The clash did not bother me, says Alia Bhatt of RRR vs Gangubai Kathiawadi

Actress Alia Bhatt has revealed that she was not unduly concerned when SS Rajamouli's RRR: Roudram Ranam Rudhiram (2022) and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) were heading for a clash on the big screen.

Both films starring Alia Bhatt were scheduled to be released on the same date, 7 January 2022, before Bhansali decided to postpone his project to 18 February.

Speaking at the trailer launch of RRR alongside director SS Rajamouli and actors Ajay Devgn and Jr NTR yesterday, Bhatt said, "I was not concerned about the clash even before. I think I am someone who trusts my directors and producers. SS Rajamouli and SLB are who they are because of their understanding of cinema."

The actress seemed to echo director Rajamouli, who had expressed a similar vein of thoughts in October at a promotional event. The filmmaker had said, "I always believe if the films are good [the clash won’t affect them]. Even if four films come together, people will watch all the films. It happens again and again, and if you look back at history, there are multiple instances. People will be spoilt for choice."

Producer Jayantilal Gada of Pen Entertainment seemed to imply, however, that Bhatt did have a role to play in the decision to postpone Gangubai Kathiawadi. Gada, who is also the producer for Gangubai Kathiawadi, hinted, "This has Alia's interesting role. One can say that the date was shifted because of her."

Bhatt, however, was quick to deny the suggestion. "I didn't do anything," she replied. "I just follow my producers and directors. If you tell me to do this, I will do it."

RRR is Bhatt's first bilingual film. Describing the challenges of shooting for the Rajamouli project, she said, "My only challenge was to learn to speak in Telugu. In the beginning, Jr NTR and Ram Charan were always talking to each other in Telugu and I was waiting like [at] a tennis match, left to right and centre, waiting for someone to translate."

On the experience of being part of the Baahubali (2015) director's project, she said, "I would have done a walk-on part on sir's film because being a part of his vision and cinema is a dream come true for me."

Bhatt added, "Sita [her character in RRR] is very very loved. Rajamouli sir told me, 'The way you speak, energy has to be up to the mark and live up to the audience's visualization.' I took that very seriously and worked for a year on the lines. The scary part was that I had to speak in Telugu. I think I managed."

RRR is set to be released in theatres on 7 January 2022. Bhatt also has Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani, scheduled for release on 10 February 2023, and Jee Le Zara with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Katrina Kaif in her line-up.