Alia Bhatt: I'm not brand conscious

New Delhi: She may have made her debut as a well-heeled student in "Student of the Year", but Alia Bhatt says she is not brand conscious in real life and does not like splurging on pricey clothes.

The 24-year-old actress, who was recently in the capital for the Amazon India Fashion Week, says she would wear something that compliments her than buy expensive clothes she might not wear again.

"I'm not brand conscious, when you talk about clothes.

But when it comes to my shoes and bags, I'm brand conscious because you need them to last long as they are used on a daily basis.

"I can wear something right from Colaba Causeway store to a Gucci label in my wardrobe. It all depends on what will look good on me. I don't like wasting money on expensive outfits which I might not wear again. I'd rather mix and match," Alia told PTI.

She says although fashion has an age element attached to, it helps one understand what makes people around them tick.

"Fashion does age overtime. Like we can differentiate between what appears like a younger look or an older one. But I think fashion defines personality. It is the best way of looking at somebody, you finding something about them," says the actress.

When asked about how it was being a showstopper for fashion designer Namrata Joshipura at the recently concluded AIFW, Alia shares she does not consider herself to be a quintessential model material but enjoys her time on the ramp.

"Walking the ramp is a difficult task. It's very different from acting. It's pretty close to theatre. I really feel inspired by the models who have to constantly keep up with the energy doing the live show. There are no retakes.

"I won't call myself a model per se but I love being on the stage. Also, I don't walk for too many people. When I walk for someone, it should be special. I should share a personal relationship with that person like being with Maybelline (the brand she endorses)" says Alia.

Talking about her act as the main model, the "Badrinath ki Dulhaniya" star says she tries to bring out the personality of the showstopper while walking for a designer.

"When you walk the ramp for a designer as a showstopper, it's not about your personality... it's about what the designer wants to convey through you," says Alia.

Alia was happy to walk for Joshipure because "she has a very edgy and cool way of looking at things which translates into clothes."

"The muse always stands out after wearing her clothes. And it's always lovely to have that feel of being special when you are walking the ramp."

When asked about her recent film opposite Varun Dhawan being criticised for being regressive, the actress says she welcomes criticism and cannot ask people to think differently.

"I'm not somebody who is averse to criticism. I welcome all kinds of critique. But honestly, the film has been loved unanimously.

"There will always be some people who will say something different from what you think about the film. But that's their take. I'm not going to tell them what they should feel. But majority has loved the film and that's what matters."

Alia has two films, "Dragon" with Ranbir Kapoor and "Gully Boy" with Ranveer Singh, lined up for release this year.

By Radhika Sharma