Bollywood star Alia Bhatt shared a heartwarming insight into her newfound love for children’s literature, inspired by none other than her own daughter, Raha. Despite confessing to not being an avid reader during her own childhood, Bhatt’s journey into the enchanting world of storytelling has taken a delightful turn, all thanks to her toddler’s affection for books.
Renowned for her versatile roles in blockbuster movies such as “Highway,” “Udta Punjab,” “Raazi,” “Gangubai,” and “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,” Alia Bhatt has long been celebrated for her acting prowess and innate charm on screen. However, it’s her recent foray into the realm of children’s literature that has captured the hearts of fans and book lovers alike.
In a candid interview, Bhatt revealed, “I was never a big reader.” Despite growing up surrounded by books, it wasn’t until her daughter Raha came into her life that Bhatt truly embraced the joy of storytelling. “We read not one, not two, but three books, and many times four books,” she shared, highlighting the profound impact her daughter has had on her reading habits.
The revelation paints a poignant picture of Bhatt’s childhood, where her mother, Soni Razdan, and sister, Shaheen Bhatt, made earnest attempts to instill a love for reading within her. “I literally remember my mum and my sister shoving books in my face all day long, ‘Alia, read, read,'” she reminisced, reflecting on her earlier years spent daydreaming and seeking entertainment through stories shared by her grandfather.
However, it wasn’t until the inception of her daughter Raha that Bhatt’s perspective on reading underwent a transformative shift. “She loves her books… She hugs her books to sleep, that’s how much she loves her books,” Bhatt revealed, highlighting the profound impact of motherhood on her relationship with literature.
The culmination of this newfound passion for storytelling led Bhatt to embark on a remarkable journey as a writer. Her debut picture book, “The Adventures of Ed-a-Mamma: Ed Finds A Home,” co-created with Vivek Kamath and Shabnam Minwalla and illustrated by Tanvi Bhat, is a testament to her dedication to crafting captivating narratives for young readers.
Describing the genesis of the book, Bhatt shared, “The idea of a story came from there, that we’ll do a children’s book, a series of children’s books and make that into an animation series.” With aspirations of expanding the series into a multimedia franchise, Bhatt’s creative vision knows no bounds.
Despite her newfound passion for storytelling, Bhatt remains humble about her journey as a writer. When asked about potential collaborators for future projects, she expressed openness to working with various individuals but ruled out her husband, actor Ranbir Kapoor, as a writing partner for the time being.
Priced at ₹299 and published by Penguin Random House India, “The Adventures of Ed-a-Mamma: Ed Finds A Home” invites readers of all ages to embark on a whimsical journey filled with friendship, adventure, and the magic of storytelling. With Alia Bhatt at the helm, the world of children’s literature has gained a captivating new voice, inspiring young minds and igniting imaginations one story at a time.