Alaya F Explained

Alaya F
Mother:Pooja Bedi
Birth Name:Aalia Furniturewala
Birth Date:1997 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Years Active:2020–present
Occupation:Actress
Relatives:Bedi family

Aalia Furniturewala (born 28 November 1997), known by her stage name Alaya F, is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi films. Born into the Bedi family, she is the daughter of actress Pooja Bedi. She made her acting debut in 2020 with the comedy film Jawaani Jaaneman, for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She has since starred in the thriller Freddy (2022) and the biopic Srikanth (2024).

Early life and background

Alaya F was born Aalia Furniturewala on 28 November 1997,[1] [2] [3] in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India to actress Pooja Bedi and businessman Farhan Ebrahim Furniturewala.[4] She is of Parsi and Gujarati Khoja Muslim descent on her father's side and Punjabi, Haryanvi, British and Bengali descent on her mother's side.[5] [6] [7] She is the granddaughter of actor Kabir Bedi and classical dancer Protima Bedi.[8] [9]

She studied at Jamnabai Narsee School in Mumbai. Before making her film debut, she earned a diploma in acting at the New York Film Academy and later changed her name to Alaya F.[1] She is presently training to be a contemporary and kathak dancer.[10] In 2011, she appeared on the reality show, Maa Exchange, with her mother.[11] [12]

Career

Alaya made her film debut with Nitin Kakkar's Jawaani Jaaneman (2020), a family comedy-drama, in which she played a 21-year-old girl claiming a 40-year-old person who has a hatred for marriages, to be her father.[13] [14] Bollywood Hungama noted, "Alaya makes an excellent debut and puts up a confident act. She looks gorgeous and is the only actor who moves viewers to an extent."[15] While Vibha Maru of India Today mentioned "Alaya will steal your heart. She is just a natural in front of the camera."[16] She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance.[17]

Alaya next played a negative role for the first time as Kainaaz Irani, a woman in an abusive marriage in the 2022 film Freddy opposite Kartik Aaryan.[18] [19] News18s Chirag Sehgal noted, "Alaya's performance is worth appreciating. She has done her part with utmost ease and grace." Devesh Sharma from Filmfare said Alaya has managed to be both "vulnerable" and "cunning".[20] [21]

She then appeared in the 2023 film Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat, opposite Karan Mehta.[22] [23] Grace Cyril of India Today stated, "Alaya has proved once again she is growing as an actor and makes a case for herself. She has portrayed both her characters with ease, perfection and brings out the innocence in her so well."[24] The film was a huge commercial failure at the box office.[25] In the same year, she played a news intern in the Zee5 film, U-Turn.[26] [27] Deepa Gahlot opined, "Alaya F actually holds the film together, pulling out the right emotions required, and not letting the slightest scepticism leak out of those large, expressive eyes."[28]

In 2024, Alaya played an IT specialist in Ali Abbas Zafar’s actioner Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, co-starring Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff. It was theatrically released on Eid to negative reviews from critics and emerged as a box-office-bomb.[29] [30] [31] She then played the girlfriend of blind entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla in his biopic Srikanth, opposite Rajkummar Rao.[32] Pratikshya Mishra of The Quint noted that she "leaves a mark" despite limited screen time.[33]

Media image

Alaya is a celebrity endorser for several brands and products including Lenskart and Nykaa.[34] She became the face of Nykaa's "A Million Nakhras" campaign in 2022.[35] Alaya was ranked 42nd in Times' 50 Most Desirable Women List of 2020.[36] In 2023, Alaya was placed in Eastern Eyes "30 under 30 Asians" list.[37]

Filmography

Films

YearTitle RoleNotesRef.
2015Snow White and the Satan Dwarvesshort; screenplay writer[38]
2020Jawaani JaanemanTia Singh[39] [40]
2022FreddyKainaaz Irani[41] [42]
2023Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat Amrita / Ayesha[43]
U-Turn Radhika Bakshi[44]
2024Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Dr. Parminder "Pam" Bawa[45]
SrikanthVeera Swathi

Music videos

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
202166th Filmfare AwardsBest Female DebutJawaani Jaaneman[48]
2023Bollywood Hungama Style IconsMost Stylish Breakthrough Talent (Female)[49]
2024Most Stylish Solid Performer of the Year[50]

Notes and References

  1. News: The breakout star of 'Jawani Jaaneman': Why Aalia became Alaya F . The Hindu . 28 February 2020 . Pal . Shubhodeep . 30 September 2020 . 23 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200323064448/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/the-breakout-star-of-jawaani-jaaneman-why-aalia-became-alaya-f/article30941948.ece . live .
  2. Web site: Alaya F gives a sneak peek into her birthday celebration, says 'Can't even turn 24 without a blooper' . Mid-day . 28 November 2021 . 28 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221028174119/https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/alaya-f-gives-a-sneak-peek-into-her-birthday-celebration-says-cant-even-turn-24-without-a-blooper-23202771 . live .
  3. Web site: Alaya F on turning 24: Next year will be career defining for me . Hindustan Times . 28 November 2021 . 28 November 2021 . 28 November 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211128053033/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/alaya-f-on-turning-24-next-year-will-be-career-defining-for-me-101638075497846-amp.html . live .
  4. Web site: 1 June 2003 . Anubha . Sawhney . Pooja Bedi: The siege within . 16 December 2020 . The Times of India . en . 16 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210516143302/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/delhi-times/pooja-bedi-the-siege-within/articleshow/479019467.cms . live .
  5. News: Sawhney . Anubha . Pooja Bedi: The siege within . . 20 September 2011 . 1 June 2003 . 6 January 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190106223709/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi-times/Pooja-Bedi-The-siege-within/articleshow/479019467.cms . live .
  6. Time Pass: The Memoirs of Protima Bedi, Introduction, pp. 1–2. Biographical info: "Early Years"
  7. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000205/windows/above.htm This Above All - She had a lust for life
  8. Web site: What Kabir Bedi Said About Granddaughter Alaya Working With 'Seasoned Actors' In Jawaani Jaaneman . NDTV.com . 31 January 2020 . 10 February 2020 . 29 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200329185107/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/what-kabir-bedi-said-about-granddaughter-alaya-working-with-seasoned-actors-in-jawaani-jaaneman-2175554 . live .
  9. Web site: Alaya F Opens Up On Her Parents, Pooja Bedi And Farhan Furniturewala's Divorce When She Was 5 . BollywoodShaadis . 29 January 2020 . 2 February 2020 . 2 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200202143704/https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/alaya-f-opens-up-on-her-parents-divorce-and-her-mothers-second-marriage-16425 . live .
  10. Web site: NYFA Acting for Film Alum Alaia F Featured in Vogue India . New York Film Academy Blog . 5 July 2019 . en-US . 10 February 2020 . 29 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200329185104/https://www.nyfa.edu/film-school-blog/alum-alaia-f-vogue-india/ . live .
  11. Web site: When Alaya F tearfully defended her 'upbringing', stood up for Pooja Bedi on reality show Maa Exchange: 'You can't say this about my mother'. 6 April 2023. 15 August 2023. 15 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230815130815/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/pooja-bedi-alaya-f-upbringing-on-reality-show-maa-exchange-8542181/. live.
  12. News: When 14-year-old Alaya F stood up for mother Pooja Bedi. The Times of India. 6 April 2023. 15 August 2023. 15 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230815130815/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/when-14-year-old-alaya-f-stood-up-for-mother-pooja-bedi/articleshow/99301064.cms?from=mdr. live.
  13. Web site: Alaya Furniturewalla's First Look from Jawaani Jaaneman Revealed . 4 January 2020 . News 18 . 4 January 2020 . 5 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200105132351/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/alaya-furniturewallas-first-look-from-jawaani-jaaneman-revealed-2445399.html . live .
  14. News: Pooja Bedi's daughter Alaya to make her debut with Jawani Janeman . India Today . en . 2 February 2020 . Ist . 17 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190617220221/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/star-kids/story/pooja-bedi-s-daughter-alaia-to-make-her-debut-with-jawani-janeman-meet-the-new-star-kid-1392653-2018-11-20 . live .
  15. News: Bollywood . Hungama . Jawaani Jaaneman Movie Review . Bollywood Hungama . en . 1 February 2020 . 31 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200131132911/https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp/movie/jawaani-jaaneman/critic-review/jawaani-jaaneman-movie-review/ . live .
  16. News: Jawaani Jaaneman Movie Review: It takes an Alaya F to help Saif Ali Khan come of age . India Today . en . 21 February 2020 . 5 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200205145026/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/reviews/story/jawaani-jaaneman-movie-review-it-takes-an-alaya-f-to-help-saif-ali-khan-come-of-age-1641983-2020-01-31 . live .
  17. Web site: Receiving an award from her "Nana" Kabir Bedi tops Alaya Furniturewalla's "Best Moments" list . 10 April 2021 . NDTV Movies . 20 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220120141420/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/filmfare-awards-2021-receiving-an-award-from-her-nana-kabir-bedi-tops-alaya-furniturewalla-s-best-moments-list-2410614/amp/1 . live .
  18. News: Alaya F joins Kartik Aaryan in Ekta Kapoor's Freddy, team welcomes her with a cake . Hindustan Times . 23 August 2021 . 22 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822194011/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/alaya-f-joins-kartik-aaryan-in-ekta-kapoor-s-freddy-team-welcomes-her-with-a-cake-101629647145709.html . live .
  19. Web site: The excitement mounts amongst the audiences to see Alaya F in Freddy . Mid Day . 31 October 2022 . 6 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106024401/https://www.mid-day.com/amp/entertainment/bollywood-news/article/the-excitement-mounts-amongst-audiences-to-see-alaya-f-in-freddy-23253201 . live .
  20. Web site: Freddy Movie Review: Kartik Aaryan impresses with Never-Seen-Before avatar, Alaya F is worth appreciating . News 18 . 2 December 2022 . 2 December 2022 . 2 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221202051347/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/freddy-review-kartik-aaryan-impresses-with-never-seen-before-avatar-alaya-f-is-worth-appreciating-6516667.html . live .
  21. Web site: Devesh . Sharma . Kartik and Alaya's Freddy Movie Review - Filmfare . Filmfare . 2 December 2022 . 2 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221202110513/https://www.filmfare.com/reviews/bollywood-movies/freddy-movie-review-55943.html . live .
  22. News: Anurag Kashyap's Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat flooded with praise! . The Times of India . 2023-02-04 . 0971-8257 . 5 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230205014813/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/anurag-kashyaps-almost-pyaar-with-dj-mohabbat-flooded-with-praise/articleshow/97577933.cms . live .
  23. Web site: Alaya F starrer 'Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat' to premiere at the IMFF 2022! . 16 November 2022 . ZEE News . 16 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221116103658/https://zeenews.india.com/people/alaya-f-starrer-almost-pyaar-with-dj-mohabbat-to-premiere-at-imff-2022-2536188.html/amp . live .
  24. Web site: Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat Review: Alaya F, Karan Mehta's film is the perfect love saga for Gen Z but loses its plot. India Today. 3 February 2023. 3 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203075731/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/reviews/story/almost-pyaar-with-dj-mohabbat-review-alaya-f-karan-mehtas-film-is-the-perfect-love-saga-for-gen-z-but-loses-its-plot-2329933-2023-02-03. live.
  25. News: Almost Pyaar With DJ Mohabbat box office collection week 1: Anurag Kashyap's film tanks with just Rs 25 lakh . The Indian Express . 2023-03-30 . 1 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230401174458/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/almost-pyaar-with-dj-mohabbat-box-office-collection-week-1-anurag-kashyap-film-rs-25-lakh-8443551/ . live .
  26. Web site: Alaya F bags the lead role in Ekta Kapoor's 'U Turn', will play a journalist in the thriller . 24 November 2021 . Hindustan Times . 5 July 2021 . 24 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924072835/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/alaya-f-bags-lead-role-in-ekta-kapoor-s-u-turn-will-play-a-journalist-in-the-thriller-101625474355928-amp.html . live .
  27. Web site: Exclusive! Alaya F on U-Turn Remake: 'Been asked not to see original one at all until film is wrapped' . 30 June 2022 . News18 . 30 June 2022 . 3 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703201913/https://www.news18.com/amp/news/movies/alaya-f-on-u-turn-remake-been-asked-not-to-see-original-one-at-all-until-film-is-wrapped-exclusive-5463049.html . live .
  28. News: Gahlot . Deepa . Deepa Gahlot . U Turn Review: Bizarre! . 29 April 2023 . . April 28, 2023 . en.
  29. News: 2024-04-09 . Bade Miyan Chote Miyan release date shifted . 2024-04-09 . . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  30. News: Bade Miyan Chote Miyan: Alaya F finally breaks silence on rumours of being part of Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff starrer: 'If I am doing that project...' . 12 October 2023 . . 24 April 2023 . en . 18 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231018072759/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bade-miyan-chote-miyan-alaya-f-finally-breaks-silence-on-rumours-of-being-part-of-akshay-kumar-tiger-shroff-starrer-if-i-am-doing-that-project . live .
  31. Web site: Kaushal . Sweta . India Box Office: ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ Crosses $11 Million . 2024-04-20 . . en.
  32. News: Alaya F announces Srikanth Bolla biopic with Rajkummar Rao; Film goes on floors today . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027200226/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/alaya-f-announces-srikanth-bolla-biopic-with-rajkummar-rao-film-goes-on-floors-today/articleshow/95645112.cms . 27 October 2023 . 23 November 2022 . The Times of India.
  33. News: 2024-05-10 . Srikanth Review: Rajkummar Rao leads simplistic, honest, and earnest biopic . 2024-05-10 . The Quint.
  34. Web site: Lenskart brings eyewear for every mood with Alaya F in its latest campaign . 20 September 2022 . The Economic Times . en . 9 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109172604/https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/advertising/lenskart-brings-eyewear-for-every-mood-with-alaya-f-in-latest-campaign/94196923 . live .
  35. Web site: Nykaa Fashion's take on a 'million nakhras' with Alaya F . 15 October 2022 . The Economic Times . en . 12 October 2022 . 9 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221109172602/https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/advertising/nykaa-fashions-take-on-a-million-nakhras-with-alaya-f/94814378 . live .
  36. News: The Times Most Desirable Women of 2020 - Times of India . 7 August 2021 . The Times of India . en . https://web.archive.org/web/20210608013431/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/the-times-most-desirable-woman-of-2020-rhea-chakraborty-living-through-a-trial-by-fire-gracefully/articleshow/83312150.cms . 8 June 2021.
  37. Web site: Top 30 under 30 Asians from the world of entertainment . Asjad . Nazir . Eastern Eye . 25 January 2023 . 27 January 2023 . 29 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230129040931/https://www.easterneye.biz/top-30-under-30-asians-from-the-world-of-entertainment/ . live .
  38. Web site: Alaya Furniturewala Career - NYFA . New York Film Academy . en . 12 January 2021 . 14 September 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190914171849/https://www.nyfa.edu/alumni/aalia-furniturewalla/ . live .
  39. Web site: Saif Ali Khan says 'we are lucky to have found' Pooja Bedi's daughter Alaya Furniturewala for Jawani Jaaneman . 13 April 2019 . Hindustan Times . en . 2 February 2020 . 2 June 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602171849/https://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/saif-ali-khan-says-we-are-lucky-to-have-found-pooja-bedi-s-daughter-alaia-furniturewala-for-jawani-jaaneman/story-OrGRTR4J2s25w8PoDYew7H.html . live .
  40. Web site: Khanna . Twinkle . Jawaani Jaaneman: Saif Ali Khan looks amused while Alaia F seems engrossed in THIS BTS pic from the sets . Pinkvilla . 8 August 2019 . 8 August 2019 . 8 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190808151448/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/news/jawaani-jaaneman-saif-ali-khan-looks-amused-while-alaia-f-seems-engrossed-bts-pic-sets-466589 . dead .
  41. Web site: 30 September 2021 . Kartik Aaryan and Alaya F wrap 'Freddy' shoot with a happy note . 1 October 2021 . The Times of India . en . 14 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221014111627/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kartik-aaryan-wraps-freddy-shoot-with-a-happy-note/articleshow/86638289.cms . live .
  42. News: Disney+ Hotstar to stream Kartik Aaryan and Alaya F's 'Freddy' from 2 December . Mint . 13 November 2022 . 12 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221112072322/https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/disney-hotstar-to-stream-kartik-aaryan-s-freddy-from-2-december/amp-11668226700346.html . live .
  43. Web site: Anurag Kashyap's Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat set for world premiere at Marrakech Film Festival! . 5 December 2022 . The Indian Express . 16 November 2022 . 5 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221205152533/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/anurag-kashyap-almost-pyaar-with-dj-mohabbat-world-premiere-at-marrakech-film-festival-8272447/lite/ . live .
  44. News: Alaya F wraps up her shoot for Ekta Kapoor's 'U-Turn' - TOI . 28 January 2022 . The Times of India . 27 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027200221/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defaultinterstitial.cms . live .
  45. News: Manushi Chhillar, Alaya F dance like perfection to It's The Time To Disco on set in UK. Hindustan Times. 24 March 2023. 24 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230324042530/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/manushi-chhillar-alaya-f-dance-to-it-s-the-time-to-disco-on-set-101679277206491.html. live.
  46. Web site: Alaya F facts. 24 March 2020. 15 August 2023. 15 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230815130821/https://www.news18.com/web-stories/celebrities/facts-you-may-have-missed-about-alaya-f/. live.
  47. Web site: Aaj Sajeya song out now; Alaya F is a modern bride who loves sneakers in this new music video . 13 September 2021 . India Today . en . 30 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210330120803/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/aaj-sajeya-song-out-alaya-f-is-a-modern-bride-who-loves-sneakers-in-new-music-video-1785150-2021-03-30 . live .
  48. Web site: Alaya F does a happy dance as she wins Filmfare Best Debut Award, Pooja Bedi says 'proud of you my baby girl' . 28 March 2021 . Hindustan Times . 28 March 2021 . 28 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210328170520/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/alaya-f-does-a-happy-dance-as-she-wins-best-debut-award-pooja-bedi-says-proud-of-you-my-baby-girl-101616939860776.html . live .
  49. Web site: Bollywood Hungama Style Icons 2023 Winners . 2024-05-03 . Bollywood Hungama.
  50. Web site: 2024-05-03 . Bollywood Hungama Style Icons 2024 Winners . 2024-05-03 . Bollywood Hungama . en.