Not Alia Bhatt, but Aishwarya Rai was Imtiaz Ali initial choice for Highway; says, ‘I didn’t want to cast a…’

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Not Alia Bhatt, but Aishwarya Rai was Imtiaz Ali initial choice for Highway; says, 'I didn’t want to cast a…'

Reflecting on the cinematic journey that has spanned over a decade, I find myself captivated by the serendipitous nature of casting decisions in Indian cinema. As a dedicated follower of this fascinating industry, I’ve come to appreciate how a single choice can redefine an actor’s career and resonate with audiences for years to come.

As an ardent admirer, let me share a fascinating tidbit: Highway, that iconic film by Imtiaz Ali, was indeed a game-changer for the radiant Alia Bhatt. Yet, here’s something you might not know – Veera, the character Alia brought to life so beautifully, wasn’t exactly who Imtiaz had initially envisioned. In an enlightening chat with Mid-day, he confessed that his original vision for the movie’s lead was a more mature woman. Thankfully, his perspective shifted after encountering Alia. You see, their first meeting took place during the screening of Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, a film I hadn’t even seen her debut in yet!

Imtiaz shared that he found himself deeply connected with Alia Bhatt as they conversed, expressing a sense of warmth towards her. He noted that their emotional connection was strong and he felt compelled to engage in conversation, which she carried out gracefully. Moreover, when they delved into deeper topics such as home life and society, Alia’s genuine voice emerged, according to him.

Imtiaz Ali explained that he originally aimed to portray a woman who was at least 30, someone with a touch of maturity rather than a more experienced actress for the film’s dialogue. However, after meeting Bhatt, he realized that what he truly sought was emotional depth, and it turned out that the young lady possessed this quality in abundance.

In this scenario, Imtiaz acknowledged that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan might have fit the role of a modern-day Cinderella for his shoe. He stated, “Aishwarya Rai without makeup would make an excellent selection, yet I didn’t reach out to anyone.”

53-years-old reminisced about the past when Ranbir Kapoor’s spouse, Alia, initially intended for John Abraham to portray Jordan in Rockstar. This role significantly impacted Ranbir’s career trajectory. The director stated, “Some events never occur in life, leaving us guessing about their potential outcomes. Had John acted in that film, perhaps it would have influenced him differently as an actor or led him down a distinct path; we can only speculate.”

In 2011, I found myself immersed in a remarkable journey as I became part of the ensemble cast for “Rockstar,” a film that achieved both commercial and critical acclaim. Alongside talented actors like Nargis Fakhri, Aditi Rao Hydari, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel, Kumud Mishra, Sanjana Sanghi, Aakash Dahiya, and the legendary Shammi Kapoor, I had the privilege of bringing this musical drama to life on screen.

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2024-08-17 16:22