Alia Bhatt, ow one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses, almost didn’t do Highway (2014), the film that transformed her career and established her as a powerhouse performer. Director Imtiaz Ali recently revealed that Alia was initially hesitant to take on the role of Veera Tripathi, a young woman who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after being kidnapped. It was her father, veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who ultimately convinced her to accept the challenge.
In an interview, Imtiaz Ali shared insights into Alia’s apprehensions about Highway. “Alia was scared to do the film. It was a completely different space from what she had done in Student of the Year (2012). The role required her to be vulnerable, raw, and exposed to harsh conditions, something she wasn’t sure she could handle,” he said.
Coming from a privileged background, Alia had never experienced the kind of rugged and emotionally intense situations that her character Veera goes through in the film. “She was worried if she could pull it off, but Mahesh Bhatt was the one who encouraged her to take the leap. He told her, ‘You must do this film. You will grow as an actor and as a person,’” Imtiaz added.
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Released in 2014, Highway was a stark departure from Alia’s debut film, which was a glamorous romantic drama. The road film, which also starred Randeep Hooda, presented Alia in a completely deglamorized avatar, requiring her to shoot in extreme weather conditions across India. It was a physically and emotionally draining role, but Alia’s performance won her widespread acclaim.
Looking back, Alia has often credited Highway as a turning point in her career. “It changed me as a person. I understood the kind of films I wanted to do. I had no idea what was in store for me when I signed it, but I am grateful I listened to my father and took the risk,” she once said in an interview.
Imtiaz Ali also reflected on Alia’s evolution as an actor. “She went from being unsure to completely immersing herself in the character. By the end of the film, she was not the same person who had walked onto the set on the first day. It was a journey for her, just like it was for Veera.”
Highway remains one of Alia’s most cherished films, proving that sometimes, taking a leap of faith can lead to extraordinary transformations.