In a candid conversation on Mid-day’s “Sit With Hitlist,” acclaimed filmmaker Imtiaz Ali opened up about the unlikely journey that led actress Alia Bhatt to star in his 2014 film “Highway.” Alia, who had made her Bollywood debut with the 2012 film “Student of the Year,” took on a much more challenging role in “Highway,” playing a young woman who experiences a sense of freedom after being kidnapped—a narrative rooted in the psychological complexities of Stockholm syndrome.
Speaking on the show, Imtiaz fondly recalled his first interaction with Alia Bhatt. “I first met Alia when she came with her mother, Soni Razdan, to the screening of ‘Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana.’ It was during this screening that I saw her mother. I went to meet Soni Razdan, and there was this young girl standing beside her, wearing a skirt, looking very much like a poised young woman. Her film ‘Student of the Year’ had already been released, though I hadn’t seen it yet,” Imtiaz shared.
Initially, Imtiaz had not even considered Alia for the role in “Highway.” His vision for the character was an older woman, around 30 years old, with a level of maturity befitting the experiences portrayed in the film. However, his perception shifted dramatically after engaging in an unplanned but deeply insightful conversation with Alia. “I started talking to her and realized there was an incredible warmth and high emotional quotient in her. I was captivated by our conversation, and even without mentioning ‘Highway,’ I steered the discussion towards deeper topics like home and society. This revealed her true voice to me—a voice that doesn’t significantly change with age,” Imtiaz explained.
It was this very emotional depth that altered Imtiaz’s casting vision. “I came to understand that what I was actually looking for was this emotional resonance which Alia possessed in abundance. It suddenly made the entire package very intriguing to me, and I sincerely hoped she would agree to do the film,” he elaborated.
Despite Imtiaz’s growing conviction, getting Alia on board was not straightforward. Imtiaz admitted he initially faced some hesitation from Alia, who was uncertain about her ability to handle such a demanding role. “I handed the script to Alia, which was more like a 20-30 page novella, and asked her to call me after she read it.
. When she didn’t call me for a whole day, I began to worry. I wondered if she wasn’t interested. Eventually, I realized she was actually contemplating deeply, feeling somewhat hesitant.”
In an effort to secure her participation, Imtiaz even sought the assistance of Alia’s father, renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. “I went to her house and spoke to her father, Mahesh Bhatt. I asked him to persuade Alia to consider my film. When I finally got to talk to her, she admitted loving the script but still wanted to discuss some points. This typically means an actor is unsure about accepting the role. I could sense her hesitation, and it became clear when she said, ‘I don’t know whether I will be able to do all of what is written in this document. There is no scene in which I am not there. Everything is just me.'”
Imtiaz assured Alia that they would tackle the challenges together, reinforcing his belief in her capabilities. “I told her, ‘Don’t worry, we will sink together if we have to.’ It was crucial to me that she felt supported and understood that her hesitance was not a disadvantage but a part of the collaborative process.”
Ultimately, Alia’s decision to take up the role in “Highway” marked a significant turn in her career. It demonstrated her willingness to venture beyond conventional roles and embrace complex characters, paving the way for her to be recognized as a versatile actor in Bollywood. The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, was widely acclaimed for its narrative depth and Alia’s compelling performance, firmly establishing her as a formidable talent in the industry.
Thus, through a blend of serendipity, heartfelt conversations, and persistent persuasion, Alia Bhatt’s association with “Highway” serves as a testament to her potential and the discerning eye of Imtiaz Ali, who saw beyond the conventional to cast a young actress capable of delivering a profoundly layered performance.
