Alia Bhatt has a new passion, and it's taking the fitness world by storm: pickleball. The Bollywood star has been spotted showcasing her skills on the court, and it's clear she's caught the pickleball bug.
Pickleball is a sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. It's played on a badminton-sized court with a net, paddles, and a perforated plastic ball. The rules are simple, making it accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels.
Alia Bhatt isn't the only celebrity to embrace pickleball. Her husband, Ranbir Kapoor, also enjoys the sport. Other Indian celebrities like Varun Dhawan, Rohit Dhawan, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu have also been seen playing pickleball. Karan Johar is the brand ambassador for the Indian Open 2025, Asia's largest pickleball event. Samantha Ruth Prabhu owns the Chennai franchise in the World Pickleball League (WPBL).
Alia recently shared a video of herself playing paddleball, captioning it, "Some arguments were had over my padel obsession…". In the video, she is seen wearing Bullpadel sports shoes, a blue sports bra or crop top, and a matching blue pleated athletic skirt. The background music in the video is Ranveer Singh's song "Apna Time Aayega".
Pickleball offers numerous health benefits. It is a low-impact sport that’s easier on the joints, making it a good choice for older adults or anyone seeking a gentler workout. The bursts of movement increase heart rate, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. The sport involves running, lunging, and shuffling around the court. Pickleball works out the lower body, including the back, quads, calves, and glutes. The twisting and quick pivots strengthen the abdominal and lower back muscles, while swinging the paddle tones the upper body. Because it is often played in doubles, pickleball provides opportunities to meet new people, strengthen friendships, and enjoy teamwork.
Alia's enthusiasm for pickleball extends beyond just playing the game. She is also the owner of the Chennai franchise in the World Pickleball League. Alia said that it was love at first sight with pickleball. She stated that she is thrilled to be a part of India's evolving sports landscape, especially as there is an encouraging rise in women's involvement in sports and that her goal is to inspire more women and young girls to embrace sports.
Whether she's balancing motherhood and work, Alia Bhatt proves that she knows how to win hearts both on and off the screen.
