- By Swati Singh
- Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:45 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Alia Bhatt has established herself as one of Bollywood’s leading stars, making a mark not just in India but globally. From being the international ambassador for Gucci to appearing at global events like the Met Gala and Paris Fashion Week, she continues to expand her international presence. Known for her love for animals, Alia frequently speaks about animal welfare and shares her affection for them on social media. She is also actively associated with initiatives like Vantara, backed by Anant Ambani.
Adding to her achievements, Alia has been featured by National Geographic among 33 changemakers for her contributions to animal and environmental welfare. She joins global names like Priyanka Chopra on the prestigious list.
However, her recent honour has been receiving immense backlash from netizens. Many have raised concerns over Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra endorsing and wearing luxury labels like Gucci and Prada. As these brands are often linked to leather products, which may involve animal skin, the actors have repeatedly faced criticism online for promoting such fashion choices despite their association with animal welfare causes.
A netizen wrote, "I wouldn't doubt that Alia is a great actress, but her lifestyle is not friendly towards the environment. Talking about her foundation that highlights and works towards issues of animal and ecological welfare—well, the latest Gucci black leather coat said it all. She has been spotted multiple times wearing and carrying products made out of animals. I mean, how on earth did National Geographic choose her?"
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"So many women in India have dedicated their lives to conserving forests, seeds and animals. And @natgeoindia chooses the woman who wears and endorses leather," wrote another user.
Speaking to National Geographic, Alia Bhatt shared that her passion for animal and environmental welfare came from questioning the impact of her voice, leading her to focus on causes she deeply cares about—especially animals.