mid-day Opinion: Aila! Leave Alia alone for God’s sake

Alia Bhatt in a Tamara Ralph dress at Cannes this year. Pic/Instagram/@aliaabhatt

Alia Bhatt can never be accused of being a nepo baby. Her talent is undeniable. Anyone who has watched Highway, or Udta Punjab, or even Gangubai Kathiawadi, will vouch for her acting chops. She has what it takes to be at the top of her game.

So, I am surprised that she isn't the darling of social media. Ever since she goofed up on Koffee with Karan in 2013 for not knowing who the President of India was - in fact, what she said was that "Prithviraj Chauhan" was the President, she has earned the reputation of being an airhead. It's 13 years later, and she still hasn't been able to live it down. Maybe Karan wanted her to trip - why ask this question when you should have been asking her some random "kill, date, marry" type of question? Every interview of hers is scrutinised, and dissected - all with the lens of her being tone deaf, muhfat, and hence, saying silly things.

Then there is her relationship with her husband Ranbir Kapoor - whom she first met when she was nine years old and he was 20. Now, their dynamic is perceived as toxic and Kapoor has been tagged as a "red flag". This has been fuelled by Alia's own comments such as Ranbir asking her to "wipe off" her lipstick because he prefers the natural colour of her lips, or him commenting on her pregnancy weight gain. Then there was that issue of her hosting an award show, which many thought was awkward and "cringe". Oh Alia!

And now, she is at Cannes, and all the good folks of social media feel she was "ignored" by paparazzi during one of her photo moments. In a video, while the actress waved at the paps on the red carpet, a group of photographers was visibly ignoring her, even putting their cameras down.

My question is, even if that was true - how is that her fault?

The Cannes film festival was originally founded in 1939 by French Minister Jean Zay to give a fight to the Venice Film Festival, which some felt had become influenced by fascist political propaganda. Its first edition was held in 1946 (it was delayed because of the outbreak of World War II), and the attendees included actors like Sophia Loren and Kirk Douglas, artists like Pablo Picasso, and directors like Walt Disney, journalists and government representatives of 19 countries. The point of going to the festival is to network, network, and network, as you debut films, and secure international distribution deals.

Now, why is Alia there? It's because the official partner of the festival, L'Oréal Paris, has taken her. What is L'Oréal Paris doing there? Same as everyone - networking, branding, going viral. Why is she a global brand ambassador of L'Oréal Paris? It's because she is a multi-hyphenate - an award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur.

Now, who can say she is not meant to be there? She is a working actress, who also produces films and has her own brand. At least she is not an influencer who has nothing to do with films. This year, Rida Tharana has gone to Cannes, so has Sufi Motiwala. And of course, so has Urvashi Rautela. In Alia's case, she deserves to be there.

She also looks great - there is nothing mind-blowing about any of her outfits - but there is no doubt she looks beautiful. Either in her ivory Tarun Tahiliani, or her fairy-tale Yash Patil gown, or in her blush pink Tamara Ralph dress - she is stunning.

As for the paps, well they needn't know her. And sometimes, they possibly don't have the mindspace to know everyone. The event is a chaotic one, with international photographers, who fail to recognise everyone. Would Viral Bhayani (if he ever travelled to Cannes, and knowing him, he just might soon) know Korean director Na Hong-jin, who is at Cannes to promote his sci-fi thriller Hope? I don't think so.

Reports show that photographers at only official agencies like Getty Images are briefed and photograph everyone, while freelance and international paps only rely on photographing Hollywood A-listers. The red carpet then becomes a place where only the most recognisable names get photographed.

It's time we judged Alia by what she does best - act. And that she does very well. As far as her husband is concerned - well, whatever you may think of him, it's she who has to see him as toxic. She has actually said all her comments were taken out of context, and that she is "able to be her truest, authentic self when she is with him". Well, good for her, I say. She seems independent enough to call him out if he does become toxic in the future, so I am not worried about her.

As far as Cannes goes, Alia has herself responded to a troll that commented on the paps not noticing her. And it's hit the nail on the head. The troll said, "What a pity no one noticed you", and Alia replied,
"Why pity, love? You noticed me."

Love it.

See you next time!

Ranting and raving about all that's trending on social media, Aastha Atray Banan is an author, creator, podcaster, and the Editor of your favourite weekend read, Sunday mid-day. She posts at @aasthaatray on Instagram.
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The views expressed in this column are the individual's and don't represent those of the paper.