Mumbai: Ahead of the worldwide release of their upcoming film Alpha on July 3, actors Alia Bhatt and Sharvari interacted with teenage tennis sensation Srishti Kiran, who recently became the youngest World No. 1 in the Under-13 ITF Junior rankings.
The interaction, organised as part of the film’s promotional campaign, saw the two actresses engage in an inspiring conversation with the 14-year-old athlete about her journey in tennis, the sacrifices she has made and her aspirations of becoming the world’s top-ranked player.
A conversation on dreams and determination
Welcoming the young tennis star, Alia Bhatt expressed her excitement and said she and Sharvari were thrilled to speak with her. Srishti, in turn, revealed that she had long been a fan of the actress and had watched many of her films.
Curious about the secret behind her success, Alia asked Srishti what had helped her reach the No. 1 ranking at such a young age.
The teenager credited her achievements to hard work and the support of people around her, especially her father, who has always believed in her and encouraged her to dream big.
Sharvari then asked Srishti how she feels whenever she steps onto the court. The youngster replied that her racket feels like a “weapon” and a “sword”, reflecting her competitive spirit and passion for the sport.
Chasing the world No. 1 dream
During the interaction, Sharvari also spoke about Srishti’s success on the International Tennis Federation circuit and asked her about the goals she is pursuing.
Srishti said her immediate aim is to become World No. 1 in the junior category and then eventually achieve the same feat in senior tennis.
The young athlete’s confidence and determination impressed both actresses, who praised her dedication and discipline.
Sacrifices behind success
The conversation turned emotional when Alia asked Srishti whether she missed India while pursuing her tennis career abroad.
The teenager admitted that she misses her country and, more importantly, her mother. She added that making sacrifices is an essential part of pursuing one’s dreams and described staying away from her family as one of the biggest sacrifices she has had to make.
Acknowledging her emotional journey, Alia praised Srishti’s commitment and said her family must be immensely proud of her achievements and dedication.
She also asked the young champion to share a message for aspiring athletes and their parents.
Srishti’s advice was simple but powerful: “Trust the process and keep working hard.”
Movies, paddle and a future date
The discussion also touched upon films and leisure activities. Srishti revealed that she enjoys swimming and spending Sundays relaxing and watching movies.
She expressed her excitement about Alpha and said she had already watched the teaser and found it “cool”.
Towards the end of the interaction, the conversation shifted to paddle tennis. Srishti revealed that she enjoys playing the sport and invited Alia to play a game with her someday.
Alia accepted the challenge and jokingly described herself as a beginner. She suggested a future paddle-and-coffee date with Srishti and Sharvari.
The young tennis player smiled and said she would remember the day fondly.
Building excitement for Alpha
The interaction forms part of the promotional campaign for Alpha, the latest addition to the popular Alpha and the expanding YRF Spy Universe.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shiv Rawail, the action thriller stars Alia Bhatt and Sharvari in lead roles and is set for a worldwide theatrical release on July 3.
The heartwarming interaction between the film’s stars and the young tennis prodigy highlighted themes of ambition, perseverance and the importance of believing in one’s dreams.