Alpha: Anil Kapoor Thrilled To Be A Part Of Alia Starrer; Says 'Being Alpha Has Never Been About Gender'

Anil Kapoor believes Alpha can push Hindi action cinema into a new space, not because it has spectacle alone, but because it places Alia Bhatt and Sharvari at the centre of a genre long shaped around male stars. The actor, who is part of the film, says the idea of an “alpha” character should no longer be tied to gender.

Produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is being positioned as a big-screen action entertainer with two women leading the charge. The film also features Bobby Deol as the antagonist, while details about Anil Kapoor’s role have been kept under wraps to protect key plot points.

Anil Kapoor on why Alpha matters for Hindi action films

Anil Kapoor, who has played several commanding characters across his career, said the excitement around Alpha comes from the way it questions familiar industry labels. For decades, mainstream Hindi cinema has often described films through the lens of “hero” and “heroine”, particularly in action, where male-led stories have dominated theatrical space.

“For the longest time, we've looked at cinema through labels - male lead, female lead, hero, heroine. But audiences have evolved, and so has storytelling. What excites me about Alpha is that it challenges those old definitions,” Anil said.

His comments come at a time when Hindi cinema is trying to bring audiences back to theatres with event films, franchises and star-led spectacles. Action remains one of the safest big-screen genres, but women-led action films are still relatively rare in mainstream Bollywood, especially at this scale.

Alpha is significant because it is not being presented as a smaller experiment or a niche drama. It is being mounted as a popcorn action film, a space usually built around male superstardom, high-stakes conflict, style, combat and large-format appeal. With Alia Bhatt and Sharvari fronting the film, the project is aiming to widen the idea of who can carry such a story.

'Being an Alpha has never been about gender’

Anil said the film’s title carries a broader meaning than the usual idea of dominance. For him, the word “alpha” is about narrative force and screen presence rather than whether the character is male or female.

“Being an Alpha has never been about gender. It's about presence, conviction, courage, and the ability to drive a story forward. That's what audiences connect with today - main character energy, not categories,” he said.

The actor’s point reflects a visible shift in audience conversations around mainstream films. Viewers are increasingly discussing characters in terms of agency, impact and emotional pull, rather than simply whether they fit old star templates. A film like Alpha could benefit from that changing mood if it delivers on scale, writing and action design.

For Alia Bhatt, the film adds another dimension to a career that has moved between commercial entertainers, intense dramas and global projects. Sharvari, meanwhile, gets a major action platform at a crucial stage in her film journey. Their pairing gives Alpha both star power and freshness, a combination that matters for a genre where familiarity can quickly turn predictable.

Anil Kapoor links Alpha to a wider change on screen

Anil also spoke about the film from a personal perspective, referring to his daughters Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, who have been associated with stories that place women at the centre. He said watching them back boundary-pushing work has shaped how he views films like Alpha.

“As a father, I've had the privilege of watching both my daughters champion stories and films that push boundaries and challenge conventions. They've always believed in expanding what's possible for women on screen and I know they're rooting for Alpha because films like this have the power to open up an entirely new chapter for action cinema,” he said.

That “new chapter” will depend on how the film balances its action with character-building. Women-led films often face unfair pressure to prove both artistic and commercial value, while male-led action vehicles are more easily accepted as genre entertainment. Alpha’s real test will be whether it is judged simply as an action film, rather than only as a statement.

Anil said he hopes the film changes the way leadership is discussed in cinema. “I hope Alpha marks a larger shift in how we think about leadership and heroism on screen. Instead of asking whether a character is a male lead or a female lead, perhaps it's time we simply ask: who is the Alpha? For Indian cinema, that's a powerful and necessary reimagining, and I'm proud to be part of a film that embraces it.”

The presence of Bobby Deol as the antagonist adds another layer of curiosity, especially after his recent run of intense negative roles. With Anil Kapoor’s character still hidden, the makers appear to be preserving the film’s surprises while highlighting its central pitch: a female-led action entertainer designed for theatres.

Anil summed up his view by saying, “The future of cinema isn't about changing who gets to lead. It's about stopping the need to qualify leadership by gender in the first place.” Alpha is scheduled to release worldwide in cinemas on July 3, and its reception will show how ready audiences are for that shift in mainstream action storytelling.