: Despite Sidharth's comments, Alia Bhatt later rated him as the best kisser among her co-stars in a separate interview.
While the scene was a significant highlight of the film, both actors have described the filming process as more technical than romantic: Technical Challenges: Sidharth Malhotra noted in interviews with The Times of India
: Karan Johar utilized slick, slow-motion framing, sunset lighting, and a sweeping background score to make the sequence look like a stylized Hollywood teen drama. : Despite Sidharth's comments, Alia Bhatt later rated
: As of early 2026, Alia Bhatt has been in the headlines for personal updates, such as her diagnosis of ADHD and Anxiety , which she discussed in June 2025 to help others cope with similar conditions .
In November 2024, Karan Johar celebrated the 12th anniversary of Student of the Year by sharing a deleted scene on Instagram. The clip showed Alia Bhatt’s character approaching Varun Dhawan’s character, requesting him to express grief over the supposed passing of Sidharth Malhotra’s grandmother, only for Varun to comically remind her that the grandmother is still alive. The lighthearted moment was a precursor to the popular song “Ishq Wala Love”. In November 2024, Karan Johar celebrated the 12th
Maintained a high-glamour, youth-centric aesthetic without veering into excessive melodrama.
: This marked Alia Bhatt’s first on-screen lip lock. originally auditioning in her school uniform.
If you are analyzing early-2010s Bollywood trends, let me know if you would like to explore for Student of the Year , or a breakdown of Alia Bhatt's award-winning filmography . Share public link
How does a 2-second kiss affect lifestyle? In India, cinema dictates culture. After SOTY, the following lifestyle shifts became visible:
Historically, Bollywood debuts for star kids often played it safe, sticking to "girl-next-door" tropes that shied away from physical intimacy. Alia Bhatt, however, flipped the script. By committing to the scene without hesitation, she signaled early on that she was a professional willing to go where the script demanded. This was a refreshing change for the audience, who were used to more reserved introductions.
: Alia beat out approximately 400 other girls for the role of Shanaya, originally auditioning in her school uniform.