Alia Bhatt has once again become the centre of online debate after a statement from her recent interview went viral. The actress, who is currently representing a beauty brand at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, is receiving mixed reactions on social media over her views on Indian cinema and audience trends.
During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Alia Bhatt spoke about changing audience dynamics in films. While her comments aimed to highlight inclusivity in storytelling, a section of social media users interpreted her statement differently, triggering backlash and heated discussions online.
Alia Bhatt’s ‘Gender Agnostic Cinema’ Comment Goes Viral
In the interview, Alia Bhatt referred to global films and discussed how storytelling often targets specific audiences. She then reflected on the Indian film industry and questioned the long-standing belief that movies should primarily cater to male audiences based on box office data.
Alia Bhatt said, “In India, somehow when we talk about box office numbers, there’s a conversation that comes up pretty often, ‘oh 75% of movie-going audience is male, so we need to cater to the mass’. This conversation comes up quite a bit. But, I only wonder if we are catering just to the men, then what happens to the women?”
She further added, “I am not saying that we alienate the men, but then why do we have to alienate anybody? Why do we have to cater to one gender? Why can’t we make movies that are gender agnostic where the storytelling takes centre stage? Whether it stars a man or a woman, that should not matter. It is the storytelling that should matter. So, I am just hoping we have more of that.”
Her “gender agnostic” remark quickly went viral, sparking online reactions.
Following her statement, social media platforms saw divided opinions. While some users supported her perspective on inclusive storytelling, others criticised her remarks and linked them to ongoing industry debates. A section of users even dragged in Dhurandhar, suggesting comparisons with recent film trends and box office discussions.
One X user wrote, “Alia Bhatt’s jealousy over not being part of Dhurandhar is starting to become visible now. She has a problem with why Indian movies are male-centred. She argues against the practice of catering to just one gender, suggesting that storytelling should be gender agnostic.”
Another commented, “Raazi bana li na tumne? That too twisting the original according to your narrative & ideology.”
A third user said, “It’s funny how the conversation didn’t occur to her when Animal came out…”
One more wrote, “She already did Razi, Jigra, Gangubai, Dear Zindagi. Does she wants all female led movies for herself? Movies like Dhudandhar are loved by men and women alike because STORY is gender agnostic. Patriotism doesn’t see gender. If Aditya Dhar made Dhurandhar, he also made Article 370.”
A netizen also tweeted, “Where was this statement when her husband did animal. The most misogynistic, sexist film to ever come out of Bollywood.”
Despite the ongoing online debate, Alia Bhatt has not issued any clarification or response to the backlash.
Alia Bhatt: Upcoming Movies
On the work front, Alia Bhatt will next be seen in Alpha, the first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe, co-starring Sharvari Wagh and releasing on July 10, 2026.
She will also reunite with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love And War, alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal, which is scheduled for a 2027 theatrical release.
