HELLO! India Exclusive: Alia Bhatt's lessons from motherhood: "Becoming a parent changes everything"

It's as if Alia Bhatt has aimed to break the mould with her every move; or well, most of them. Whether that be shunning the idea of a splashy destination wedding and instead choosing her own balcony to tie the knot, essaying some of her career's grittiest roles when she was in her early 20s or now, proving that motherhood can mean working forward rather than backward. The actress founded Ed-a-Mamma as a conscious clothing line for children in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. Fast forward to half a decade later. As a mother to 3-year-old Raha Kapoor with husband Ranbir Kapoor, the star has allowed motherhood to teach her the ropes it required to expand her brand into new territory. In an exclusive conversation with HELLO! India's Associate Editor, Dayle Pereira-Alemao, Alia shares how motherhood impacted her life, changed her point of view for the better and helped her shape her brand vision.

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HELLO! India: Since becoming a mother yourself, what were the positive changes you’ve made in your own life?

Alia Bhatt: Becoming a parent has made me a lot more patient. It’s taught me to slow down, to focus on what really matters, to observe more, listen more and be kinder to myself when things don’t go perfectly. It’s changed the way I handle everything, from my work to my personal life.

HELLO! India: Has the brand felt personal to you and in a way, more than just a project?

Alia Bhatt: Ed-a-Mamma has never been a project. From the very beginning, it was built with intention; to help children fall in love with the planet and care for it in everything they do, from what they wear to what they read and play with. Now, as a parent, that intention feels even more real. I’m that much more aware of every choice we make—ingredients, packaging, pricing, because I know exactly what matters as a parent. It’s not about building a business, it’s about creating something I would actually want to use for my own child. That’s what makes it feel real and meaningful, every single day.

HELLO! India: What were the learnings from your own mother that you’d inculcate when raising your child?

Alia Bhatt: My mom has been such a guide in my life. Seeing her work through her struggles, stay true to herself and still be loving and patient taught me a lot. Now, being a parent, I want my daughter to feel that same love and patience. 

HELLO! India: Has motherhood changed the way you view other parts of your life?

Alia Bhatt: Becoming a parent changes everything, honestly. You just start caring about things that you never really thought of before. Even work and other parts of your life feel different because you’re thinking about what really matters and how to make things easier, calmer and happier for everyone around you.

HELLO! India: How do you handle the pressures of being a modern working parent in the entertainment industry?

Alia Bhatt: It’s definitely not easy, and I don’t have it all figured out. But I’ve learned to be honest with myself about what I can and can’t do, and to ask for support when I need it. Setting boundaries has helped me protect time; for both my work and my family. And I’ve realised that balance doesn’t look perfect every day and that’s okay. Some days are chaotic, some are calm. I’ve made peace with the fact that it’s a work in progress.

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HELLO! India: What led you to extend the brand from fashion to its newly launched personal care category?

Alia Bhatt: Ed-a-Mamma is about being part of every little moment in a child’s day; from when they wake up, to playtime, to bedtime. When we started, there wasn’t a homegrown brand giving parents world-class products while caring for the environment. That’s the gap we wanted to fill. Babycare was a natural next step. It’s such an intimate part of parenting and it’s where routines begin and grow. Our journey has always been very organic and intentional—we began with kids clothes, then maternity, books, toys, accessories and now babycare but it’s all been about care and sustainability.

HELLO! India: Did being a mother impact your brand decisions?

Alia Bhatt: Motherhood changed the way I make every decision for the brand. I became more curious, more cautious, and more demanding in the best possible way. I test everything, I ask questions, and I think long-term, because when it comes to children, trust is everything. That shift has made me more grounded and thoughtful, not just as a founder, but as a parent building something with real intent.

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