Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Alia Bhatt: More Than an Actress - Singer, Entrepreneur & More

Alia Bhatt, one of India's highest-paid actresses, shines not just on the screen but in several other roles as well.

When Alia Bhatt shared the screen with Gal Gadot in the Hollywood thriller 'Heart of Stone', I found it quite interesting. Because, much like Gadot’s on-screen character, Alia is a real-life Wonder Woman. Since her debut with 'Student of the Year', she has only soared higher, becoming a force to be reckoned with. Just look at her journey - it’s so incredible (not to mention inspiring) how much she has accomplished at such a young age. A National Film Award, six Filmfare Awards, a Time100 Impact Award, and many more - she truly stands in a league of her own, and there’s no doubt she will achieve even greater heights in the future.

However, acting is just one side of Alia’s brilliance. She excels in several other fields as well, and everything she touches turns to gold. Today, on her 32nd birthday, let's have a look at the other sides of her career.

The Singer

Besides her successful acting career, Alia has showcased her vocal talents on several occasions. In 2014, she lent her voice to "Sooha Saaha" in 'Highway' and delivered an unplugged rendition of "Samjhawan" for 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania'. Her musical journey continued with "Ikk Kudi" in 'Udta Punjab' and "Love You Zindagi" in 'Dear Zindagi'. She also performed "Humsafar" for 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' and "Tum Se Hi (Reprise)" for 'Sadak 2'.

On the other hand, Alia has graced various stages as well, including award ceremonies like Filmfare and Stardust. In 2016, she toured multiple U.S. cities during the "Dream Team 2016" tour alongside Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Sidharth Malhotra, Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Parineeti Chopra, and Badshah.

(Credit: Dharma Productions)

Reflecting on her singing journey, she once mentioned, "God gave me a good voice so that I could sing to my daughter. I listen to different lullabies and make impromptu songs if I need to distract Raha. I create random songs and discover new tunes to the extent that I need to start recording these tunes!"

The Entrepreneur

Alia's entrepreneurial spirit is evident through her diverse ventures. In 2018, she launched her own line of handbags for VIP Industries. Her sustainable children's clothing brand, Ed-a-Mamma, introduced in 2020, has seen significant growth, with an estimated valuation of ₹1.5 billion as of July 2023. She has also invested in the beauty e-commerce platform Nykaa and India's first biomaterial startup, Phool.co.

Discussing her investment philosophy, Alia shared in an interview, "When I invest, I am investing in the story, in the people, and the vision. I am not really big on numbers. I do get it but that's not the first thing I think of. Sometimes, the numbers could really make sense but the idea may not make sense to me on paper...so, I may not go ahead with it. It may not be the most profound way of making investments. I like to keep it familiar to what I know, which is telling stories."

(Credit: Eternal Sunshine Productions)

Additionally, she owns the production house, Eternal Sunshine Productions. Her debut production, 'Darlings', released on Netflix, received widespread critical acclaim.

The Philanthropist

What sets Alia apart from many others is her commitment to social causes. In 2013, she participated in a PETA campaign to raise awareness about homeless animals. She launched an ecological initiative, CoExist, in 2017, focusing on the welfare of street animals. Through her initiative, Mi Wardrobe is Su Wardrobe (MiSu), she auctions her personal clothing to support various societal causes. Notably, she sold sarees worn in 'Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani' to raise funds for women's healthcare.

(Credit: Alia Bhatt)

Alia Bhatt isn’t just a powerhouse performer - her diverse ventures reflect her versatility as a person as well. And beyond her professional achievements, she is also a devoted daughter, a supportive wife, and a loving mother. On her birthday, we wish her even greater success in all that she takes on next!