Imtiaz was on the list of directors I wanted to work with – Alia Bhatt

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

Canada: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…
USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart… Close to a year and a half after Student Of The Year, Alia Bhatt would now be seen in Highway. From a candy floss campus world created by Karan Johar, she finds herself in a much more realistic set up, courtesy Imtiaz Ali.

After Student of the Year, most of the films that came your way were campus entertainers…
You would be surprised to hear this but actually, that was not the case. Not many people know that, barring a film or two, whatever films were offered to me, I have said 'yes'. Now as you can see, hardly any of these are quintessential campus rom-coms, starting with Highway.

With Highway though, it must have been Imtiaz Ali factor coming into play, right?
Definitely. Imtiaz was obviously on the list of directors that I really wanted to work with. I love his world and the kind of films that he makes. So yes, I was keen to work with him though obviously, if I hadn't liked the script, I would have told him. Still, I wouldn't have liked to lose out on the opportunity of working with him. Luckily, it all played out well for me eventually.

Was there ever an apprehension that Highway could well turn out to be an overtly serious affair?
I had read the script and hence was aware of what the movie was and how its genre played. So no, none of it bothered or worried me when I stepped into the shoot. It was a difficult role but then I fully trusted Imtiaz. I went with my instinct. I know people keep asking me whether this or that film would make 100 crore or not. But honestly, when it came to Highway, none of that mattered to me. It is the experience that counted.

You also had a different experience of seeing a massive high with Student Of The Year and then a period of no release for so long. Wasn't it too long a break?
But who said that I didn't feel high during my no-release period either? (smiles). I don't think it is such a big break either. It was probably required too. Now, this year I have three releases (Highway, 2 States, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya). So, it evens out, isn't it?

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more