Ratna Pathak Shah Praises Alia Bhatt’s Professional Focus 

Veteran Ratna Pathak Shah critiques “cute” actresses while praising Alia Bhatt’s quiet on-set discipline.

Ratna Pathak Shah Praises

Is the modern film set becoming a playground for personalities rather than a workshop for actors?

Ratna Pathak Shah certainly thinks so. With over forty years in the trenches of Indian cinema, Shah has seen the industry transition from raw, focused artistry to a landscape often cluttered by excessive entourages and performative behavior.

In a recent conversation with Pinkvilla, she didn’t just critique the new generation; she pinpointed exactly where the “cuteness” ends and the craft begins, using Alia Bhatt as the gold standard for the modern professional.

Shah’s observations from their time together on Kapoor & Sons reveal a striking contrast to the typical “young actress” archetype. While many newcomers feel a desperate need to be the “cute entertainer”—acting as social glue to stay in the good graces of producers—Alia took a different route.

“She didn’t talk much,” Shah noted, highlighting that Alia spent her time at the monitor not just admiring her own shots, but meticulously observing how others worked. This quiet intensity is what Shah believes separates a “bad performer” from a “gifted” one.

The veteran actor’s critique of the “cutie” persona is particularly biting. She suggests that this need to be perceived as charming and bubbly on set isn’t just a personality trait; it’s a career-limiting trap. When an actor prioritizes being “the cutie person,” they often sacrifice the grit and focus required for transformative performances.

Key Takeaways on Professionalism:

• Observation Over Output: Staying at the monitor to watch veteran co-stars is a masterclass in itself.
• Selective Socializing: Professionalism doesn’t require constant chatter; sometimes, exchanging “only a few words” is the hallmark of a focused artist.
• The Focus Pivot: Alia’s upcoming roles in the spy-thriller Alpha and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War are a direct result of this disciplined foundation.

The Trap of “Likability” 

Many aspiring actors believe that their career longevity depends on how well-liked they are by the crew. While being easy to work with is vital, Shah implies that people often confuse “being nice” with “being effective.”

If you are too busy being the “set entertainer,” you aren’t doing the internal work required for the scene. Another common mistake is the belief that “gifted” actors don’t need to study the technicals.

Even a natural like Bhatt is praised by Shah specifically for her attentiveness to the monitor—the technical side of the craft—rather than just her raw emotional output.

As Alia Bhatt prepares to co-produce Don’t Be Shy with her sister Shaheen, it’s clear she has absorbed the business of filmmaking just as much as the art.

In an industry currently obsessed with “vibe” and “social media presence,” Ratna Pathak Shah’s endorsement serves as a reminder: the best performers are often the ones you hear the least from until the camera starts rolling.