy_khokhar19)

Editorial Coordinator: Shalini Kanojia (@shalinikanojia)

Make-up Artist: Puneet B Saini (@puneetbsaini)

Hair Artist: Amit Thakur (@amitthakur_hair) 

Assistant Stylists: Esther Pinto (@esther_pinto98), Iram Halai (@iram_halai)

Assistant Make-Up Artist: Nidhi Gandhi (@nidhigandhi_makeupartist)

Set Design: Janhavi Patwardhan (@theartnut_j)

Artist PR Agency: Think Talkies (think_talkies)

Location Courtesy: Toast Office, designed by Open Atelier Mumbai (@open_atelier_mumbai)

Alia is wearing a Mashru jacquard double-breasted blazer and tie, Bibhu Mohapatra (@bibhumohapatra), and Chinese Lantern earrings, Hanut Singh (@hanut101)

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