Alia: Actresses don’t talk about their private lives because there is a lot of slut-shaming

Stardom comes with a price and the price you pay is generally freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom to wander outside when you want and freedom to wear what you want. Actors are being subjected to constant scrutiny and Alia Bhatt is the only bold actress to talk about this. Despite belonging to a film family, Ms Bhatt has paved her way to success since the age of 19.

In a chat with a popular daily, Alia spoke at length about stardom in India and the downside to being a star.

On being asked, what is the hardest part about being ‘Alia Bhatt,’ she said, “That you’ve to be correct all the time. That you don’t get the chance to be wrong. As a star, I am a role model and I need to convey the ‘right’ message – you see there’s a moral code sneaking in there. Young girls idealize you and follow your every move and you can’t deviate too far from a set construct. You can have opinions, but the opinion needs to be the right one or you’ll piss a whole lot of people off and trigger a shit-storm. It’s really hard if you think about it. You need to come across as happy, chirpy and pretend to be ultra-awesome like all the time. Nahi hai, yaar. I am having an awful day. I cannot pretend to be happy. Give me a day off, man. But no, as Alia Bhatt, I am always on duty, always acting.”

There’s a general tendency in India to constantly ape the West. What our stars have never managed to handle well is relationships, which Hollywood is pretty open about. When asked why the conservatism when it comes to talking openly about love, Alia stated, “Because ours is a very real price to pay. In India, you are a part of a society that’s very judgmental. Here, girls having multiple boyfriends is still a huge-ass deal and something that is frowned upon. I mean, look at Taylor Swift. She’s dated, like, everybody. But if she was here, she’d be totally shamed for making those choices. Her image and appeal would be very different. The reason actresses don’t talk about their private lives is because in our society there is a lot of slut-shaming. Eventually, I have a responsibility and I have to protect myself.”

She further added, “It’s important that I am seen in a certain way, it’s just the way it is. Speculations about celebrities are commonplace but as long as it’s not coming from the horse’s mouth, you’re quite safe, so to speak.”

Wow, that was an honest and bold opinion. Well said Alia, more power to you!