Alia Bhatt may be one-film-old. Nevertheless, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt's daughter has made her mark in Bollywood with her smart acting and intelligent choice of films. Sreya Basu chats up with the young actress who is betting big on Highway and 2 States

Student Of The Year (SOTY) was released in October 2012. When will we see you on the big screen again?
You have to wait for some more time. My next release will be Highway. I have completed it. The film will hit the theatres on December 13.

Tell us something about the film.
Well, I can't reveal much about the film right now, as it's too early. But it is a very special film for me because I got the opportunity to work with Imtiaz Ali (filmmaker). The journey of shooting the film is the only `journey` in my life that I have undertaken so far.

I have always remained restricted between home and school; and then between home and (film) sets. That's how my life had been since the last 20 years.

But for Highway we travelled from Delhi to Punjab to Rajasthan, Himachal and Kashmir. It was like a road trip. I got to feel what a journey is all about.


What about 2 States?
I am still shooting for 2 States. It will release April 18 next year. As you know it is based on Chetan Bhagat's novel ... it is a beautiful story. I am having a lot of fun shooting for it. Playing a Tambram (Tamil Brahmin) is quite a challenge and I am loving it.

Do you have a list in your head on the kind of films you want to do?
I don't as such have a list of what I want to do. But I have an idea of the different kinds of films that I want to do. I want to do a lot of films and they should be different from one another ... films that will challenge me and at the same time cater to the needs of the audience.


You seem to be more comfortable with western outfit. Have you ever tried a saree off screen?
I am cool about wearing sarees. I think sarees look very good not just on Indian women but all women in general. But then, I am young now, so I should be wearing more fun stuff. Sarees will definitely come to my wardrobe in future.

What is the one habit you can't let go?
I keep posing in front of the mirror all the time.


Are you a make-up person?
Not at all. But I like wearing kajal as it enhances my eyes. I love prominent eyes. Otherwise, the more normal you are the better. I don't think guys like girls who are too made up. They like someone with whom they can have a conversation.

You are being linked up with your SOTY co-star Varun Dhawan. How will you react to it?
Varun is a very dear friend of mine. He is my first co-star and is always supportive of me.


When are you going to work in your father's (Mahesh Bhatt's) film?
My father, unfortunately, won't be directing the film for me. But hopefully there will be a project for me in Vishesh Films (film production company owned by Mahesh Bhatt and his brother Mukesh Bhatt) very soon. If that happens, I would love to work on that project.