Meet actress, whose great grandfather had connection with Adolf Hitler, her mother was forced to leave the country, she is now..., her name is...

From making her debut in Karan Johar's Student of the Year and being called a product of nepotism to now becoming one of the most loved 'products of nepotism' after delivering some of the most iconic performances in Raazi, Gully Boy, and Gangubai Kathiawadi — Alia Bhatt is more than just a film industry legacy kid. Alia Bhatt's maternal bloodline holds a riveting and rather grim chapter from pre-WWII Germany
Behind the stardom, glam, and blockbuster films lies a chilling slice of history that even Alia Bhatt's most devoted fans might not know. Yes, you read it right! Her maternal bloodline holds a riveting and rather grim chapter from pre-WWII Germany.
According to a report, in an interview, Alia shared that her maternal great-grandfather, Karl Hoelzer, wasn't just a German citizen during the Adolf Hitler era—he was a rebel in hiding. As fascism swept across Europe, Hoelzer bravely ran an underground newspaper opposing Hitler's regime. It was an act that nearly cost him his life. He was arrested and imprisoned in a concentration camp, but escaped death thanks to a sharp lawyer. Forced to flee Germany, he relocated to England, where Alia's grandmother was eventually born.
Well, after a while, Alia's mother, actress Soni Razdan, added deeper context to the story. Though the family wasn't Jewish, Karl's anti-Nazi stance made him a target. Years later, that legacy of resilience would echo in Alia's cinematic portrayals of strong, defiant women.
According to the reports, Alia Bhatt's grandmother, Gertrude Hoelzer, and her mother, Soni Razdan, were forced to leave Germany in 1937 due to political persecution. Gertrude's father was an anti-Nazi activist and ran an underground newspaper against Hitler, which led the family to flee to Czechoslovakia and eventually find refuge in England as political refugees. Alia Bhatt's net worth
Today, Alia Bhatt sits on an empire. With an estimated net worth of Rs 520 crore, she's not just ruling the box office but also fashion racks. Alia Bhatt's entrepreneurial journey
Acting wasn't enough for her, and that's why she launched her very own brand, Ed-a-Mamma, which is aimed at kids and maternity wear. It soon caught the eye of Reliance Retail, which bought a 51% stake in 2023. It's a business win that hints at her ties to the Ambani circle—not surprising given her husband, Ranbir Kapoor, is close friends with Akash Ambani.
Alia's personal life has been equally headline-worthy. She married Ranbir in 2022, and the two welcomed daughter Raha later that year. But the actress is not slowing down. She's set to appear in Alpha, a new entry in the YRF Spy Universe, releasing Christmas 2025. The film also stars Sharvari Wagh, Bobby Deol, and Anil Kapoor.
From a great-grandfather who defied a dictator to a granddaughter rewriting what stardom looks like—Alia Bhatt's journey is more layered than any film role she's ever played.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Indian Express

an hour ago

• New Indian Express

‘Would be amazing to explore projects here' actor Alia Bhatt gets candid about the city

From the poised and sophisticated teen girl in the film Student of the Year to milestones like portraying the unapologetically strong Gangubai Kathiawadi – which earned her a National Award, and stepping into motherhood, actor Alia Bhatt's professional and personal arc is something all of us have witnessed over the years. One such milestone in the journey was her initiative to start a sustainable clothing brand for children and mothers – Ed-a-Mamma. Recently, the brand, in partnership with Reliance Retail, opened their first store in Bengaluru aiming to bring sustainability and conscious living to the city. 'Bengaluru has a vibrant and conscious community, and I hope it becomes more than just another brand here; I hope it becomes a part of the city's larger conversation on mindful, sustainable living,' she shares. She started it before becoming a mother, unmindful of the significant changes she would have to incorporate post the life-altering event. 'Becoming a mother has only deepened my connection to the brand in such a personal and powerful way. I'm always thinking about comfort, texture, safety, softness, and even how easy something is to put on and remove,' she says. Besides her entrepreneurial journey, she also gets candid about her potential entry into the Kannada film industry. 'I have always admired the storytelling and creativity coming out of Karnataka,' she says, adding, 'Whether as an actor or even on the production side, it would be amazing to explore and collaborate on projects.' Sharing a special bond with the city, she adds, 'Even though my visits to Bengaluru have been short, they have been full of love and warmth. The food, the energy, the city have always been welcoming.' Adorning many hats as an actor, mother, singer, and entrepreneur she embraces the challenges and laughs them off. 'The biggest challenge for me is time – there's never enough of it! But I'm learning to prioritise and be fully present in whatever I'm doing at the moment,' she laughs. As the store comes into its own, Bhatt is hopeful of it bringing a change. 'In Bengaluru, I believe our planet-friendly approach will really resonate, encouraging families to make better and kinder choices. It's about planting seeds of change, one product at a time, and the 'garden city' feels like the perfect place to do that,' she says.

News18

3 hours ago

• News18

Alpha: Alia Bhatt, Sharvari Prep For High-Energy Dance Number In Spy Thriller

Last Updated: Alpha is directed by Shiv Rawail, who previously helmed the globally successful streaming series The Railway Men, also backed by YRF. Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are currently deep into rehearsals for Alpha, the first female-led film in YRF's blockbuster Spy Universe. The movie promises to blend slick action with glamour—and now, a visually grand dance number is also in the works. On Friday, the duo was spotted exiting a dance studio in Mumbai. Dressed in comfy athleisure wear—Alia in black pants and a side-knotted crop top, and Sharvari sporting a similar look—the actresses appeared in high spirits. Alia waved to paparazzi as she quickly stepped into her car, while Sharvari stopped to smile and pose. A source close to the film shared exclusive details with ETimes, revealing that the song will be a showstopper. 'Both Alia and Sharvari were excited about this song. It's big and breathtaking. The ideas were always to have a visually stunning, high-energy song featuring the two female leads in an action-packed environment, and it's shaping up exactly like that," the insider said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Instant Bollywood (@instantbollywood) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Alpha is directed by Shiv Rawail, who previously helmed the globally successful streaming series The Railway Men, also backed by YRF. The film stars Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol in pivotal roles. Interestingly, War 2 star Hrithik Roshan is expected to make a cameo appearance in the film, further linking it to the larger spyverse. Backed by Aditya Chopra, the YRF Spy Universe includes blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, War, Pathaan, and Tiger 3. With War 2 scheduled for an August 14 release and starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr NTR, and Kiara Advani, Alpha will follow on December 25. The events of both films are said to be interconnected. Fans can expect slick action sequences, female-led power moves, and now, an electrifying dance track to boot. First Published: June 21, 2025, 03:25 IST

Pink Villa

6 hours ago

• Pink Villa

WATCH: Alia Bhatt glows in black outfit as she steps out after dance rehearsal for Shiv Rawail's Alpha

Alia Bhatt is all set to star in the upcoming spy venture Alpha. Bankrolled by YRF, the film is a part of the spy universe and is expected to perform exceptionally well upon its release. Lately, the actress was snapped in the city after she returned from the dance rehearsal session for the movie. Dressed in a sleeveless black crop top, featuring knotted hem, and high-waisted black pants, Alia exuded a sporty vibe. She tied her hair in a high ponytail for a fuss-free appearance. The Love and War actress was all smiles as the shutterbugs clicked her. After a while, she got into her car and left. For the unversed, Alpha also stars Sharvari in a pivotal role. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the movie is scheduled to hit the big screens on December 25, 2025. It promises an action-packed experience for the cinegoers.