: This marked Alia Bhatt’s first on-screen lip lock.
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At just 19 years old, Alia Bhatt—daughter of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and actress Soni Razdan—stepped into the limelight with her first lead role. Student of the Year followed the story of Shanaya (Alia Bhatt), a glamorous teenage girl caught between two charismatic boys (played by Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra). The film was a teen sports romantic comedy produced by Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, and it quickly became a commercial success.
: At the time of release, the scene made significant headlines as it featured two newcomers in a bold debut moment. : This marked Alia Bhatt’s first on-screen lip lock
"Does this mean I get your notes for the finals?" Shanaya joked, trying to regain her usual composure.
: Today, Alia Bhatt is recognized as one of Indian cinema's most formidable talents, celebrated for powerhouse performances in movies like Raazi , Gangubai Kathiawadi , and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani . Looking back at her 2012 debut offers audiences a stark contrast between her initial "glamour doll" positioning and her current status as a critically acclaimed global icon.
In the film, Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra share a while seated together, which served as a pivotal romantic beat in the love triangle involving Varun Dhawan's character, Rohan. This "lip lock" was a significant moment for the then-debutantes, as it highlighted the burgeoning intimacy between their characters. Student of the Year followed the story of
At the time of filming, Alia Bhatt was a newcomer navigating the heavy expectations of a major Bollywood debut. Embracing a highly scrutinized romantic sequence so early in her career showcased a fearless commitment to script requirements.
As newcomers to the film industry in 2012, the lead actors frequently discussed their experiences filming intimate scenes during promotional interviews.
In the landscape of 2012 Bollywood, on-screen intimacy was often treated with either extreme caution or gratuitous provocation. For a debutante, the script of SOTY was bold. Alia Bhatt’s character was involved in a storyline that required a degree of mature intimacy, including a kiss, which was relatively rare for a newcomer launched under a major "family-friendly" banner like Dharma Productions at the time. "Does this mean I get your notes for the finals
: The on-screen chemistry between Alia Bhatt and Sidharth Malhotra was fueled further by real-world media reports. The two actors dated in real life following their debut, making their early romantic scenes in SOTY a frequent point of interest for fans tracking their career timelines.
: Producer Karan Johar later commented on the "new ethos" of young actors performing such scenes, noting they help attract audiences.
Today, Alia Bhatt is one of the most bankable stars in Indian cinema, with a filmography that includes hits like Highway, Gully Boy, and Raazi. She has won numerous awards for her performances, including the National Film Award for Best Actress.
The lip-lock scene between Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan in sparked widespread debate and discussion. At the time, such an intimate moment between two lead actors was considered bold and progressive. The scene humanized the characters and added a layer of realism to the narrative.