(MENAFN-Khaleej Times) Bucking the exotic shoot trend, Highway celebrates the majesty of the road less travelled - Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt tell us all about it IT IS PERHAPS no coincidence that an increasing number of Bollywood films are shunning foreign locations in favour of illuminating as yet rarely exposed parts of India.
Firstly, it makes financial sense. Despite tax incentives handed down from various countries’ film boards in order to attract Hindi productions, there can be no arguing that staying at home is more efficient in logistical costs. A “small town tale” such as Kai Po Che, for example, was made for $4.8 million, whereas the Dublin/ Istanbul/ Havana-based Ek Tha Tiger set producers back $12million. Granted, the latter starred Salman Khan, however, the fact that smaller, locally shot films don’t require a big name actor to draw in the punters in order to recoup the investment may also be a consideration.
A further reason why Bollywood may be deciding to stay put is that the storyline tide could be changing. Increasingly sensible and heartfelt plots leave brash locations redundant. When the focus is on the relationships rather than taking the audience abroad (there are fewer and fewer regions left that haven’t been featured, anyway) it shouldn’t make a difference whether the picture is set in Delhi or Dallas.
Star of this weekend’s big release, Randeep Hooda, believes that the indigenous locations India has to offer is its trump card in themselves and Highway directed by Imtiaz Ali captures them beautifully.
“We have shot on the border close to Pakistan and China,” the 37-year old said during a visit to the Khaleej Times office with co-star Alia Bhatt last week. “Every scene where we are outdoors is like a postcard. They are places that haven’t seen outsiders for a long time and show just what we have on our doorstep. It’s breathtaking.”
Playing a disenfranchised Delhi citizen, Randeep’s character is allegedly coerced into kidnapping the affluent Veera (Alia), which begins the arduous road trip along the highways of North India with the intention of extorting money for her safe return.
“Geographically we are 20km apart, but socio-economically we are from different worlds,” Randeep said. “I have always felt for the underdog and have-nots. I feel there is inequality and injustice. I have always felt that angst and brought it to my character.”
Focussing more on the coming-of-age and character progression than the criminal aspect of the action, Randeep said there is more to the abduction than meets the eye with the film’s narrative developed through the two differing character’s learning more about each other.
“Life is a journey, not a destination,” the actor stated.
For the young Alia the voyage was as much a real life experience as it was a role. “The person you are meant to be may be different from what you are told at school or home.
“I have grown up on this film. He [Randeep] has lived an interesting life. He worked in Australia for seven years. I have never had that. I went straight from home to school and then home to work. I feel like I have stories to talk about now.
“On this movie I went from [luxury hotel] The Banyan Tree to a place with no water or electricity. I have always had a protected life. Not anymore.”
Asked whether she found the transition difficult, the Bhatt scion replied that a back-to-basics existence had forever been an ambition. “I want to run away all the time. I want to go live in the mountains. I am a loner. Sometimes I hate people. If I am pushed to a point I might.”
Randeep’s take on the rural setting was a little more relaxed. Maybe his experience meant roughing it wasn’t such an eye-opener, yet he did reveal the countryside couldn’t fail to move him.
“I had heard Kashmir was a paradise on earth. It truly is. Rolling hills, rivers, people living in another century – the cast and crew also came together as people. The cold does that to you.
“I got a very good feeling about this shoot. You usually do if you are part of a good film. Midway through you feel something is right and that will prove true. The audience will go away far richer about their own lives. I won’t call it spiritual. That’s up for them to decide.”Randeep on the couple’s chemistry
“I don’t think it is necessary to get along with your co-stars. I detest this word ‘chemistry.’ Where chemistry is lacking is when the actors are not playing their parts good enough. Sparks between two actors does not necessarily translate to their characters. If there is a lack on screen it is just incompetent acting. There have been some actresses I haven’t been able to look in the eye whilst filming because I’d just laugh.”
Do you think audience’s taste for stories closer to home is developing?
Randeep: “The audience laps up whatever you give them. Thankfully I am working at a time where we are not producing only s***.” WORLD PREMIERE
Highway premiered in the panorama section of the 64th Berlinale last Thursday. Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali says it was “overwhelming” to announce the first show of his movie at the fest.
“This is the first time that a movie of mine is at a film festival. I couldn’t have asked for a better one. It was overwhelming to stand on stage at the Zoo Palast and announce the first show of Highway,” Ali said.Alia on working with director Imtiaz Ali
“Imtiaz was inspired by the locations. He is a foodie and we thought he wanted to go to some areas just for the food. But you could see by the way he enjoyed every day that the locations meant a lot to him. All his movies have travel in them.”The observation gam
“I used to drive cabs in Australia whilst I studied,” said Randeep. “It was my biggest acting school. After people get into a cab they forget you’re there. You can observe people in a way that you couldn’t any other way.”
What he observed about Alia:
“She is so full of life and level headed at the same time. She is positive and not too affected by her lineage. It is important for someone with famous parents to find their own identity.”
What Alia observed about Randeep:
“Initially I didn’t think he was interesting at all. He looked through me. I got to like him after a few weeks when I observed he was comfortable being by himself. When we started talking we found we had a lot in common. He gives off this tough guy act, but he is not.”
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