Our heroines deserve better

Is there anything Alia Bhatt cannot do? Exactly one year ago, I had written a cover story for this newspaper headlined ‘Last actor standing,’ where I celebrated Bhatt as the sole headliner propping up a wounded industry.

- RAJA SEN

She had featured in the year’s biggest Indian film RRR, had kicked off as a producer with the critically applauded Darlings, and, with Gangubai Kathiawadi, she brought Hindi film audiences back to movie theatres. Since then we have had the successes of Brahmastra and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, films that demonstrate Bhatt’s unrelenting hold on the box-office. 

Last week, however, came Heart Of Stone. Bhatt’s first Hollywood release is a spy actioner featuring Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot and Belfast actor Jamie Dornan, produced by Netflix. Playing the film’s villain, Bhatt is visibly handicapped by having to act in English, with every line of dialogue—like “You’re going to secret agent our way back to civilisation and I’m going to follow three steps behind you with this gun”—uttered in a bewildering monotone, as if the actor is focussing on getting the syllables right, regardless of sentiment. Such a complete lack of voice modulation is a rare thing. Bhatt may be a performer at the peak of her powers, but this is her feeblest work.