MUMBAI: All of 21, she’s young and versatile unlike others of her generation. Even in terms of dealing with criticism 'Highway' star Alia Bhatt has a mature approach. She says being “thick-skinned” comes in handy.

“Criticism and appreciation should be welcome at all times. But it helps to be thick-skinned in the industry,” Alia told IANS over phone from Mumbai when asked how she reacts and handles situations when the audience gives extreme reactions to her work.

The actress is very active on social networking platform Twitter, where she interacts with her 1.8 million followers.

Nonchalant about the feedback she receives, Alia took to online instant messaging and video chat platform Google Hangout on the evening of July 25 to interact with her fans from Mumbai and Delhi to talk about beauty trends for the season as part of her association with make-up brand Maybelline New York.

She found the idea to be “fun.”

“We go to different cities all the time to promote our films, but having a virtual interaction via Hangout is different. Technology has made it fun and easy to interact with the audience for feedback on any product — whether it’s a film or a product — as they’re the ones we work for,” Alia said.

She is not on Facebook, but when asked if she has a team to manage her Twitter account, she was quick to clarify: “I don’t have a team. I manage the account on my own.”

Alia admits “digital is a massive space” to explore, but she says “it’s important to not get lost in it.”

“I feel there has to be a line that you draw between your life and the virtual world,” said the actress, who is the youngest daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.