Anil Kapoor has spoken about his upcoming film ‘Alpha’ and what the title actually means. His character in the film has been kept under wraps. No details about his role have been revealed yet, reportedly to protect key plot points.
Despite that, Kapoor addressed the larger idea behind the film directly. “Being an Alpha has never been about gender. It’s about presence, conviction, courage, and the ability to drive a story forward,” he said in a statement.
He also pointed to how the industry has historically framed its stories. “For the longest time, we’ve looked at cinema through labels of male lead, female lead, hero, heroine. But audiences have evolved, and so has storytelling,” he said.
The father angle
Kapoor brought his own family into the conversation. He has two daughters in the film industry — Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor — both of whom have been vocal about pushing boundaries in their respective roles as actress and producer.
“As a father, I’ve had the privilege of watching both my daughters champion stories and films that push boundaries and challenge conventions,” he said. He added that they are rooting for Alpha because films like this have the power to open up a new chapter for action cinema.
What he wants ‘Alpha’ to change
Kapoor said he hopes the film marks a broader shift in how Indian cinema thinks about leadership on screen. “Instead of asking whether a character is a male lead or a female lead, perhaps it’s time we simply ask: who is the Alpha?” he said.
He framed it as something the industry has been slow to address. “The future of cinema isn’t about changing who gets to lead. It’s about stopping the need to qualify leadership by gender in the first place,” he added.
About Alpha
Alpha is produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films and directed by Shiv Rawail. Bobby Deol plays the antagonist. The film is part of the YRF Spy Universe, the same franchise that includes Tiger, War, and Pathaan. Alpha is scheduled to release worldwide in cinemas on July 3, 2026.
The film stars Alia Bhatt in the lead role, marking the first time a female actor has headlined the YRF Spy Universe. Anil Kapoor’s role in the film has not been disclosed publicly.