Movies

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).

Early life and background :

Alaya F was born Aalia Furniturewala on 28 November 1997, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India to actress Pooja Bedi and businessman Farhan Ebrahim Furniturewala. 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. She is the granddaughter of actor Kabir Bedi and classical dancer Protima Bedi.

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. She is presently training to be a contemporary and kathak dancer.

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. The film received mixed reviews from critics. 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." While India Today mentioned "Alaya will steal your heart. She is just a natural in front of the camera." She won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut for her performance.

Alaya next played Kainaaz Irani, a women in an abusive marriage in the 2022 film Freddy opposite Kartik Aaryan. News18 noted, "Alaya's performance is worth appreciating. She has done her part with utmost ease and grace." Filmfare said Alaya has managed to be both "vulnerable" and "cunning".

She then appeared in the 2023 film Almost Pyaar with DJ Mohabbat, opposite Karan Mehta. 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."