Ever since embracing motherhood four years ago, Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt says she has become far more conscious — and anxious — about safety, especially on India’s roads. Opening up in a recent interview, the actor reflected on how becoming a mother has fundamentally reshaped her outlook on everyday risks and responsibilities.
Speaking to CNBC, Alia said her priorities shifted the moment she became a parent. “I have to be safe and secure for my child, if not for myself. From there, my whole brain changed,” she said, explaining why she now avoids sitting in the front seat of cars and insists on seatbelts even in the back.
Road safety through a mother’s lens
The actor pointed out that many people neglect basic safety measures, particularly rear-seat seatbelts, because there is no alert system. Observing daily traffic, she said she often sees scooters carrying four people. “I understand they have no choice; they have to travel. But what’s important is to develop empathy for the person driving next to you and others on the road to be safe and sound,” she noted.
Her comments resonated widely, highlighting how motherhood often heightens awareness of risks that once felt routine.
Experts urge balance, not fear
Reflecting on Alia’s concerns, Muskan Marwah, a psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, said parental anxiety is natural but needs balance. “It’s easy for parents to act upon their fears and thrust them upon their kids. Finding the line between being careful and being overbearing is one of the biggest challenges of parenting,” she explained.
She added that children thrive on structure and clear rules, but parents must explain why those rules exist and reinforce positive behaviour, rather than enforce control through fear.
Modelling safety, not anxiety
Clinical psychologists note that children often learn more from what parents practise than what they preach. By modelling safe habits — such as wearing seatbelts and respecting other road users — parents can instil responsibility without passing on excessive anxiety.
Alia’s reflections underline a larger truth many parents relate to: motherhood and fatherhood don’t just change routines, they change perspective — making safety, empathy and responsibility a shared priority, both at home and on the road.