Rising Bollywood actress Alaya F has candidly opened up about her journey in the film industry, marking four years since her debut movie ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’ graced screens nationwide. Despite her lineage as the daughter of Pooja Bedi and granddaughter of Kabir Bedi, Alaya revealed that becoming an actor was not always on her agenda. During her conversation with midday.com, the starlet gave us an insight into the unconventional path that led her to the silver screen.
Originally on a trajectory drastically different from acting, Alaya expressed her initial aversion to following in her family’s footsteps. “For the longest time, I ran away from acting. I saw my family in the industry, and I was like, ‘I want to do anything but this,” Alaya recounted. Despite her reservations about the profession, her affection for cinema was undeniable. She enjoyed films immensely and considered pursuing a career behind the camera instead. She reminisced about directing short films and creative content during her school days, seemingly pointing herself towards a director’s chair more than the spotlight.
However, a mandatory acting class in her direction program served as a catalyst, uncovering a dormant passion and talent for performance. “I liked this class more than all my other classes combined,” Alaya admitted. This realization set her on an entirely new course. Returning home during a summer break, she took a significant leap of faith, secretly enrolling in acting school without initially informing her family.
After successfully auditioning and planning out her next five years, Alaya eventually approached her family to share her intentions of becoming an actor along with her well-thought-out career blueprint. Their support followed soon after realizing her seriousness and dedication to the craft. “When I got in [to acting school], then I went to my parents… I said, “Okay, I wanted to be an actor, but I’ve made this full plan… You have to do is say yes. I figured everything.”
Discussing her choice of roles, Alaya has displayed a penchant for non-traditional characters and narratives. She expressed no fear but rather a drive to connect with a larger audience base. “I want to reach more mass audiences; I want to do more mass commercials,” she stated, viewing 2024 as a significant year for expansion and exploration in her blossoming career.
When reflecting on her decision to launch her cinematic journey alongside Saif Ali Khan in ‘Jawaani Jaaneman,’ Alaya regards this as one of her wisest decisions. The shooting experience and the positive audience response solidified the start of what she now considers a gratifying career despite its ups and downs, including the pandemic which introduced an unforeseen gap in her work. “Post that, the pandemic happened, so that was an unhappy part of my journey because there was a three-year gap between my first film and my third film,” she elaborated.
Today, Alaya looks back on her journey with appreciation for every step, emphasizing the importance of hard work, professionalism, and seizing every opportunity. Her unexpected venture into acting has become a source of joy and fulfillment, in sharp contrast to her initial reluctance. “This is a job that people dream to have, and I enjoy it for all of its highs and lows,” Alaya shares with a reflective smile.
As Alaya F continues to captivate audiences with her performances and storytelling, enthusiasts and the film fraternity alike eagerly await her ventures ahead. Be sure to follow midday.com for continuous updates on Alaya’s inspiring career and upcoming projects.
