Updated on: 19 October, 2026 04:24 PM IST |Kavya Agarwal
14 years ago, Alia Bhatt stepped into Bollywood as Shanaya in "Student of the Year". Little did anyone know that the young debutante would go on to deliver powerful performances, win prestigious accolades and carve out a place of her own in the industry. Every star has a story, and Alia Bhatts is one of growth, grit and reinvention. Fourteen years into her journey, theres plenty to celebrate beyond the box-office numbers. Heres a look at the lesser-known facts that make Alias rise all the more fascinating.
"Student of The Year" was NOT Alia's debut movie
Before her lead debut in Student of the Year, Alia Bhatt appeared on screen at age six as a child actor playing young Preity Zinta in the 1999 thriller 'Sangharsh'.
Before her lead debut in Student of the Year, Alia Bhatt appeared on screen at age six as a child actor playing young Preity Zinta in the 1999 thriller 'Sangharsh'.
Do you know Alia Bhatt's nickname?
Alia Bhatt's family called her "Aloo," which her father Mahesh Bhatt playfully extended to nicknames like "Aloo Kalu" or "Aloo Baalu".
Alia Bhatt's family called her "Aloo," which her father Mahesh Bhatt playfully extended to nicknames like "Aloo Kalu" or "Aloo Baalu".
Do you know Alia Bhatt's physical quirks & habits?
Everyone has some quirks! As for Alia, she ones revealed that she cannot wink, she has a habit of touching her nose immediately after a film shot wraps, she is bad at physical shopping (preferring online shopping instead), often picking an item up, walking around, and putting it back. Instead of applying lipstick normally on her lips, she presses her mouth directly against the lipstick and rubs it off.
Everyone has some quirks! As for Alia, she ones revealed that she cannot wink, she has a habit of touching her nose immediately after a film shot wraps, she is bad at physical shopping (preferring online shopping instead), often picking an item up, walking around, and putting it back. Instead of applying lipstick normally on her lips, she presses her mouth directly against the lipstick and rubs it off.
Alia has also been into sports!
In school, Alia Bhatt was an avid handball player and enrolled in Shiamak Davar’s dance academy at age four. She also likes to unwind by painting with charcoal.
In school, Alia Bhatt was an avid handball player and enrolled in Shiamak Davar’s dance academy at age four. She also likes to unwind by painting with charcoal.
What is Alia Bhatt's pre-release ritual?
Alia Bhatt allows herself five days of intense anxiety before the premiere of any film to process her fear of success or failure before moving forward
Alia Bhatt allows herself five days of intense anxiety before the premiere of any film to process her fear of success or failure before moving forward
