New Delhi: Alia Bhatt, whose journey in the entertainment industry began with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year in 2012, has now come full circle, marking her transition from rom-coms to a more diverse cinematic landscape. Fresh off the success of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, helmed by the same director, she’s now gearing up for her international debut alongside Gal Gadot in Tom Harper’s Heart of Stone.

From the enticing glimpse provided by the spy thriller’s trailer, it’s apparent that Alia’s character, Keya Dhawan, assumes the role of the antagonist. Pursuing the enigmatic “Heart,” a technological marvel with the potential to control the world, her character reflects a distinct shift in Alia’s on-screen persona. This venture marks Alia’s maiden portrayal of a villain, an exploration that required meticulous attention to detail.

In a candid interview with Hindustan Times, Alia delved into the dynamics of embodying a villain. She emphasized the significance of aligning herself with the character’s perspective and motivations. Alia explained, “Keya’s passion, her requirement, need or want for the Heart has reason, it has purpose. And she believes in that. For her, she’s not the bad guy. So you need to fully commit to that moment as an actor.” This immersion, she highlighted, enables her to display both facets of Keya’s persona with clarity and precision.

The actor also highlighted the delightful interplay between the serious aspects of her role and moments of levity, where Keya’s wit and sarcasm come to the fore. “Of course, there are those in-between moments where she’s being sassy and a bit heavy-handed with the sarcasm, which is great. It’s built into the writing. And it’s a first for me. So I had a lot of fun really juicing those moments,” Alia noted.

Heart of Stone not only showcases riveting plotlines but also resonates with themes of sisterhood. Alia’s on-screen partnership with Gal Gadot mirrors their off-screen camaraderie. Gal, having herself entered new territories with Wonder Woman, stands firmly behind Alia’s endeavors in the international arena. A pivotal scene in the movie brings Gal’s character to express empathy for men lacking the support she enjoys, leading to a compelling connection between the protagonists.

Alia’s venture into film production under her banner Eternal Sunshine Productions commenced with Darlings, a film centered around sisterhood. Yet, Alia emphasized her commitment to stories that underscore harmony among diverse genders. She elaborated, “It should not be limited to one gender. It should just be different people, their personal journeys, and their coming together. We want to tell a truly equal-footing kind of cinema.”

While endorsing equality in storytelling, Alia advocates for multidimensional portrayals of women. She highlighted the allure of characters defying conventions and engaging in captivating power dynamics. “It’s way more entertaining to see two women fight and outsmart each other. Of course, those dynamics are way more interesting than to see them sitting and gossiping at lunchtime. Those things are interesting to play with. But I think it should be a balance of both,” Alia elucidated.

As anticipation for Heart of Stone’s premiere on Netflix grows, Alia Bhatt’s enigmatic portrayal promises to be a riveting highlight, showcasing her dynamic range and readiness to embrace diverse and challenging roles.