You guys, I feel so much better living in a world where Imtiaz Ali is working on a new film – especially if the film in question is one that he has been planning for upwards of 15 years. Highway, starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, is the first film that Imtiaz ever intended to make, and now, so many years later, it’s finally coming to fruition. The producers have locked in December 13th as the release date, which is just a year after they decided to go ahead and make Highway.
“There’s a story in you for years, a world you can’t wait to get into – that’s Highway.” – Imtiaz Ali.
It’ll be interesting to see how Alia carries off this role, since Imtiaz was initially looking for someone a little older to play his female character in this film, called Veera. He met Alia, though, and decided she’d be a good fit for his character – and after looking at the picture above, you can tell that she has been made to look a little older for this role.
The film tells the story of two characters from very diverse backgrounds who take a road trip across six states in a truck. Sounds a bit Jab We Met-ish, right? In a recent interview, Imtiaz said that while he was writing the script, he had to go back and change many scenes because he thought they were becoming a little too similar to JWM. I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly not complaining if Imtiaz’s next film has shades of similarity to my favourite of his movies.
The music should be something to look forward to as well – Imtiaz is joining hands with A R Rahman once again after Rockstar, and considering that’s still one of my favourite soundtracks, I definitely can’t wait to see what they bring out for their second outing together. Funnily enough, it seems that Imtiaz didn’t expect Rahman to compose for this film, thinking that he would be too busy. But Rahman himself volunteered after hearing the concept of Highway, saying that he was on board if Imtiaz wanted him. Well, uh, I’m guessing if Rahman himself offers to do the music, you just don’t refuse! Plus, the lyrics are being penned by Irshad Kamil, who has written for Imtiaz’s Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and Rockstar… and knowing that it’s Imtiaz, I bet we can expect a Mohit Chauhan track in there as well. Definitely a soundtrack to watch out for in the coming months, especially since the two are trying to match the film musically to the various vistas of Highway – Delhi to Rajasthan, Haryana to Himachal, Punjab to Kashmir.