What sets a truly remarkable actor apart isn’t just a string of successful films, but the ability to try on different personalities and to completely step out of their comfort zone and make you believe they are that character. Alia Bhatt, who burst onto the scene with a glamorous, typical Bollywood debut, has in the years since carved out a space for herself as one of the most versatile and fearless actresses of her generation. She hasn’t been afraid to let go of the star image, picking roles that are varied, emotional, or totally unexpected. From an abuse survivor finding her voice on a highway, to a powerful leader from Kamathipura leading a movement, her filmography proves her versatility. Here are 7 films that prove her acting range.

Highway (2014)

This was the movie that truly showed us what Alia could do beyond the typical bubbly heroine roles. The film is about Veera Tripathi, a rich young girl who gets kidnapped right before her wedding. What’s unexpected is that she starts finding a strange sense of freedom and safety with her kidnapper on the long road trip through the beautiful Indian landscape. It’s a story about breaking free from the suffocating pressure of a privileged but abusive life. The open road becomes her escape route from a life that felt like a cage.

Her portrayal of Veera was raw and completely natural. She didn’t act like a movie star; she simply was the character. You see her transition from a trapped, scared girl to someone who finds her own voice and finally addresses her childhood trauma. It wasn’t a loud, over-the-top performance, it was authentic and deeply felt by her. The way she showed vulnerability, confusion, and joy all at once, made you truly connect with her character’s journey. That moment where she finally confronts her family at the end stayed with the audience and is lauded to this date.

Udta Punjab (2016)

A hard-hitting and intense look at the drug crisis in Punjab, the film tells the stories of four people affected by the problem. Alia played a Bihari migrant worker, known as Bauria, who is trapped in the drug trade and faces horrific abuse. Her character portrayed the forgotten victims of the crisis. She was a girl with a simple dream of playing hockey, whose life is completely messed up by the state’s issues.

Dear Zindagi (2016)

This movie tells the story of Kaira, a young, ambitious cinematographer in Mumbai who appears confident but struggles with mental health issues, abandonment fears, and a general inability to form lasting relationships. She seeks help from a therapist, Dr. Jehangir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan), and the film beautifully shows her journey toward healing and accepting her own flaws. What made this performance stand out was its relatability. Alia brought an authenticity to Kaira. She captured the feeling of being a young adult who seems to “have it all” but is quietly falling apart inside. Her portrayal of anxiety, defensive behaviour, and the slow, reluctant opening up to her therapist felt honest and personal, showing her acting chops very well.

Raazi (2018)

Based on a true story, Raazi is a spy thriller set during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Alia plays Sehmat Khan, a young and innocent Kashmiri college student who is quickly trained and married into a Pakistani military family to serve as an Indian intelligence agent. Her mission is to gather important information for her country, often putting her at extreme personal risk while maintaining her cover. Alia convincingly played two different sides of Sehmat: the gentle, loving wife and daughter, and the clever spy who had to think on her feet. The maturity she showed in playing such an emotionally complex character was truly remarkable, making every choice Sehmat made feel heavy and real.

Gully Boy (2019)

This film focuses on the life of Murad, an aspiring street rapper from the slums of Dharavi. Alia played Safeena Firdausi, Murad’s bold, immensely protective, and slightly possessive girlfriend. Though not the central focus, Safeena was an important and unforgettable part of Murad’s world. Safeena was a fireball, and Alia played her with flair and perfect comic timing. She perfectly balanced the character’s traditional upbringing with her modern, aggressive confidence.

Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022)

This film tells the story of Gangubai, a young woman who is tricked and sold into prostitution but rises against all odds to become a powerful, respected figure of Kamathipura, Bombay’s red-light area in the 1960s. She transforms into a fiery advocate for the rights and dignity of sex workers. This was arguably her most challenging and transformative role yet, especially considering her age. Alia took on a character that was much older and required a completely different, powerful personality. She had to show strength, vulnerability, and a commanding presence all at once. Her voice, her walk, and the mannerisms was something that she carried very well. She successfully carried the entire film on her shoulders, portraying Gangubai’s journey from a terrified girl named Ganga to the fearless Gangubai especially in the long, theatrical speeches. This performance showed her ability to handle a huge, larger-than-life epic role.

Darlings (2022)