Actress Alia Bhatt has found herself at the center of a social media storm following her recent appearance at the 79th Cannes Film Festival (May 2026). During an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter India, Bhatt questioned why the Indian film industry continues to prioritize “male-centric” storytelling and “mass” audience targeting, sparked by the global success of female-led films like Barbie and The Devil Wears Prada 2.
The “Hypocrisy” Debate
The backlash intensified as netizens labeled Bhatt’s stance as “selective feminism” or “hypocritical.” The criticism primarily revolves around three key points:
- The Animal Controversy: Many users pointed out that Alia was the “loudest cheerleader” for the 2023 blockbuster Animal, which starred her husband, Ranbir Kapoor. The film was widely criticized for its portrayal of toxic masculinity and violence against women—the exact “male-centric” narrative she seemed to critique at Cannes.
- The Dhurandhar Factor: Trolls highlighted her silence regarding the recent massive success of the Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar (and its 2026 sequel). Critics claimed her comments stemmed from “jealousy” over not being part of such high-earning commercial franchises, despite her own upcoming female-led spy film, Alpha.
- The Burden of Stardom: Netizens argued that while Alia advocates for “gender-agnostic” stories, the Indian box office still relies heavily on the “hero culture” to guarantee theatrical returns. Critics noted that male superstars bear the brunt of box office failures, while lead actresses often escape the same level of accountability.
What Alia Actually Said
Despite the trolling, Alia’s core message was a call for “gender-agnostic storytelling.” She argued that Indian filmmakers often design content based on the assumption that 75% of moviegoers are male, which inadvertently alienates female audiences.
“I’m not saying we alienate the men, but 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 center stage?” — Alia Bhatt at Cannes 2026
Support from Fans
While the trolling has been loud, a significant portion of her fanbase defended her. Supporters argue that a woman can acknowledge the flaws in her industry without being held personally responsible for every film her family members make. They emphasized that her track record—including hits like Raazi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and the recently released Jigra—proves she “walks the talk” when it comes to female-led cinema.
Upcoming Projects
Bhatt remains one of the busiest stars in the industry with several major projects on the horizon:
- Alpha: The first female-led installment in the YRF Spy Universe.
- Love & War: A Sanjay Leela Bhansali epic co-starring Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.
- Don’t Be Shy: A coming-of-age comedy produced under her banner, Eternal Sunshine Productions.