In a heartfelt revelation on the debut episode of the latest season of Kareena Kapoor’s popular chat show, ‘What Women Want,’ Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt provided insights into her life, both personal and professional. As the sister-in-law of the host, Alia shared intimate details about her life, her new film ‘Jigra,’ and her experiences as a mother.
Alia, who became a mother in 2022 when she welcomed her daughter Raha with husband Ranbir Kapoor, delved deep into the challenges and joys of parenthood. One of the significant topics she discussed was the first public appearance of her daughter. Until last Christmas, Alia and Ranbir had kept their daughter’s face away from the public eye, urging the paparazzi not to capture Raha’s images. However, on Christmas Day, the couple decided to step out with their daughter for the first time in front of the paparazzi, a moment that left Alia particularly anxious.
During the show, Alia candidly admitted to Kareena that she has been clinically diagnosed with anxiety. She elaborated on how this diagnosis affects her, especially during significant public moments. Acknowledging the emotional turmoil she felt during Raha’s first public outing, Alia explained that Ranbir was exceptionally understanding of her feelings. She recounted, “He obviously understood that, and he said okay now you’re going to get really anxious so now let’s talk about it what your worst fear is.” The couple discussed and communicated extensively from their residence in Bandra to their destination in Juhu to ensure they were on the same page.
Alia wanted to be transparent about the anxieties she was facing and emphasized that the decision to introduce Raha to the public was not to create a spectacle.
. Instead, it was to embrace the inevitability of being public figures. “This is our life and I don’t want people to think that oh you can’t see my daughter’s face; that was not the intention,” she added, keen on clarifying that the move was a personal choice, not a public relations strategy.
The actress described the touching moment when Raha was photographed, recalling, “I just didn’t want it to be a whole thing, and that one moment happened, and it was such a cute moment where she was holding both our faces like that.” Despite this cute family moment, Alia admits that she remains somewhat nervous about her daughter being photographed and often requests photographers to avoid flashing lights directly at Raha’s face.
Beyond discussing the emotional journey of becoming a parent under the public eye, Alia also spoke about how she and Ranbir juggle parenthood duties. Alia handles the management of Raha’s day-to-day routine, ensuring her meals, sleep, and playtime are all in order. On the other hand, Ranbir takes on the role of the entertainer. Engaging Raha in creative games and playful activities, he is seen as the fun parent, with even filmmaker Ayan Mukerji being dubbed as one of the fun influences in Raha’s life, while Alia humorously concedes that she gets labeled as only slightly fun.
The discussion with Kareena Kapoor not only offered a glimpse into the personal life of Alia Bhatt but also highlighted her courageous approach to dealing with anxiety. Alia’s openness about her condition and its impact on her life serves as an important message to many who deal with similar feelings, breaking the stigma around mental health issues.
The chat session with Kareena Kapoor thus set the tone for an engaging season on ‘What Women Want,’ exploring the multifaceted experiences of womanhood through the lens of a celebrated celebrity like Alia Bhatt. Her revelations remind audiences of the normalcy of anxieties, the importance of supportive relationships, and the continuous learning curve of parenting.
