If Highway gets a big opening, it will only be because of Imtiaz Ali - Alia Bhatt

Alia’s may only be two films old in this industry but her pretty face betrays all the nervousness that a new comer is usually prone. Confident and measured in her approach, Alia displays shades of Mahesh Bhatt’s famous eloquence while speaking. In this exclusive chat with Tellychakkar.com, Alia talks about Highway, her dreams and Bhatts, of course. Tell us about your role in Highway? My character name is Veera Tripathi. She is a Delhi based gal from a very wealthy family. In the movie, you will see Veera facing an unexpected situation which is out of her comfort zone, something that turns her life upside down. But in the process, she also ends up rediscovering herself and other people around her also influence her in discovering herself. That is what the film is all about. What were the challenges you faced while playing the role of Veera? Mentally, physically and emotionally it was very tiring. I used to experience a lot of pain in my body but it was again good because I didn’t have to pretend anything. Whatever pain I experienced emotionally or physically in the movie was naturally captured on camera. Then travelling was hectic but again it was exciting at the same time because you never knew what the next place would offer. Facing the inclement weather was the biggest challenge. In fact, we experienced all kinds of weather like rains, sandstorm, extreme heat and extreme chill. Can we say Highway is Alia’s ‘coming of age’ movie? No. I wouldn’t call Highway as my coming of age film. It’s not like you are becoming older with this movie. It’s like discovering the real human being with you. Who are you in real life? And that is what Veera experiences in this movie. It’s much more than coming of age. Did you have any apprehensions about being paired an older actor like Randeep? Not at all. You know you are playing a character in the movie. I think pairing in a film has to happen depending on the characters and not on the basis of how two actors will look good together. And this film required such a pairing as you would see between me and Randeep. But Imtiaz was earlier looking for an older actor to play Veera’s role… (Cuts in) Imtiaz found Randeep suitable to play Mahabir’s character and I for Veera’s character. And the pairing happened to be unusual. How difficult was it to get this deglamourized look right? I didn’t have to do much. I just didn’t wear make-up or brush my hair. That’s it! How different is Imtiaz Ali from Karan Johar as a director? Imtiaz sees the action live while Karan prefers to watch everything from behind the monitor. That’s the only difference that I could spot. We have been seeing more of you than Randeep in posters and trailers. Are you the hero of the movie? How much pressure do you feel? The film’s hero is Imtiaz. I am a just catalyst. But yes, there is pressure because it’s only my second film. Randeep says he detaches himself once his work in done but I can’t do that because I am still very new. So I am definitely nervous. You think you can pull in audience with your star power to the cinema halls and give Highway a big opening? I wouldn’t say Highway is an opening walli film. It’s a film that needs more word-of-mouth. And if Highway gets a big opening, it will only be because of Imtiaz Ali and not me. And I think Imtiaz Ali in himself is a huge brand. His films are not just liked but loved by audience all around. And when films are loved, they travel much beyond the box-office. You are seen as the future star of Bollywood. What do you want to be known as? I want to be known first as an actor and then as a superstar. I don’t want to be known as a star. That comes in between. What do you think one needs to be a superstar? Charisma. That is what a superstar needs. People should feel that charisma and connect with you. Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra too have releases lined up this year. Is there any sense of competition? There is no sense of competition. I think about competitive in a positive way in the sense that I want to outshine myself. About Varun and Sidharth, I am myself very excited. I got very emotional after watching Hasee Toh Phasee. Sidharth acted really well. You are one of the very few actresses who came out in support of Anushka after the lip-job controversy erupted. What prompted you to do that? Actresses are prone to criticism every time and social media today has become a tool where people feel they have the right to say whatever or however they want. People forget that there is a boundary and etiquette which I feel one should maintain while writing these things. As a normal person I wouldn’t like if someone writes such things without any provocation. Anushka, I think is a fantastic actress and her work speaks for itself and such criticism was really unwarranted and uncalled for. You were criticized for performing at Saifai Mahotsav. Mahesh Bhatt also said that he failed as a parent by allowing you to go. What do you have to say? I think whatever has been said has been said. I don’t want to comment on that topic anymore. It has been stretched too much. As an actress and a public figure, what hurts you the most? I feel bad when people talk rubbish about my family. The only thing that will go down badly with me is someone going against my family. Will you ever reveal who you are dating? I will never talk about my personal life. Even if I am dating an actor you will never come to know. Even if I am dating someone outside this industry you will still never come to know. I will never talk about it. What’s the one thing you admire about your father, Mahesh Bhatt? His will power and his power of being himself. We have become a lot closer now after I became an actress. Like Pooja Bhatt, would you also want to direct a film someday? No. I will fail as a director. Instead, I would like to open a restaurant and learn to play a new musical instrument.