Breathtaking Pictures from Alia Bhatt's Highway

Imtiaz Ali's locations in his new film Highway are a treat for the eyes, and the senses. Never has India been captured so beautifully.

Picturesque locations are the soul of Imtiaz Ali's Highway.

In his latest film, a 20-something daughter of an affluent businessman is kidnapped by a group of ruffians. Instead of loathing their very existence, she befriends her tormentors and insists on accompanying them on the road less traveled.

Whether her risk is worth it or not, Imtiaz Ali's selection of locations -- Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir -- are a treat for the eyes, and the senses.

Kaza, Himachal Pradesh

Alia Bhatt, who plays the abductee, stands tall against majestic snow-clad mountains in one of the coldest places in India -- Kaza.

Kaza was among Alia's favourite destinations when she was shooting for the film.

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Before setting out for the untouched glory of Northern India, Alia enjoys a moment with Highway's stylist Aki Narula in Gurgaon.

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Alia seems to have found inner peace in the tranquil settings of Faridkot named after the Sufi saint, Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masood Ganjshakar.

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Alia looks elated filming at Firozpur.

The legendary freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru used Firozpur as their base, to plan their strategy against the British Raj.

Interestingly, some things about Alia don't change.

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Thirty-three kilometres from Jalandhar, there is a small town named Noormahal.

Highway takes a breather from its extensive tour to enjoy its quaint charm and Alia's ethnic mix 'n' match fashionista.

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Like his character in the film -- strong, silent, brooding -- Randeep Hooda takes in a striking view of Ajmer.

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One of Highway's most significant scenes was picturised in the stunning Sambhar salt pans.

The enormous desolation of this location mirrors the deep-rooted emptiness of Alia's character, Veera Tripathi.

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The journey is as crucial as the destination in Highway.

Director Imtiaz Ali stops en route in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, to film the gorgeous mountains.

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The long, tiring, drive was well worth it when one encounters paradise on earth.

One glimpse of this view of a Kinnauri village takes our breath away.

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From the deserts of Rajasthan to glorious Kashmir, the shift in landscapes impacts the emotional climate of Imtiaz Ali's unusual romance.

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Highway turned out to be a life changing experience for the 20-year-old actress.

Whether discovering bewitching places she had never seen before like this one in Kashmir's Aru Valley or extending her boundaries as an artist, Alia Bhatt is unlikely to ever forget Highway .