Alia Bhatt At 32 : The Movies That Made Her A Powerhouse In Bollywood

Add as a preferred source on Google

Let's be real-Koffee with Karan has given us some of Bollywood's most iconic (and awkward) moments. And back in 2013, Alia Bhatt unknowingly gave the internet one of its favourite memes. When asked who the President of India was, she confidently answered, "Prithviraj Chauhan," instead of Pranab Mukherjee. The internet ran wild, turning her into a meme sensation overnight.

Instead of sulking, Alia took it in stride. She even collaborated with All India Bakchod (AIB) for a parody video, Alia Bhatt: Genius of the Year, proving she could laugh at herself. But beyond the jokes, she was determined to prove that she was more than just a privileged star kid. Over the years, she has built a strong filmography, choosing roles that challenge her, earning a National Award for Gangubai Kathiawadi, venturing into South Indian cinema with RRR, and even stepping into production with Darlings and lately Jigra.

Photo Credit: www.instragram.com/aliabhatt

So, on her birthday, let's take a look at some of the standout films that helped redefine her career.

Highway (2014) - Breaking Free

This was the film where people started seeing Alia in a different light. In Highway, she played Veera, a young woman who finds freedom in the most unexpected way-after being kidnapped. The vulnerability, rawness, and emotional depth in her performance made it clear that she wasn't here just for the glitz and glamour.

Veera's emotional outburst as she recalls her childhood trauma. The way she shifts from pain to catharsis in a single monologue made this scene unforgettable.

Udta Punjab (2016) - No Glam, Just Grit

If Highway made people take notice, Udta Punjab cemented her credibility. Playing a nameless migrant worker caught in Punjab's drug crisis, Alia completely shed her glamorous image. The bruises, the desperation, and the heartbreak in her performance made it one of her most gut-wrenching roles to date.

The monologue where she painfully recounts how a simple search for a good time led her into unimaginable horrors. The heartbreak and helplessness in her voice made it one of the most haunting moments of the film.

Raazi (2018) - Spy With A Heart

In Raazi, Alia played Sehmat, a young woman who becomes an undercover spy for India during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. The film wasn't about high-octane action sequences but about quiet intensity, and she delivered a performance filled with raw emotion and conviction.

There is a tense confrontation where Sehmat points a gun at her husband, torn between her mission and the emotional bond she has developed with him. The controlled intensity in her expressions and her dialogues made this scene deeply compelling.

Darlings (2022) - Taking Charge On And Off Screen

By the time Darlings came around, Alia wasn't just acting-she was producing too. This dark comedy about domestic abuse had her playing Badrunissa, a woman who decides she's had enough of her abusive husband. The film was both entertaining and impactful, proving that Alia wasn't afraid to back meaningful stories.

The highlight of the movie is when Badrunissa finally confronts her husband, flipping the power dynamic in a way that is both intense and deeply satisfying

Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) - The Ultimate Transformation

And then came Gangubai Kathiawadi-the film that won her a National Award. Playing Gangubai, a woman who goes from being sold into prostitution to becoming a powerful figure in Mumbai's red-light district, Alia delivered a powerhouse performance, carrying the entire film on her shoulders even when many doubted from the trailer if she could do so.

Gangubai's speech demanding dignity and rights for sex workers, delivered with commanding presence and raw emotion, turned it into one of the most iconic moments of her career.

From Trolled To Triumph

Alia Bhatt's journey has been quite the ride. From being at the centre of internet jokes to becoming one of Bollywood's most bankable actors, she has managed to carve her own path. But acting isn't the only thing on her plate. She has also launched her own business, Ed-a-Mamma, focusing on sustainable clothing for children. Off-screen, she is balancing life as the wife of Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor and mother to their daughter, Raha.

Juggling a thriving career, a business, and motherhood is no easy feat, but Alia seems to be managing it all with grace. Here's to Alia Bhatt-wishing her a happy birthday and looking forward to what she does next!