Alia Bhatt in Student of the Year

In a candid interview with India Today, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt reflected on his daughter Alia Bhatt's evolution as an actress, expressing pride in her performances in films like 'Highway' and 'Udta Punjab', while criticizing her debut role in 'Student of the Year' as akin to a 'mannequin'. He was particularly moved by her ability to master an 'adivasi' accent in 'Udta Punjab', highlighting the remarkable growth he has witnessed in her acting skills over the years. Mahesh noted that Alia's performances demonstrate her raw power and vulnerability, marking a significant departure from her early work. He also mentioned being deeply touched by her becoming a mother in 2022. Despite Alia's successful career, Mahesh's directorial legacy has been overshadowed by the poor reception of 'Sadak 2', which he declared would be his last film. While he reflects on his daughter's accomplishments, he admits to feeling outdated and like a 'has-been' in the industry.