Alia Bhatt reveals how ‘Don’t Be Shy’ redefines the female gaze: 'We just are naturally driven towards fabulous women'

Alia Bhatt says her upcoming home production ‘Don’t Be Shy’ looks at the world through a female gaze while still giving space to compelling men. Speaking at a global streaming showcase, the actor and producer shared how the film blends a familiar coming-of-age mood with a fresh narrative voice. The project will stream on Amazon Prime Video later this year.

Alia Bhatt on female gaze in ‘Don’t Be Shy’

As reported by Hindustan Times, Bhatt joined the Prime Video Presents: International Originals event virtually. She appeared alongside Nikhil Madhok, director and head of Originals at Prime Video India. The evening highlighted major non-English titles from different countries.




Discussing her film, Bhatt said the writing naturally centered on women. “We just are naturally driven towards fabulous women and fabulous characters that are women, that happen to be women. But there are also a lot of cool male characters in the film that I'm also very excited about. An interesting new gaze for the two boys that are in the film.”

What Alia Bhatt revealed about the story?

‘Don’t Be Shy’ follows 20-year-old Shyamili Shy Das, whose carefully planned life spins out after an unexpected incident. Bhatt described the tone as warm yet updated.

“It's got the classic feeling of a holiday film, the classic feeling of a summer film, like it's got a lot of those classic tones, but it's in a new voice. It's got a new energy to it, and that's Sreeti's, the director's energy and her new sort of take on it, and I feel that there's something there which the audience is in for a surprise for.”

The film is produced by Eternal Sunshine Productions, the banner Bhatt runs with her sister, Shaheen Bhatt. Prime Video India announced the project earlier with a playful video featuring the sisters. The film promises romance, heartbreak, songs, girls, boys, and even a turtle, calling it a story you grow up with. A release date and cast details are still under wraps.

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