‘Not Alia Bhatt’s Fault That She Is Mahesh Bhatt’s Daughter’: Soni Razdan Comes Out in Support of ‘Alpha’ Actress and Her Child Amid Nepotism Debate (Watch Video)
Soni Razdan, veteran actress and mother of Alia Bhatt, has strongly defended her daughter against the 'nepo kid' tag in a recent Zoom interview, stating Alia 'can't help whose child she is.' Razdan lauded Alia's unique film choices, from 'Highway' to 'Gangubai Kathiawadi', highlighting her talent and hard work amidst the ongoing nepotism debate.
In a candid conversation, veteran actress Soni Razdan has offered a staunch defence of her daughter, Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt, addressing the perennial 'nepo kid' tag that frequently shadows her career. Razdan emphasised that Alia's birth into a film family is not a choice, reiterating her daughter's merit and hard work in establishing her place in the industry. The remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about nepotism in Bollywood, a topic that often sees Alia Bhatt at its forefront. ‘India's Got Latent S2’ Premiere Episode: Alia Bhatt Refuses to Laugh at ‘Epstein Island’ Joke on Samay Raina’s Netflix Show, ‘Alpha’ Actress Garners Praise (Watch Video).
Soni Razdan Says Alia Can't Help Her Parentage
Speaking exclusively to Zoom, Soni Razdan unequivocally stated, "Alia can't help whose child she is. That's not her fault." Razdan, who herself navigated the industry as an outsider, highlighted her personal struggles to achieve success, noting, "I was not a product of the industry. I struggled as an actor, as a human being, to come into this industry, and I'm not even half as successful or quarter as successful as many other successful women of my time." She underscored the unfairness of the world, advising against blaming others for one's own lack of success. "From the word go, there is nothing fair about the world. The world is an unfair place," she added. Razdan also recalled that when she entered the industry, many were children of established figures, but she chose to focus on her own work.
She further asserted that while Alia might have received an initial audition for her debut film Student Of The Year (2012) due to her connections, everything thereafter has been solely due to her talent and perseverance. "Once that first step is over, it's her hard work. If that audition had gone wrong and somebody had decided that she was hopeless, she wouldn't have gotten the role," Razdan clarified.
Praising Alia Bhatt's Distinct Film Choices and Evolution
Beyond defending her daughter's lineage, Soni Razdan was effusive in her praise for Alia Bhatt's professional trajectory and her astute selection of roles. "Her evolution as an actor is remarkable. Right from the get-go, she was very unusual in her choices," Razdan remarked. She specifically highlighted Alia's decision to take on a film like Highway (2014) immediately after her glamorous debut in Student Of The Year, calling it a defining moment.
"After Student Of The Year, most actors would not have looked at a film like Highway, which she did immediately; that really defined her and set her apart from her peers, stating that here is a person who wants to be taken seriously in this business. She is not here to just wear pretty dresses, high heels, and dance and sing," Razdan explained. ‘Lovely Experience’: Soni Razdan on Working With Karisma Kapoor and Helen in ‘Brown’, and the ZEE5 Series’ Success (LatestLY Exclusive).
Alia Bhatt's career since then has indeed been marked by a diverse filmography and significant critical and commercial success. She has consistently balanced mainstream commercial cinema with more content-driven projects, earning numerous accolades. ‘Why Is She Everywhere?’: Alia Bhatt To Join Prabhas’ ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Sequel? Netizens React to Viral Casting Report.
Watch Soni Razdan's Interview:
Razdan's defence highlights the ongoing challenges faced by 'star kids' and underscores Alia Bhatt's undeniable talent and dedicated pursuit of diverse roles, which have cemented her position as one of Bollywood's leading actresses.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 12:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
