Bollywood
Alpha Teaser: Alia Bhatt's Spy Actioner Faces Expected Negativity, And Teaser Has Little To Do With It
BY SUNIT JANGIR
Mumbai, June 10 - The teaser of Alpha, the first female-led film in YRF's Spy Universe, was finally unveiled on Wednesday, giving audiences a glimpse into the action-packed world headlined by Alia Bhatt, Sharvari Wagh, and Bobby Deol. While the teaser quickly became one of the most talked-about topics across social media platforms, it also attracted a wave of criticism from certain sections of the internet. While discussions about a major film are expected, a significant portion of the negativity directed at the teaser appears forced and intentional, which has very little to do with the teaser itself. In reality, Alpha had become a target for a section of online users long before its first footage arrived. One reason is the presence of Alia Bhatt in the lead role. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Over the last decade, Alia has established herself as one of Bollywood's most successful and commercially viable stars, but that hasn't saved her from online trolling and polarised opinions. Despite being hailed as one of the finest actors of this generation, she has always been under public scrutiny and online trolling, largely for being a star kid. Any major project featuring Alia inevitably attracts a vocal section of critics who are often ready with their verdict before the promotional campaign even begins. As a result, Alpha entered the conversation carrying baggage that had little to do with the film itself. The film's association with Yash Raj Films has added another layer to the scrutiny. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The YRF Spy Universe, which includes blockbuster franchises such as Tiger, Pathaan, and War, has become one of Indian cinema's most successful shared universes. At the same time, some sections of the audience have criticised certain entries for their portrayal of India-Pakistan relations, arguing that the films occasionally take a softer approach than they would prefer. However, the teaser of Alpha does not indicate that the story revolves around Pakistan or follows any of the themes that previously attracted such criticism. Despite that, the film continues to receive similar attacks, suggesting that many reactions are being driven by assumptions rather than the actual content on display. The timing of Alpha's teaser has also coincided with the excitement surrounding Dhurandhar films. Aditya Dhar's spy actioner, inspired by real events, has generated praise for its grounded tone and hard-hitting depiction of terrorism. The strong response to Dhurandhar films has further emboldened some online commentators, who are using the film as a benchmark to criticise Alpha even before its story has been revealed. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Another factor often cited by industry observers is Yash Raj Films' long-standing reputation for relying more on its own marketing strategy than on widespread paid promotional campaigns across social media circles. Whether entirely accurate or not, the perception exists that YRF is less willing than some studios to engage in the increasingly common practice of paid online promotion. As a result, YRF's projects frequently face a harsher digital environment where praise is scrutinised, and criticism tends to gain greater visibility. This also raises a big question about the Bollywood industry's growing dependence on what many describe as a "pay-and-get-praise" ecosystem. While no major studio publicly acknowledges such practices, the perception has become widespread enough to influence how online reactions are interpreted.
