Mahesh Bhatt Praises Soni Razdan's Nuance Over Alia Bhatt's Mainstream Acting!

Friday Sep 26, 2025

Mahesh Bhatt, the veteran filmmaker known for his unfiltered and often controversial remarks, has stirred up the debate on acting prowess by declaring his wife, Soni Razdan, to be a better actor than his superstar daughter, Alia Bhatt.

 

In a candid interview, the director praised Razdan's deep and subtle style, stating that her unique blend of body language and nuances is a cut above the mainstream performance style, even comparing her favourably to his globally recognized daughter.

 

 

Why Soni Razdan’s 'Nuances' Outshine Alia’s Stardom

 

The filmmaker elaborated that while Alia Bhatt has achieved phenomenal box office success and critical acclaim, particularly for films like Highway and Udta Punjab, her mother, Soni Razdan, possesses a more evolved and complex acting idiom.

 

Bhatt explained, "I find Soni Razdan a better actor than Alia. You'd wonder why I'm saying that? But her idiom is so evolved that even as her life partner, I couldn't give her enough roles because her style of expression, body language, and nuances are not what we call mainstream India."

 

• The Unconventional Artist: Mahesh Bhatt indicated that Razdan’s talent is too sophisticated for typical commercial cinema. He referenced her subtle, acclaimed performances in projects like 'Yours Truly' (2018) and the BBC show Neighbours as examples of her superior depth.
• The 'Banyan Tree' Analogy: Bhatt affectionately described his wife as being "like that banyan tree whose scent of stillness gets automatically conveyed onto the big screen. It's a magic that I haven't been able to get over."

 

 

Alia's Response: A Smart Daughter’s Respect

 

In a surprising revelation, Mahesh Bhatt recalled a time when he directly challenged Alia to recognize her mother's unique genius. This was during the peak of Alia's success with films like Udta Punjab.

 

 

Bhatt’s challenge to his daughter:

“Alia, before you develop a pride that there’s no better actor than you, go watch your mother’s film.”

 

According to the filmmaker, the National Award-winning actress, who is known for her intelligence, accepted the challenge and watched her mother's film, showing respect for the veteran actor’s talent. This moment highlights the healthy dynamic and high acting standards within the Bhatt family.

 

 

A Father’s Pride: Praising Alia’s Astounding Journey

 

Despite crowning Soni Razdan as the superior artist, Mahesh Bhatt did not hold back in praising Alia's own journey and phenomenal success. He confessed that the Gangubai Kathiawadi star consistently surprised him.

 

• Surpassing Expectations: "She astounded me," Bhatt admitted. "I did not think she was capable of this. She astounded me in Highway. She astounded me in Udta Punjab... She astounded me again and again.”
• A New-Age Star: Bhatt also commended Alia for successfully navigating her career alongside motherhood, citing her dedication to working while raising her daughter, Raha.

 

The Big Takeaway for Bollywood Fans

 

Mahesh Bhatt’s comment isn't meant to diminish Alia Bhatt’s status as one of the country's most successful and versatile contemporary actors. Instead, it serves as a powerful tribute to Soni Razdan’s subtle, under-recognized brilliance and a nod to the fact that true, evolved artistry often lies outside the bright glare of the commercial mainstream.

 

This familial comparison by a master filmmaker provides a rare insight into the varying forms of acting talent, from the mainstream dynamism of Alia Bhatt to the profound, nuanced stillness of Soni Razdan.

 

 

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