Alia Bhatt has often displayed immense talent on screen, but her personal image continues to divide opinions. As the young star turns another year older, it's worth taking a closer look at her meteoric rise in Bollywood and the puzzling hate she receives online.
Widely praised for powerful performances in films like Highway and Gangubai Kathiawadi, Alia is without a doubt one of India's most bankable stars today. However, her private life continues to be scrutinized and criticized unlike her contemporaries. While she reminds audiences of her acting prowess with every new role, the actress finds herself having to constantly defend attacks on social media.
Her journey is a textbook example of how public perception is no longer limited to one's work. From critics' darling to public's punching bag, Alia's story underlines the double standards faced by female celebrities. While her successful career is celebrated, personal details are dissected and used against her. This begs the question – have we stopped judging artists based on merit alone?
As Alia turns another year older, it's time for some introspection. Instead of attacking her character, her supporters and critics would do well to acknowledge both her talent and humanity. The star still has many more stories left to tell on screen. One hopes audiences allow her the space to do just that, without the added pressure of unfair social media trials.
