Alia Bhatt is a prominent Indian actress and one of the leading figures in the Bollywood film industry. She was born on March 15, 1993, in Mumbai, India. Alia comes from a family with strong ties to the film industry. Her father, Mahesh Bhatt, is a renowned filmmaker, and her mother, Soni Razdan, is also an actress. Alia Bhatt has faced her share of controversies and criticisms during her career. Below are some of the controversies and notable incidents associated with Alia Bhatt:
Nepotism Debate: Alia Bhatt comes from a prominent Bollywood family, with her father Mahesh Bhatt being a well-known filmmaker. She has been at the center of discussions surrounding nepotism in the Indian film industry, with critics arguing that her family background gave her an advantage in the industry. This debate intensified following the “Nepotism Rocks” incident.
“Nepotism Rocks” Comment: At the IIFA Awards in 2017, Alia Bhatt, along with Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, participated in a skit where they chanted “Nepotism rocks!” on stage. This comment was seen as insensitive and dismissive of the concerns raised about nepotism in the industry. It sparked outrage on social media and reignited the nepotism debate in Bollywood, with many feeling that it undermined the struggles of actors without industry connections.
“Prada” Song Controversy: In 2019, Alia Bhatt appeared in the music video for the song “Prada” by The Doorbeen, a popular Punjabi track. The controversy surrounding the song arose from allegations of plagiarism. It was claimed that the song’s tune and certain elements bore a striking resemblance to an older Punjabi song titled “Goreyan Nu Daffa Karo” by Amrinder Gill. Fans and music enthusiasts pointed out the similarities, leading to discussions about the originality of “Prada.” The Doorbeen and Alia Bhatt faced criticism over the alleged lack of acknowledgment or permission for using elements from the older song.
“Sadak 2” Trailer Dislikes: The trailer for the Bollywood film “Sadak 2,” which featured Alia Bhatt in a lead role, received an unusually high number of dislikes on YouTube. This backlash was partly attributed to the ongoing nepotism debate in the Indian film industry, which gained momentum following the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June 2020.
Many fans and viewers expressed their frustration with what they perceived as nepotism in the film industry, where individuals with family connections to the industry were given opportunities over talented outsiders. Alia Bhatt, being the daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, faced criticism from some quarters, which was reflected in the high number of dislikes on the film’s trailer.
Accusations of Favoritism in Award Wins: Alia Bhatt, has won several awards for her performances in various films. However, her wins have sometimes been met with accusations of favoritism and bias due to her family connections. Example: In 2019, when Alia Bhatt won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in the film “Raazi,” there were discussions and debates on social media and in the industry about whether her win was influenced by her family’s background or if it was solely based on her performance.
Alleged Cold War with Kangana Ranaut: Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken nature and criticisms of the Bollywood industry, has at times been in the news for her alleged cold war with Alia Bhatt. Kangana has openly criticized Alia on various occasions for not taking a stand on certain issues, including nepotism and politics.
Example: In 2019, Kangana Ranaut accused Alia Bhatt of being a “puppet” of the film industry’s powerful figures during an interview. She expressed disappointment that Alia did not openly support her when Kangana spoke out against nepotism in Bollywood. This led to a public exchange of words between the two actresses, with Alia later stating that she would prefer to keep her discussions private.
Casting Controversies: Alia Bhatt played the role of Safeena Firdausi, the love interest of the film’s protagonist, Murad, portrayed by Ranveer Singh. Many fans of hip-hop and the underground rap scene in Mumbai expressed their concerns and disappointment on social media platforms. They questioned whether Alia, who comes from a Bollywood background and has a different image compared to the real-life street characters the film aimed to portray, was the right fit for the role. Some argued that the role could have gone to someone with a more authentic background or connection to the street rap culture.
