Ratna Pathak Shah Applauds Alia Bhatt's Professionalism on 'Kapoor & Sons' Set
Veteran actress Ratna Pathak Shah, who shared screen space with Alia Bhatt in the 2016 family drama 'Kapoor & Sons', has recently opened up about her observations of the younger star's work ethic. Despite not having any scenes together in the film, Ratna noted Alia's exceptional focus and dedication during production.
Natural Talent Over Forced Cuteness
In a candid interview with Pinkvilla, Ratna Pathak Shah expressed admiration for Alia Bhatt's authentic approach to her craft. "She was very attentive," Ratna revealed, recalling her time on set. "I noticed she would be at the monitor constantly, not just during her own scenes but while others were performing too. She observed everything very carefully."
This behavior stood in stark contrast to what Ratna described as a troubling trend among some young actors. "Many young actresses feel this need to be the cute entertainer on set all the time," she commented. "They believe being that cute person will help them, but it often makes them bad performers. Alia was different—she kept herself quiet and focused, which impressed me greatly."
Limited Interaction But Lasting Impression
Ratna Pathak Shah admitted that she and Alia Bhatt exchanged very few words during the filming of 'Kapoor & Sons', partly because their characters never interacted directly in the storyline. "Unfortunately, we never had any scenes together," she said. "But I thought she was extremely gifted and focused. I liked her natural demeanor—she wasn't trying too hard to appear cute like some of her contemporaries."
About 'Kapoor & Sons'
The film 'Kapoor & Sons', directed by Shakun Batra and produced under Dharma Productions by Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar, and Apoorva Mehta, featured an ensemble cast including:
- Rishi Kapoor
- Sidharth Malhotra
- Fawad Khan
- Alia Bhatt
- Ratna Pathak Shah
- Rajat Kapoor
Set in the picturesque hill station of Coonoor, the story revolves around two brothers who return home after their grandfather suffers a heart attack, forcing them to confront unresolved family conflicts, hidden secrets, and emotional baggage.
Alia Bhatt's Upcoming Projects
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt continues to build her impressive filmography with several high-profile projects in the pipeline:
- 'Alpha' - Directed by Shiv Rawail, this film features Alia alongside Bobby Deol and Sharvari in lead roles.
- 'Love & War' - A Sanjay Leela Bhansali directorial starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal alongside Alia. This marks her third collaboration with Bhansali and her second project with both Ranbir and Vicky. The release date remains unannounced as the film is currently in production.
Ratna Pathak Shah's observations highlight a generational perspective on acting approaches in Bollywood, emphasizing substance over superficiality in performance artistry.
