Alia Bhatt, one of the most versatile and celebrated actors in Bollywood today, has been in the spotlight not only for her stellar performances but also for her keen sense of choosing roles. With a career that began at the tender age of 19 in Karan Johar’s *Student of the Year* (2012), Alia quickly climbed the ranks to become one of the most sought-after stars in the industry. Her choices have often been praised for their diversity and depth, showcasing her ability to portray a wide range of characters.
However, like any successful actor, Alia has also had her share of roles she turned down, some of which went on to become critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. This article delves into the stories behind these decisions, exploring the films Alia Bhatt rejected, the reasons behind her choices, and how these decisions impacted her career.
The Strategic Mindset Behind Alia’s Choices
Before diving into the specific films that Alia Bhatt turned down, it’s important to understand the strategic mindset that drives her decisions. Alia is known for her meticulous approach to selecting projects, often looking beyond the script to consider factors such as the director’s vision, the character’s depth, and the overall impact of the story. This approach has not only helped her avoid potential pitfalls but has also allowed her to carve out a unique space for herself in an industry known for its fierce competition.
Alia’s choices reflect a balance between commercial viability and artistic integrity. She has often mentioned in interviews that she prefers to choose roles that challenge her as an actor and allow her to grow. This selective approach has earned her critical acclaim, but it has also meant turning down roles that, while potentially lucrative, did not align with her vision.
Shershaah (2021)
One of the most significant films Alia Bhatt turned down was *Shershaah* (2021), a biographical war drama based on the life of Captain Vikram Batra, a Kargil War hero. The film, produced by Dharma Productions and directed by Vishnuvardhan, was a massive success, with Sidharth Malhotra receiving widespread praise for his portrayal of Captain Batra.
Alia was reportedly approached to play the role of Dimple Cheema, Captain Batra’s love interest, a character that eventually went to Kiara Advani. The role, while not the central focus of the film, was crucial in showcasing the personal side of the war hero’s life. Sources suggest that Alia turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts, as she was deeply involved in other projects at the time, including *Gangubai Kathiawadi* and *Brahmāstra*.
While *Shershaah* went on to become a critically acclaimed film, Alia’s decision to pass on the project didn’t negatively impact her career. In fact, both *Gangubai Kathiawadi* and *Brahmāstra* have been highly anticipated films, with the former earning her widespread acclaim for her powerful performance as the titular character.
Neerja (2016)
Another major film that Alia Bhatt reportedly turned down was *Neerja* (2016), a biographical thriller based on the life of Neerja Bhanot, a Pan Am flight attendant who saved hundreds of passengers during a hijacking. The role ultimately went to Sonam Kapoor, who delivered a career-defining performance and won a National Film Award for Best Actress.
Alia was approached for the role during the early stages of her career, and while she was interested in the project, she ultimately decided to pass on it. Reports suggest that Alia felt she was too young and inexperienced at the time to do justice to such a complex and intense character. Additionally, the role required a certain level of maturity that Alia believed she had not yet developed as an actor.
*Neerja* went on to become a critically acclaimed film, and Sonam Kapoor’s performance was widely praised. However, Alia’s decision to turn down the role allowed her to focus on projects that were better suited to her skill set at that stage of her career, such as *Udta Punjab* (2016) and *Dear Zindagi* (2016), both of which earned her critical acclaim.
Raabta (2017)
*Raabta* (2017) is another film that Alia Bhatt chose to pass on. The romantic drama, directed by Dinesh Vijan, starred Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon. The film’s storyline revolves around reincarnation and the connection between the two lead characters across different lifetimes.
Alia was the first choice for the female lead, and the makers were keen on casting her alongside Sushant Singh Rajput. However, Alia declined the role due to her packed schedule and her commitment to other projects, particularly *Badrinath Ki Dulhania* and *Raazi*. The role eventually went to Kriti Sanon.
While *Raabta* had a promising premise, the film failed to make a mark at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics. Alia’s decision to focus on other projects proved wise, as both *Badrinath Ki Dulhania* and *Raazi* were commercial successes and added to her repertoire of strong performances.
Saaho (2019)
*Saaho* (2019), an action thriller starring Prabhas, was one of the most anticipated films of the year. Directed by Sujeeth, the film was a multilingual project, released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. The female lead role eventually went to Shraddha Kapoor, but Alia Bhatt was initially approached for the part.
Reports suggest that Alia turned down the role because she felt the character didn’t offer her enough scope to showcase her acting abilities. *Saaho* was a film heavily centered on action and visual effects, and Alia, who was at the peak of her career, was more interested in roles that allowed her to explore complex characters and narratives.
*Saaho* performed well at the box office, particularly in the South Indian markets, but received mixed reviews from critics. Alia’s decision to opt-out of the film allowed her to focus on projects like *Gully Boy* (2019) and *Kalank* (2019), both of which were significant releases in her career, especially *Gully Boy*, which earned her widespread acclaim.
Thugs of Hindostan (2018)
*Thugs of Hindostan* (2018), directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya and starring Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan, was one of the most hyped Bollywood films of the year. The film, set in the late 18th century, was an action-adventure drama with a massive budget. Alia Bhatt was reportedly offered the female lead role, which eventually went to Katrina Kaif.
Alia turned down the offer, possibly due to concerns about the role’s scope and the overall direction of the film. The film’s narrative was heavily centered around the male protagonists, and the female characters had relatively limited screen time and development. Alia, who by this time had established herself as an actor capable of carrying a film on her shoulders, may have felt that the role did not align with her career aspirations.
*Thugs of Hindostan* was a commercial failure and received largely negative reviews from critics, who criticized its weak script and lackluster execution. Alia’s decision to skip the film proved to be a good one, as she continued to focus on roles that challenged her and highlighted her acting prowess.
Golmaal Again (2017)
Rohit Shetty’s *Golmaal Again* (2017), the fourth installment in the popular *Golmaal* franchise, was another film that Alia Bhatt reportedly turned down. Known for its comedy and ensemble cast, the *Golmaal* series has been a favorite among audiences. However, Alia, who had previously worked with Rohit Shetty in *Dilwale* (2015), declined the offer.
Alia’s decision to pass on *Golmaal Again* was likely influenced by her desire to focus on more serious roles at that point in her career. The *Golmaal* series, while commercially successful, is known for its slapstick humor and light-hearted entertainment, which may not have aligned with Alia’s evolving artistic vision.
*Golmaal Again* was a box office success and added to Rohit Shetty’s streak of hit films. However, Alia’s choice to step back from the project allowed her to dedicate her time to films like *Raazi* (2018), where she delivered one of the most powerful performances of her career.
Haseena Parkar (2017)
*Haseena Parkar* (2017), directed by Apoorva Lakhia, is a biographical crime film based on the life of Haseena Parkar, the sister of infamous gangster Dawood Ibrahim. The role of Haseena Parkar eventually went to Shraddha Kapoor, but Alia Bhatt was one of the actresses considered for the part.
Alia reportedly turned down the role due to its dark and intense nature, as well as her preference for roles that resonated more with her personality and artistic inclinations. The film required the lead actress to undergo a significant physical transformation and portray a character with a morally ambiguous background, which may not have appealed to Alia at that point in her career.
*Haseena Parkar* received mixed reviews and did not perform well at the box office. While Shraddha Kapoor’s performance was appreciated by some, the film overall did not make a significant impact. Alia’s decision to skip this project allowed her
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