Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt shines both on and off screen, championing animal welfare and environmental causes through her film choices and personal brand.
Beyond the beauty and her acting chops, Alia Bhatt’s heart beats for the planet. The Bollywood star now crossing into Hollywood has lent her name to an animal welfare series after successfully launching a sustainable clothing line.
Alia’s recent production, ‘Poacher’, not only captivates audiences with its gripping crime drama but also serves as a powerful initiative to shed light on the pressing issue of elephant poaching. The Amazon Prime Video series is based on the real story of India’s largest ivory poaching ring.
Alia Bhatt’s voice adds urgency to the issue of crime against elephants for pelf. She is one of the most successful and influential Indian actresses of her generation. She earned acclaim in woman-centric films like ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ and ‘Raazi’, and held her own against Ranveer Singh in the 2023 romantic comedy ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’. Making her Hollywood debut last year, she appeared alongside ‘Wonder Woman’ actress Gal Gadot and ‘50 Shades’ actor Jamie Dornan in Netflix’s ‘Heart of Stone’.
‘Poacher’ ignited a conversation on the global stage about the urgency of protecting elephants and the importance of enforcing bans on ivory sales. The series opens with a heart-wrenching scene as an elephant falls victim to a fatal shooting, its life cut short for the value of its tusks. Alia acknowledges the discomfort it elicits, stating, “It’s ‘upsetting’ to watch, but it should be upsetting; that’s when the stakes become really high.”
With Alia Bhatt as producer, ‘Poacher’ drama series has ignited a conversation on the global stage about the urgency of protecting elephants and the importance of enforcing bans on ivory sales.
The deliberate emotional impact of ‘Poacher’ aims to underscore the gravity of the issue, compelling viewers to confront the harsh reality of elephant poaching and reinforcing the urgency for collective action.
A worldwide ban on ivory sales came into effect way back in 1989. However, elephant poaching remains a major problem globally, driven by the demand for ivory in many countries where it is seen as a luxury status symbol. More than 40 elephants are killed a day for their tusks, according to a 2020 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Knowing that she is an animal lover, ‘Poacher’ director Richie Mehta asked her to get on board.
Beyond showbiz, Alia Bhatt has already expanded her influence by turning into an entrepreneur. Her conscious clothing line, own production house ‘Eternal Sunshine’, and other investment ventures reflect a savvy business acumen.
Her dedication to sustainability and conservation extends beyond ‘Poacher’. Having previously voiced her commitment to these causes, she launched her sustainable clothing brand, Ed-a-Mamma in 2020. It caters to mothers and children, offering eco-friendly apparel made from natural, biodegradable materials and produced with ethical practices. Alia states on her website: “Ed-a-Mamma combines two things I care deeply about: Our planet and our children.” Looking at the success of the venture, Isha Ambani of the Reliance group teamed up with Alia in 2023. Ed-a-Mama also plans to publish storybooks for children.
Last year, Alia earned praise for her conscious choice to re-wear her wedding saree to receive her National Award for Best Actress for ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’ at the ceremony in Delhi. This was her way of promoting the idea of mindful consumption. She is the daughter of film director Mahesh Bhatt and is married to Ranbir Kapoor.
Alia told BBC, “We have to somehow, as a society, create our own conscience, things we want to passionately speak about, passionately support.”
Her multifaceted efforts exemplify a holistic approach toward making a positive impact on society and Planet Earth.
Photos courtesy: filmibeat.com, edamamma.com
