In the glamorous world of Bollywood, every star has their favorite actors. But when Alia Bhatt, one of the industry's top actresses, names not a Bollywood star but a South Indian superstar as her favorite, it's truly surprising. Recently, at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, Alia openly revealed which actor she's a huge fan of and dreams of working with. Interestingly, this superstar recently starred in a blockbuster film that grossed ₹1800 crore.
Alia's Global Impression at Cannes 2025
Alia Bhatt made a spectacular debut at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, capturing global attention. Her red carpet look dominated social media. During interviews with international media, she discussed the diversity of Indian cinema and revealed her favorite actor.
Not a Fan of Bollywood Khans or Kapoors
In an interview with Brut India, when Alia was asked which actor she would like to work with in the future, she didn't name Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, or Ranbir Kapoor. Alia stated, “If I get a chance, I would love to work with Fahadh Faasil. I'm a huge fan of his.”
Praising Fahadh Faasil
Fahadh Faasil is considered one of the most brilliant actors in Malayalam cinema. He has achieved remarkable success with films like 'Aavesham', 'Malik', 'Joji', and 'Kumbalangi Nights'. Alia said, “I recently watched his film ‘Aavesham’ and I was amazed. His every expression, his timing, and his method of embodying a character are incredibly inspiring. He's one of the most versatile actors in the industry.”
2024 Blockbuster Grossing ₹1800 Crore
It's noteworthy that Fahadh Faasil's performance as the villain 'Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat' in the 2024 release 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' caused a sensation. The Allu Arjun starrer film earned ₹1800 crore at the box office, bringing him nationwide recognition. Not only the South Indian audience but also big names in Bollywood are now admirers of Fahadh's acting prowess.
Praise for Roshan Mathew
Alia also praised her 'Darlings' co-actor Roshan Mathew. She said, "The way Roshan has made a name for himself in Malayalam cinema is commendable. Working with him was a fantastic experience." This clearly shows that Alia appreciates not only popular faces but also understands the depth of acting.
Fahadh's Bollywood Debut Soon
Imtiaz Ali recently announced that Fahadh Faasil will soon enter Hindi cinema with his first Bollywood film, 'The Idiot of Istanbul'. The script is currently under development, and the film is expected to go on floors in 2026. After Alia's statement, fans are hopeful that she might appear as Fahadh's co-star in this film.
Alia's Strong Film Lineup
Regarding Alia Bhatt's work front, in 2024 she played the lead role in 'Jigara', which received mixed reviews. However, she has several big films lined up for 2025-26:
'Love and War' – In this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, Alia will share the screen with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal. The film will be shot in Mumbai and Europe.
'Alpha' – In this next film from the YRF Spy Universe, Alia will play a spy. Sharvari Wagh will also star in this film.
Hollywood Projects – After Netflix's 'Heart of Stone', Alia has received offers for two more Hollywood projects, which are currently under discussion.
Fan Reaction
Fans are delighted with Alia's statement. Users on Twitter and Instagram wrote, "The pair of Fahadh and Alia will create a sensation", "Bollywood needs such fresh and real talent", "It was fun to hear Fahadh's name instead of a Khan's."
New Chemistry Between South and Bollywood
In recent years, there has been a growing collaboration between the South and Bollywood industries. Alia entered the South Indian industry with 'RRR', and now she wants to work with a serious actor like Fahadh. This proves that Bollywood stars are now prioritizing talent over mere stardom.
