Before Gangubai Kathiawadi, Highway paved the way for Alia Bhatt. On Monday Masala

Alia Bhatt, who will soon be seen in Gangubai Kathiawadi, cemented her place in Bollywood with her second film, Highway. The Imtiaz Ali-directed film turns 8 today, February 21.

Alia Bhatt will be seen portraying a powerful role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming film Gangubai Kathiawadi. The actress plays a social activist in the film, which also stars Ajay Devgn, Vijay Raaz, Jim Sarbh and Shantanu Maheshwari. Alia Bhatt might have made her acting debut with Karan Johar's Student Of The Year in 2012, but she established herself as an actor with her second film, Highway (2014). Directed by Imtiaz Ali, the film paved the way for Alia in Bollywood.

Alia Bhatt's Veera was a wild child in Highway - with unkempt hair and dull clothes - held captive by Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda). Yet the varied shades of her performance lept out of the screen. Highway was indeed a befitting response to those who criticised her for SOTY. Through Veera, we saw Alia Bhatt blossom into an actress par excellence.

Imtiaz Ali was returning to direction with Highway after a gap of two years. His earlier film was the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar, which received mixed reviews. Highway was the remake of an episode of Zee TV's Rishtey, also directed by Imtiaz Ali, and starred Aditya Srivastava and Kartika Rane. The filmmaker later said that the story stayed with him for 15 years and "there was something in it that didn't die".

Imtiaz earlier wanted to cast an older actress opposite Randeep Hooda. Later, the role went to Alia Bhatt. In an old interview, the filmmaker spoke about why he chose Alia. "I needed somebody who is a city slick girl (Alia Bhatt), who has never been out. But the guy (Randeep Hooda) had to be somebody who has had a life and understanding of life," he said.

Alia Bhatt proved to be the perfect choice to play Veera Tripathi in Highway. Veera is a simple girl who derives pleasure out of little things in life. Imtiaz Ali might have taken a risk by casting a one-film old actress as his leading lady, but Alia proved that she was totally worth the faith he put in her. She beautifully depicted her character, which was an amalgamation of innocence and feistiness.

Watch Highway trailer here:

She was equally good in scenes where she had to be the 'Patakha Guddi' and where she had to enact Veera's emotional turmoil. Alia's screen presence was incredible in Highway. The film also introduced us, as it were, to the concept of Stockholm Syndrome through Veera's character. Alia brought that alive on screen through her earnest acting.