Imtiaz Ali is busy doing rounds of theatres and gauging audience feedback on his latest film, Highway, starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda.

During the Chandigarh leg of this self-reviewing exercise, Imtiaz sounded happy by the response to his film. `The film is doing well. I am standing outside a very old theatre called Dhillon and it's enchanting to see the poster of Highway. I have come here mostly to gauge the audience's response. The Army has also invited me for a screening of the film. So, I will be attending that too. The response till now has been very emotional, personal and touching.

This is the first film that I wanted to make, and getting this kind of response is gratifying.`

`This time round I had decided that I will take all the risks and will not use any safety measures. The kind of treatment that I gave to this film is something that I had never tried before, which makes the appreciation more significant,` Imtiaz waxed eloquent.

Talking about his expectations from the film, he said he merely wanted the audience to have a satisfying look on their face for the money they spent to watch it.


Will Imtiaz like to direct a film, the script of which is written by someone else? He answers in the negative. `I don't see that happening. Nor would I like another person to direct a film if the story is mine. I had written the script for Cocktail and was supposed to direct it but at that time I was busy with other things. So, Homi (Adajania) directed it,` he said.

He added there are certain advantages if he writes a story and directs it too. `Flexibility is the first advantage. You can mould the script and make changes in the scene as you direct it.`

The director also disclosed plans about his next film; it is tentatively titled Window Seat. Featuring Deepika Padukone opposite former boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, this film is expected to go on the floors this July.