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Alia Bhatt opens up about her British citizenship

The actress is going all out to promote her much-awaited film Heart Of Stone, which marks her debut in Hollywood.

Alia Bhatt opens up about her British citizenship

Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, who is presently basking in the huge success of her latest release Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, is also going all out to promote her much-awaited film Heart Of Stone, which marks her debut in Hollywood.

Helmed by Tom Harper, the spy action thriller film also stars Gal Gadot and Jamie Dornan in lead roles. All three stars are leaving no stone unturned in promoting the film ahead of its grand premiere on Netflix on August 11.


During one of her promotional interviews, Bhatt answered some of the most Googled questions about her, and one of them was, “Is Alia Bhatt British?”

As Gadot asked Bhatt if she is a British citizen, the Student of the Year star agreed and said, “My mom was born in Birmingham, but I was born and brought up in India.”

Gadot asked her if her mother spoke British English with her, her entire life”, Bhatt replied, “My grandmother lived in England for her whole life so my grandmother has the English accent.”

Talking about her experience of working with Gadot, Bhatt had earlier said, “For me, this was a super huge opportunity, my first Hollywood film. And having seen Gal’s exceptional work, I knew this project was something special. The idea of being part of a spy thriller with a female lead, a woman like Gal, was incredibly exciting. And I was even more thrilled when I got to know that Jamie would be joining the team too.”

She further stated, “Gal is such a loving person, and her energy is so warm. When I am around her, I feel like I have known her for a very long time. It is like we instantly clicked, and that comfort translated onto the screen.”

Heart Of Stone lands on Netflix on August 11, 2023.

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How Southeast Asian storytelling became one of Netflix’s fastest-growing global pillars

Highlights:

  • Netflix says global viewing of Southeast Asian titles rose almost 50% between 2023 and 2024.
  • Premium VOD revenue in the region reached £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore) last year, with 53.6 million subscriptions.
  • Netflix holds more than half of the region’s total viewing and remains its biggest investor in originals.
  • New rivals, including Max, Viu and Vidio, are forcing sharper competition.
  • Local jobs, training and tourism are increasing as productions expand across the region.

Last year, something shifted in what the world watched. Global viewership of Southeast Asian content on Netflix grew by nearly 50%, and this isn't just a corporate milestone; it’s a signal. Stories from Jakarta, Bangkok, and Manila are no longer regional curiosities. They are now part of the global mainstream.

The numbers tell a clear story. Over 100 Southeast Asian titles have now entered Netflix’s Global Top 10 lists. More than 40 of those broke through in 2024 alone. This surge is part of a bigger boom in the region’s own backyard. The total premium video-on-demand market in Southeast Asia saw viewership hit 440 billion minutes in 2024, with revenues up 14% to £1.44 billion (₹15,300 crore). Netflix commands over half of that viewership and 42% of the revenue. They have a clear lead, but the entire market is rising.

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