Highway’s selection at Berlin International Film Fest overwhelms director Imtiaz Ali

Jab We Met maker Imtiaz Ali is completely taken aback with the latest development regarding his upcoming release Highway as it has been selected at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. He also said that he used to feel such big platforms are reserved for filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap.

Imtiaz, who is the name behind films like Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar, said, "I felt that only efficient and creative filmmakers like Anurag Kashyap can go to film festivals and to these glamorous cities. This is the first time that a film of mine has been invited to a festival.” The director was talking at the promotion of the film in Delhi and he added further, "It is the first for me, first for Aliya and people around me are very excited. Frankly this movie was not made for hitting the festival but it is there and I hope it opens door for filmmakers as well.” Highway, to be released on February 21, stars Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt in the lead and it will have its world premiere at the film fest’s Panorama section.

Imtiaz was asked if he has made any changes in his filmmaking style over the last few years and he replied, "I feel as a director, I have the capability to making different kind of stories with different kind of cinematic expression. I would like to make a full on `nach-gana` film without having any qualms about it, without trying to be intellectual about it. And I would also make a film like `Highway`... It just seems incongruous." Imtiaz’s films are mostly focussed on his heroines and they leave a deep-seated footprint on the viewers’ minds. For example we can never forget his characters like Aditi in Socha Na Tha, Geet in Jab We Met and Meera in Love Aaj Kal. He said about the same, "I don`t think from their (women) perspective. I am interested in them and their influence upon me has been quite interesting. I think its fascination. Sometimes the traits of my women characters might overlap with each other. But intrinsically they are different from each other. There might be some frequencies that resonate together but not always.” When asked why he preferred newcomer Alia over so many experienced actresses for the role in Highway he said, "Alia was perfect for this role. She is not just young but has the heart and maturity to grasp things happening around. So getting an older girl for the part would not have been right for the film."