Bollywood Sensation Alia Bhatt Receives Rave Reviews for Gal Gadot Thriller: Unleashing a Ferocious Talent
Alia Bhatt, a rising Bollywood star, impresses in her debut American production, Heart of Stone The director commends her ferocious talent, contributing to a positive trend of diverse casting in Hollywood
Summary
Alia Bhatt's casting in Heart of Stone reflects Hollywood's positive trend of spotlighting Indian creatives on screen.
Netflix has significantly influenced this trend by obtaining streaming rights for Indian films such as RRR and casting Dhanush in The Gray Man. Additionally, renowned Indian actors like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Irrfan Khan have successfully made the transition to American-based productions.
Alia Bhatt, known for her work in Hindi productions, has made her debut in an American-produced film titled Heart of Stone. Director Tom Harper expressed his excitement and admiration for Bhatt's performance in the movie. In Heart of Stone, Bhatt plays the role of Keya Dhawan, a computer hacker who aims to steal The Heart, an advanced artificial intelligence, from a secretive organization called The Charter. Her motivations stem from seeking revenge against Indian criminal syndicates that left her orphaned. This marks Bhatt's first venture outside of her extensive work in Indian-based projects, such as the highly successful Telugu action drama RRR and the fantasy adventure trilogy Brahmāstra: Part One - Shiva.
In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Tom Harper discussed Heart of Stone. When asked about casting Alia Bhatt as one of the main villains in the movie and his experience working with the Bollywood star, the director praised her exceptional performance in the action-packed thriller. He described her as a "ferocious talent" and commended Netflix for their efforts in expanding casting opportunities to international territories, which house "many great talented people." Read below for Harper's full comments.
The streamers offer a great advantage in this increasingly global market. As they release content simultaneously worldwide, they have become more aware of the abundance of talented individuals in different countries. It's not only Alia but also Matthias, Gal, Jing, and Jamie who form a truly multinational cast. Their inclusion in the story feels organic and adds to its appeal. Alia, in particular, embodies the qualities of a ferocious, luminous, and charismatic movie star while also being a genuine artist. With a vast body of work and honed skills, it's a pleasure to collaborate with her. A significant aspect of her contribution was bringing authenticity to her character, who was originally meant to be Indian. Alia delved into the character's background, suggesting nuances in her origin and expression. Her commitment to authenticity, along with a clear understanding of her character's motivations, created a grounded and compelling portrayal. This makes the audience believe in and become invested in the character.
How Bhatt's Heart of Stone Casting Continues A Positive Hollywood Trend
Bhatt's casting in Heart of Stone signifies a positive continuation of Hollywood's recent trend of giving more visibility to Indian creatives on the screen, something that has been observed at different times over the years. Netflix, in particular, has played a significant role in this trend by acquiring the streaming rights for RRR, which propelled it to international success and made it the first Indian film produced by Indians to win an Oscar. Another blockbuster production by Netflix, The Gray Man, also featured Dhanush in the role of a tough and formidable mercenary.
Notable Indian actors who have successfully transitioned to American-based productions include Priyanka Chopra Jonas and the late Irrfan Khan. Chopra Jonas made her English-language debut in the 2013 documentary Girl Rising and the Cars spin-off Planes before achieving success with ABC's spy thriller Quantico, her portrayal of Sati in The Matrix Resurrections, and her involvement in Amazon Prime Video's Citadel, which is currently in development for a second season. Khan, although having a few English productions to his credit earlier, gained international recognition with his role in The Namesake (2006) and went on to co-star in films such as Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited, Ang Lee's Life of Pi, and the first Jurassic World movie, among others.
Heart of Stone's negative critical reviews continue Netflix's trend for its blockbuster productions. However, its popularity among viewers is guaranteed to elevate Bhatt's recognition among international audiences. Moreover, the film concludes with Keya joining forces with Rachel (played by Gal Gadot) and Jack (played by Matthias Schweighöfer) in The Charter, hinting at potential franchise plans and further opportunities for the established actor in American-based projects.
