Ratna Pathak Shah Says Young Actresses Try To Be 'Cute Entertainer On Set': 'Not Alia Bhatt...'

Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah has never shied away from voicing her observations about the film industry, and her latest remarks reflect both critique and appreciation. Speaking in a recent interview, the actor — whose career spans more than four decades across cinema, theatre and television — shared her thoughts on the working styles of younger performers, highlighting how one particular co-star stood apart from the trend she perceives.

Reflecting on her experience in the industry, Ratna noted that many young actresses appear eager to cultivate a certain on-set persona, which she believes can sometimes come at the cost of craft. At the same time, she singled out Alia Bhatt as an exception, recalling their association during the making of Kapoor

& Sons. The veteran actor pointed to Bhatt’s attentiveness and focus, describing it as striking.

“Bahot hi attentive hai wo, tab maine jo note kiya unke baare mein. (She was very attentive). She used to be on the monitor all the time. Not when she was acting, but when others were working. She observed very carefully,” Ratna said.

Expanding on her observations, Ratna contrasted Bhatt’s approach with a broader behavioural pattern she has noticed among newcomers. “She didn’t talk much, which is surprising because young actresses seem to feel the need to be the cute entertainer on the set all the time. They feel that being that cutie person is going to help them. It just makes them bad performers in many cases. Not Alia,” she added.

The actor further described Bhatt as disciplined and naturally talented, stressing that her impression came not from lengthy interactions but from quietly observing her work ethic. “I was very impressed by her. She kept herself very quiet. I don’t think we exchanged more than a few words. We never had any scenes together unfortunately. But I thought she was extremely gifted and focused. I liked her,” she concluded.

Ratna Pathak Shah’s reflections arrive amid ongoing discussions about professionalism, image-building and generational shifts in Bollywood’s workplace culture. Having built a diverse filmography that includes titles such as Mandi, Mirch Masala, Kapoor & Sons, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Thappad and Dhak Dhak, she continues to bring perspective shaped by decades of experience.