Imtiaz Ali on Alia Bhatt’s Highway ( Photo Credit – Facebook; YouTube )
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Highway is considered Alia Bhatt’s one of the best performances. It has been ten years since the movie was released, and it was Alia’s second movie after Student of the Year. In the Imtiaz Ali directorial, Bhatt impressed everyone by delivering a solid performance in a heartwrenching story about child sexual abuse.
Imtiaz Ali’s Highway also explores themes of freedom, self-discovery and courage to stand up for oneself. The film also stars Randeep Hooda in a prominent role. No one can imagine anyone else playing Veera except Alia Bhatt, who aptly depicted her character’s trauma, vulnerability and strength. However, Imtiaz has now revealed that he wanted an older actress to play the character. The filmmaker said that his unit wasn’t convinced Bhatt could pull off such a complex role.
On Mukesh Chhabra’s show, Imtiaz Ali said, “During Highway, I always thought I would cast an older actress. Since it was a mature subject I wanted someone who was above 30. Alia was young, but I could see potential in her. I had not watched Student Of The Year by then. I met Alia when she came to watch the movie Love Shuv Tey Chiken Khurana with her mother. There is grace and beauty to her as an actor and a lot of emotional potential. So I asked her if she would read the script I was sending.”
Further, the director revealed that after reading the script, Alia Bhatt didn’t call him for two days. So he called and asked if she read the script. The Tamasha director shared that Alia was a bit overwhelmed and felt it was a lot to do as she was there in every scene. Imtiaz Ali stated, “Alia was a very unexpected actor for Highway, and the unit was not convinced about how she would do this role. So, to convince them I made her tell the story in her way. By the end, everyone was like nobody else could do this role but Alia.”
Earlier, there were reports that Imtiaz Ali wanted to make the film with Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta in 2005. But that didn’t happen, and the new cast was Ayesha Takia and Bobby Deol. The director even announced the film in 2006, but things never moved further. But we are glad Alia Bhatt bagged the role, as she is brilliant!
Meanwhile, Imtiaz Ali’s next is a musical biographical drama, Amar Singh Chamkila. The movie stars Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra, and it will release on Netflix on April 12, 2024.
What do you think of Alia Bhatt’s performance in Highway? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
