EXCLUSIVE | 'Raaz' director Vikram Bhatt defends Alia Bhatt for playing an 18-year old in 'Alpha': 'Aamir Khan got it for playing a college student in Rang De Basanti'

Alia Bhatt is gearing up for the release of her new film Alpha which arrives in cinemas on July 3. In this spy-thriller, the actress, who's now 34, plays an 18-year old agent. Social media users were not pleased when they saw the teaser but filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, fresh off the success of Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past, has come out in support.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the filmmaker said, "People have issues with even guys doing it. Aamir Khan got it a lot for playing a college student in Rang De Basanti. If I remember right. I remember reading a lot of comments and arguments saying ‘Arre yeh kahan college ka lagta hai?’"

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But I think it is very shallow of us to view entertainment with the offscreen age of actors. Because they are playing a role. Now suppose if Alia was plying twice her age with makeup, you would be okay. Like Preity Zinta in Veer Zaara, nobody commented. Because you don't mind that. But if she says, I'm 16, you mind that. Why? She’s not claiming to be 18. It's not like she's hidden a child and said that, oh, I'm actually 16 or I'm actually 18, but, you know, this is the rule."

Yash Raj Films has dropped the trailer of Alpha, headlined by Alia Bhatt and also starring Sharvari, that sets up a relishing, fun origin story of two deadly girls in a popcorn action entertainer!

The trailer also unveils more of the character of Bobby Deol, a ruthless mentor to Alia Bhatt. Alia plays an assassin raised and built to kill who goes toe to toe with her mentor turned foe. It also reveals Anil Kapoor, who is teased to be connected to the Alpha program!