Renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently shared insights into his casting decisions for some of his most iconic characters. While discussing his process, he revealed that Kareena Kapoor was always his first choice for the role of Geet in Jab We Met. On the other hand, for Highway, he initially envisioned a more mature actor but ultimately chose an 18-year-old Alia Bhatt after an unexpected interaction with her.
While speaking in an interview, Imtiaz explained that his writing process is deeply visual, often forming a clear image of the character in his mind. He described how Kareena Kapoor perfectly embodied Geet’s personality and mannerisms, making her the ideal choice for the role. “When I am writing, there is a figure in my mind. When you meet people, they match the spirit of the character. I always wanted Kareena for Jab We Met. Initially, this wasn’t happening, but then she came in to do the film. She was my first choice to play Geet,” he shared.
Imtiaz also opened up about how casting decisions sometimes take unexpected turns. While writing Highway, he originally intended to cast an older actor, someone with life experience who could convincingly portray a rebellious spirit. However, everything changed when he met Alia Bhatt. “There is no arithmetic in our work; it’s an instinctive process. I thought I would cast a 30-year-old, mature actor for Highway—someone who had seen the world and would rebel. But when I met Alia, I thought, ‘This is the girl.’ Alia was just 18 at that time, but she had the emotional depth the character needed. She hadn’t done much work then, and I hadn’t even seen her film Student of the Year, but the way she spoke—it was very charming. She had a quality about her that was fantastic for this part,” he said.
Alia Bhatt’s journey to Highway was not without hesitation. Imtiaz recalled how Mahesh Bhatt played a crucial role in persuading her to accept the challenging role. “I used to go to her house, and Bhatt sahab was trying to convince her to do it. She was a bit scared because every scene had her in it. She doubted whether she would be able to do it since it wasn’t an easy film to take on,” he revealed.
Imtiaz Ali’s casting instincts have played a pivotal role in shaping some of Bollywood’s most memorable performances. His ability to recognize the essence of his characters in actors, sometimes against conventional expectations, has resulted in performances that have left an enduring impact on audiences.
