Alia's Performance Leaves Father Mahesh Bhatt Speechless

Not one to be blinded by parental affection-he is yet to give an acting break to his son Rahul-writer and former filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is clean-bowled by his youngest daughter Alia Bhatt's performance in Imtiaz Ali's Highway.

The astute filmmaker goes as far as to compare Alia in Imtiaz Ali's film to Shabana Azmi's landmark performance in his own film Arth.

Says the Bhatt, `I saw Alia in Highway.Alia overwhelms you with her heartbreaking sincerity. Her journey has begun. This is Alia's Arth.Highway is a film that will sparkle in Alia's filmography.`

Alia's mother the talented actress-filmmaker Soni Razdan is now all set to direct Alia in a film based on the notorious Nanavati murder case Nanavati murder case that shook Mumbai's beau monde way back in 1959.To be produced by Pooja Bhatt, the original plan was to cast her opposite Randeep Hooda. But with Imtiaz Ali already having cast Hooda and Alia in Highway, a hunt is on for another leading man to be paired with Alia.
Interestingly while conversing with Karan Johar on the latter's talk-show Mahesh Bhatt had described Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar as the most overrated film . Bhatt seems to have liked Ali's Highway a lot more.

Says Bhatt, `It is an outstanding film.Imtiaz Ali staggers you with his simplicity .It is bare harsh and truthful.`

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Alia would love to be directed by father

Actress Alia Bhatt says she would love to be directed by her father Mahesh Bhatt, but she doesn't think it is going to be possible.

Alia made her Bollywood debut with "Student Of The Year", which also marked the launch of actors Varun Dhawan and Sidharth Malhotra.

While Varun's second film "Main Tera Hero" is directed by his father David Dhawan, Alia doubts she will ever get a chance to work under her father's direction, no matter how much she wants it.

"I would love to be directed by my father, but I think he won't return to direction for anybody. That's not possible," Alia said here.

Mahesh Bhatt, who is credited with movies like "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin", "Aashiqui", "Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke" and "Zakhm", last directed the Jackie Shroff and Sanjay Dutt starrer "Kartoos" in 1999.
Alia is awaiting the release of her next film "Highway", helmed by Imtiaz Ali.

The 20-year-old believes she is "very competitive", but said: "I am not competitive in a negative way...competitive in a way to outshine myself."

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

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Alia Bhatt's German roots?

The actress has an emotional connect with the country where she is soon headed, for the premiere of her film 'Highway' at the Berlin festival

Imtiaz Ali's film 'Highway', that stars Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, will have its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on February 14.

And while Alia and Hooda are understandably excited about the trip, Alia has another reason to look forward to the Berlin visit.

The actress reveals that her grandparents hail from Germany and this being her first trip to Berlin, it holds a special significance. Says the actress, `I have a rather emotional and unique connection with Berlin and for me, it's just incredible that 'Highway' is premiering there. Not many know this but my grandmother is a German and was born there.''

The actress adds that her maternal grandfather used to run an underground newspaper against Hitler. `When the authorities found about it, he was imprisoned for two years and my maternal grandmother and mother (Soni Razdan) then crossed the border to Czechoslovakia before heading to England,` she recollects.
The actress plans to share her Berlin connection with the audiences there. She says, `In 1948, my Kashmiri grandfather, who was studying architecture in London, came to Berlin as a member of world famous dancer Ram Gopal's troupe.

A 19 year old, he played the violin for the latter and while in Berlin, he performed at the Schiller Theatre. Back then, Berlin had been reduced to just rubble. So yes, I share this incredible connection with Berlin,` she says.

By arrangement with Mid-Day.com

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Alia is under 'watch' of his dad Mahesh Bhatt

Alia Bhatt is constantly under the watch full eyes of her dad filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. `It is not invading my privacy but as a matter of concern and care he does like that,` says Alia. He keeps asking her about what happened at the sets today.

Alia made her first debut at the age of 19 in Karan Johar's 'Student of the Year' and a year later she is coming in Imtiaz Ali's 'Highway.'

Alia had to travel to six states in extreme winter weather for the shoot and father was too much concerned and would call a number of times to check if his daughter is fine...taking food in time etc. Alia is a proud daughter of a father who wants to remain in touch when the daughter is out on shooting spree. She really loves her dad for his concern and love.

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Alia Bhatt skeptic about pulling audience to theatres for 'Highway'

Actress Alia Bhatt, who will be seen in Imtiaz Ali's 'Highway', is not sure if she can manage a good opening for the film as she is just one-film-old in the industry.

"I being one film old, (my film) will not get good opening or a good weekend. If it's a good film and audience can relate to it, its honesty and sincerity, they will watch it. But if they cannot see that, it will flop," Alia told PTI. "Today a good film always does well regardless of the genre.

Films like 'Shahid', 'BA Pass' got lot of appreciation. Things are changing now, people are accepting good cinema. The word of mouth plays an important role today for non commercial films. It takes time for such (non-massy) films to do well... it is a gamble," she said. Alia said she is scared ahead of 'Highway' release. "I am not confident at all...my confidence is zero, I think it will be for every film. It is probably more for 'Highway' because it is a grilling kind of film. I am scared," she said.

Imtiaz had come to Alia's house with the script and the moment she read it, she started dreaming about the film. Since the story moves to several places in India including Delhi, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and others, it was quite stressful but the actress never gave up. "I did not feel like giving up, I was wondering how am I still doing it. I was proud of myself, I really pushed myself a lot.

There was physical exertion but mentally you feel you can stretch to it. I have pushed myself a lot physically and I am happy about it," she said. Praising Imtiaz for his work, Alia said, "He is a very pure soul, whether it is his intensity, dedication or passion towards his work, everything is there.

He is what he is, there is no fuss or anything fake, that is what I love about him," she said. On the unusual pairing of her and Randeep Hooda in the movie, she said, "It is intentionally done. The unusual pairing is done for a reason. Randeep is a buddy and it was fun working with him." 'Highway' hits theatres on February 21.

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Alia Bhatt’s the new tattoo girl in B-town

footsteps of Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt is latest to get inked. The Highway babe has got the word “Pataka” tattooed on the nape of her neck and she flaunted it with style at the 59th India Filmfare nomination bash.
Really Alia, Pataka of all the words? Well, the actress has refused to reveal if the design is a temporary or permanent one. On being probed again and again, she said, “It’s supposed to be a surprise. I won’t even say if it’s temporary or permanent.”
Apparently, when the shutterbugs went clickety click, the actress immediately covered it with her locks. It is heard that Alia’s new tattoo is for a song in her upcoming flick Highway, which is also titled Pataka.
Meanwhile, many B-town actors are spotted flaunting the most interesting designs in tinsel town.

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