Exclusive | As 'Jawaani Jaaneman' clocks 4 Alaya F shares she 'didn't want to do acting no matter what’

In Pic: Alaya F

Alaya F made her Bollywood debut with the film ‘Jawaani Jaaneman' in 2020. She is the daughter of Pooja Bedi and granddaughter of Kabir Bedi. As 'Jawaani Jaaneman' recently clocked 4, we had an exclusive chat with Alaya, discussing her journey.

During the interview with midday.com, the actress revealed that she never planned to be an actor. For the longest time, she ran away from it, sharing, Alaya said, "You know, for the longest time, I ran away from acting. I saw my family in the industry, and I was like, ‘I want to do anything but this. I didn't want to do this no matter what,' and I ran away from it so much. But, the thing was that I loved the film. I really loved watching films on screen and just, you know, everything, moving content. Then I thought I'll be a director because even when I was in school, I used to direct a lot of short films or any content needed, you know, I would make it."

Furthermore, she revealed how she realized her calling and said, "In my direction program, there was one acting class where we had to learn how to direct actors. So in that, we had to act also, And that's when I was like, ‘I like this class more than all my classes combined.' That's when I was like, ‘My God, me running away from it was actually really so much. And, you know, I could memorise lines really quickly, and I was like, "I have an actual skill also at this.' So I went after thinking about it long and hard. I'd come back for my summer break, and, um, I secretly applied to acting school. I didn't tell anyone."

Alaya continued and shared that after she got into an acting school it was then she shared her dream with her family along with a 5-year plan. She revealed, "I recorded two scenes because we had to send that for audition. We had to send a few essays and transcripts and all of that. And, um, I sent everything in. When I got in, then I went to my parents, and I said, "Okay, I wanted to be an actor, but I've made this full plan. I've gotten into university also. I've, you know, this is my five-year plan and all. You have to do is say yes. I figured everything." So they were like, "Okay, you seem very serious about it." So I went, and I did it, and it was the best decision I ever made."

Alaya always chose unconventional roles. When asked if she ever felt scared she answered, "The audience who have seen my movies has liked my films and my performances. Now, more than seeking validation, my goal is to reach more audiences that I have not been able to reach with my films yet. I want to reach more mass audiences; I want to do more mass commercials. So, I think 2024 is the year I really want to explore that more."

Alaya then talked about her decision to make her debut with Saif Ali Khan's 'Jawaani Janeman,' calling it the best choice she ever made. She shared, "I mean, ‘Jawaani Jaaneman' is one of perhaps the best choices I ever made. The shooting was so lovely, and the response from the audience was incredibly positive and happy for me, from start to finish. Post that, of course, the pandemic happened, so that was an unhappy part of my journey because there was a three-year gap between my first film and my third film. Not counting those three years lost in between, I think I have lived every day of my career trying to make the most of everything, working hard, being professional, and making the most of every opportunity that has come my way. I enjoy that; I feel very blessed to be able to do this. This is a job that people dream to have, and I enjoy it for all of its highs and lows."

Stay tuned to midday.com for more updates.