Imtiaz Ali’s ‘Highway,’ released in 2014, has long been regarded as a pivotal moment in Alia Bhatt’s acting career, establishing her as one of Bollywood’s most promising talents. However, in a recent interview, Imtiaz Ali revealed an intriguing detail about the casting of the film – Alia Bhatt wasn’t his first choice for the role of Veera Tripathi.
Initially, Imtiaz Ali envisioned Veera as a character that would be best portrayed by a more mature actress.His original concept leaned toward casting someone like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who he believed could bring the depth and authenticity needed for the role, even without the glitz and glamour often associated with Bollywood stars. “Aishwarya Rai without any makeup would be a great choice,” Ali mentioned during his conversation with Mid-Day, explaining his thought process behind the character.
However, fate had other plans. Imtiaz Ali recounted an unexpected encounter with Alia Bhatt at the screening of ‘Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana,’ which would ultimately change his entire approach to casting the role of Veera. During this meeting, Ali was struck by Alia’s emotional intelligence and the genuine warmth she exuded. “Her emotional quotient was very high, and I was drawn to talk to her,” he shared. Their conversation ventured into deeper themes, such as home and society, and it was during this exchange that the filmmaker realized Alia possessed the very qualities he was seeking for Veera.Despite his earlier considerations, once Imtiaz Ali interacted with Alia, he couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role. The conversation with her made him see that the emotional depth and vulnerability needed for the character could indeed be captured by this young actress. Consequently, Imtiaz decided to take a leap of faith and cast Alia.
‘Highway’ tells the story of Veera Tripathi, a young woman from a wealthy family who is kidnapped during a highway robbery. What begins as a nightmarish ordeal evolves into a journey of self-discovery, as Veera finds unexpected freedom and peace in her captivity. The film is a poignant exploration of liberation, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships, set against the vast and contrasting landscapes of India.
Imtiaz Ali’s direction, coupled with Alia Bhatt’s powerful performance, turned ‘Highway’ into a critically acclaimed film that resonated with audiences. The movie’s success further solidified Imtiaz Ali’s reputation as a filmmaker who isn’t afraid to take risks with casting, and Alia Bhatt’s role as Veera remains one of her most celebrated performances to date.
Initially, Imtiaz Ali envisioned Veera as a character that would be best portrayed by a more mature actress.His original concept leaned toward casting someone like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who he believed could bring the depth and authenticity needed for the role, even without the glitz and glamour often associated with Bollywood stars. “Aishwarya Rai without any makeup would be a great choice,” Ali mentioned during his conversation with Mid-Day, explaining his thought process behind the character.
However, fate had other plans. Imtiaz Ali recounted an unexpected encounter with Alia Bhatt at the screening of ‘Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana,’ which would ultimately change his entire approach to casting the role of Veera. During this meeting, Ali was struck by Alia’s emotional intelligence and the genuine warmth she exuded. “Her emotional quotient was very high, and I was drawn to talk to her,” he shared. Their conversation ventured into deeper themes, such as home and society, and it was during this exchange that the filmmaker realized Alia possessed the very qualities he was seeking for Veera.Despite his earlier considerations, once Imtiaz Ali interacted with Alia, he couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role. The conversation with her made him see that the emotional depth and vulnerability needed for the character could indeed be captured by this young actress. Consequently, Imtiaz decided to take a leap of faith and cast Alia.
‘Highway’ tells the story of Veera Tripathi, a young woman from a wealthy family who is kidnapped during a highway robbery. What begins as a nightmarish ordeal evolves into a journey of self-discovery, as Veera finds unexpected freedom and peace in her captivity. The film is a poignant exploration of liberation, trauma, and the complexities of human relationships, set against the vast and contrasting landscapes of India.
Imtiaz Ali’s direction, coupled with Alia Bhatt’s powerful performance, turned ‘Highway’ into a critically acclaimed film that resonated with audiences. The movie’s success further solidified Imtiaz Ali’s reputation as a filmmaker who isn’t afraid to take risks with casting, and Alia Bhatt’s role as Veera remains one of her most celebrated performances to date.
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