Veteran actress Soni Razdan has strongly responded to ongoing online trolling directed at her daughter Alia Bhatt, particularly following the actress’s appearance at Cannes 2026. As Alia continues to enjoy a successful career trajectory and prepares for the release of her upcoming film Alpha, she has also been subjected to criticism on social media, prompting her mother to address the negativity.
Speaking in a recent interview, Soni Razdan defended Alia Bhatt against accusations tied to nepotism and her film industry background. She stated that Alia cannot be blamed for being born into a family already associated with cinema and emphasized that such circumstances are beyond anyone’s control.
“Alia can’t help whose child she is; it’s not her fault,” Razdan said, adding that discussions around privilege often ignore the effort required to sustain a successful career in the industry.
Soni Razdan further reflected on her own journey in the film industry, noting that despite being an outsider to the system in her early days, she did not achieve the same level of success as her daughter. She stressed that success in cinema is ultimately determined by talent, perseverance, and consistency rather than background alone.
The actress also pointed out that Alia Bhatt’s career was not built solely on her family name. While acknowledging that her debut opportunity may have come through industry connections, Razdan highlighted that every subsequent milestone was earned through hard work and performance. She added that had Alia failed to impress during her initial audition, she would not have secured the role that launched her career.
According to Razdan, being the daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan should not be treated as a disadvantage or a point of criticism. Instead, she emphasized that success in the entertainment industry requires merit and sustained effort regardless of one’s background.
Addressing the backlash surrounding Alia Bhatt’s Cannes 2026 appearance, Soni Razdan dismissed online trolling as disconnected from reality. She noted that social media outrage often does not reflect genuine public sentiment and should not be given undue importance.
“Just because there is some noise on a social media platform, that doesn’t reflect the actual reality on the ground,” she said, adding that participants at Cannes are invited based on their achievements and recognition in the global entertainment space.
She further emphasized that attending such prestigious international events is a reflection of professional accomplishment rather than privilege alone, adding that individuals should focus on their work instead of engaging with negativity online.
Meanwhile, Alia Bhatt continues to remain in the spotlight ahead of her upcoming release Alpha, co-starring Sharvari, which is scheduled to hit theatres on July 3. The film is expected to be one of the most anticipated action releases of the year.