Alia Bhatt's work ethic sets her apart, says 'Alpha' action director Craig Macrae
Synopsis
An action director who has worked with Hollywood's biggest female action stars says Alia Bhatt's work ethic puts her in rare company. With Alpha releasing on 3 July, Craig Macrae's praise — backed by specifics about physical, skills, and character preparation — signals this could be a defining performance for Bhatt and Sharvari in Indian mainstream action cinema.
Key Takeaways
Action director Craig Macrae praised Alia Bhatt 's work ethic as 'absolutely incredible,' comparing her favourably to global female action stars he has worked with.
Both Alia Bhatt and Sharvari underwent extensive physical, skills, and stunt training for Alpha .
Macrae said the actresses' preparation gave the stunt team creative freedom to 'design everything and anything' they wanted.
Alpha is directed by Shiv Rawail and produced by Yash Raj Films .
The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 3 July .
Action director Craig Macrae, whose credits include global action franchises featuring stars like Charlize Theron and Milla Jovovich, has singled out Alia Bhatt for exceptional praise ahead of the release of Yash Raj Films' spy action film Alpha, set to hit theatres worldwide on 3 July. Macrae said Bhatt's dedication during preparation placed her in rare company among the world's leading female action performers.
What Craig Macrae Said About Alia Bhatt
'What sets Alia Bhatt apart from those other female stars is that I think her work ethic is absolutely incredible,' Macrae said. 'She's really put in a lot of time and a lot of effort into preparing for Alpha.'
He added that Bhatt's preparation extended well beyond physical training. 'She obviously did a lot of work for the preparation as the character as well. She's one of those people that you can really feel is willing to put in the amount of work that is required and then some, to go above and beyond what's needed for the film,' Macrae said.
Sharvari's Contribution Equally Praised
Macrae was equally emphatic about Sharvari, crediting both actresses for the seamless execution of Alpha's action sequences. 'Alia and Sharvari were absolutely incredible for this movie. The preparation that they put into it, the work that they put into preparing for this movie physically and with their skills training and stunt training was absolutely incredible,' he said.
He noted that such commitment from lead actors is uncommon. 'It's very rare to find people who are willing to put in the amount of time and effort that Alia and Sharvari put into this movie,' Macrae added.
How Their Preparation Shaped the Film's Action Design
Macrae revealed that the duo's readiness gave the stunt and action design team far greater creative freedom. 'That really made our lives a lot easier as action designers and stunt team because we had actors that were so well equipped and really well prepared for the action that we were designing in the film,' he said.
'It gave us a lot more ability to be able to design everything and anything that we wanted to in the movie knowing that the actors were going to be able to execute the action,' he added. This suggests Alpha's action sequences may push boundaries beyond what is typically attempted in Hindi cinema.
About Alpha
Alpha is produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Shiv Rawail. The film marks a significant moment for Indian mainstream cinema, with two female leads headlining a large-scale action production — a format that has historically been dominated by male stars in Bollywood. It is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 3 July.
Point of View
One that Yash Raj Films will likely amplify as it positions Alpha for international markets. The more substantive signal is his comment about creative freedom: when a stunt team says the actors' preparation unlocked sequences they would not otherwise have attempted, that is a craft claim, not a marketing line. Whether the finished film delivers on that promise will be the real test when Alpha opens on 3 July.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Craig Macrae say about Alia Bhatt's preparation for Alpha?
Craig Macrae said Alia Bhatt's work ethic is 'absolutely incredible' and that she went above and beyond in preparing both physically and as a character. He said her dedication sets her apart from other female action stars he has worked with globally.
Who is Craig Macrae and why does his praise matter?
Craig Macrae is an action director who has worked on films featuring major global female action stars including Charlize Theron and Milla Jovovich. His endorsement carries weight because he is assessing Alia Bhatt against an international benchmark, not just within Bollywood.
What is the release date of Alpha?
Alpha is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 3 July. It is produced by Yash Raj Films and directed by Shiv Rawail.
Who are the lead actresses in Alpha?
Alia Bhatt and Sharvari are the lead actresses in Alpha. Both were praised by action director Craig Macrae for their extensive physical training, skills training, and stunt preparation for the film.
How did Alia Bhatt and Sharvari's training affect the film's action sequences?
According to Craig Macrae, their preparation gave the action design and stunt team the freedom to design sequences they would not otherwise have attempted. He said it was 'very rare' to find actors as committed as both Bhatt and Sharvari were on this project.
