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Alia Bhatt: As long as I am in people's minds, the jokes are okay

Two years and three successful films on, 21-year-old Alia Bhatt talks films, friends and what's in store for her future in acting.

Alia Bhatt may be just three-films-old but she's clearly riding on the wave of success.

Following her super debut with Student Of The Year, she floored naysayers with Imtiaz Ali's Highway and Abhshek Varman's 2 States with her versatility.

The young actress has now reunited with her SOTY costar Varun Dhawan in Shashank Khaitan-directed film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

Alia has also sung the unplugged version of the song Samjhawan from the film, which has become quite the rage online.

In this interview with Rediff.com's Rajul Hegde, Alia talks about the film, senior actors, music and her fashion sense.

How was it to work with Varun Dhawan again after Student Of The Year?

We had more scenes together in this one.

Unlike our first film, we weren't worried or confused about how to approach it. We brought a lot of variations to our dialogues and added energy to our scenes.

As our characters -- Humpty and Kavya -- we had a great time shooting for the film.

The dialogues were so effortless and organic that we would sometimes continue speaking like our characters even after they said 'cut'.

That's probably because we are very comfortable with each other.

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'Varun is one of my closest friends'

What's your equation with him in real life?

He is one of my closest friends.

We have known each other even before we became actors. 

How difficult was it to portray the character Kavya in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya?

Each film comes with its own challenges.

While Highway was the most challenging film for me, the character of Kavya is a typical Punjabi girl from Ambala.

To get her body language, the accent, and her aggression right was a big challenge.

'Karan Johar is like my mentor'

Are you going to be choosy while selecting a script from now on since all your films have done well? Do you feel the pressure to do better?

I will always be choosy. I wouldn't do a film for the sake of doing a film.

It has to have a connect or interest me on a different level altogether.

Yes, there is lot of pressure and that makes you work more. For that you have to go beyond people's expectations and constantly surprise them. I need to give the audience as much variety as possible.

Who do you take advice from when it comes to films?

I seek advice from Karan (Johar). He is like my mentor. He knows what is good and bad for me.

You said recently that it's scary when people compare you with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kajol. 

I take it as a compliment. But it's unfair to compare me with them because they have a huge body of work to their credit while I am just four films old.

It scares me because I have been in the industry for just two years and it's not like you can match up to them so early, may be after 40 films.

Kareena has been in the industry for 14 years and Kajol even longer.

'I have learnt a lot from Aishwarya as a dancer'

People now think that your role model has changed from Kareena Kapoor to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

I have always loved Kareena, Kajol and Ash.

What I mentioned was that I have learnt a lot from Aishwarya as a dancer. She is a superb dancer, the kind of finesse she has is amazing.

A lot of times before shooting a song, I just look at all her videos back to back to get some kind of inspiration.

Then you kind of remember these things while giving a shot because I always run through all my steps. In that sense, I find her a great inspiration.

Do you see yourself taking music seriously since you have sung a song in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya?

Yes, but not now.

I will try and get a formal training in music but my dad feels that I don't need to train. I will learn the piano to get a sense of music though.

'I have become much more secure and balanced'

How was your experience of working with Siddharth Shukla, who is making his film debut with Humpty Sharma...?

Siddharth is talented and a professional actor.

He is very sarcastic too. As I spent more time with him, I got to know that he is really funny. It was great fun working with him.

How have you evolved as an actor/person in the last few years?

I have changed a lot as a person because since I started working at 17.

I have become much more secure and balanced; there is no facade in my life.

As an actor, I have had the privilege of working with directors like Imtiaz (Ali, Highway), Abhishek (Varman, 2 States) and Shashank (Kaitan, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya).

I learnt a lot from all of them. I would like to believe that I have grown as an actor from my first film and hope to continue to do so.

'When my dad and Anupam Kher talk, it's never-ending'

How do you respond to jokes about your general knowledge on social media?

They are funny and I appreciate jokes.

As long as I am in people's minds, it's okay (grins).

Who are your best friends in the industry?

Arjun Kapoor, Varun and Abshishek (Varman) are close friends.

How was it shooting for Anupam Kher's talk show Kuch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai?

It was lovely.

When my dad and Anupam Kher talk, it's never-ending. And he has been a regular fixture at our house for a very long time -- they live next to each other.

So for me being on his show was special.

'I'm currently styling my looks according to my shoes'

Given a chance, would you act with any of the Khans?

If there is scope, I will definitely do it.

What's your personal style like?

At the moment, since I have hurt my foot, I'm wearing shoes a lot.

I have got five pairs of new shoes and I'm currently styling my looks according to my shoes.