By Neha Mehrotra
It was during my last year of college when I first saw the movie ‘Highway’, and it struck a chord with me. It was liberating and empowering all at the same time. Watching Veera, played by Alia Bhatt, articulate her longing to escape to the mountains mirrored my own dreams.
Be it the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas, the snow-kissed peaks of Kashmir, or the moments of self-discovery in enigmatic valleys—Imtiaz Ali’s narratives have consistently echoed his love for the mountains. In his movies, mountains represent freedom, conquering fears inside his characters, and self-growth. Call me a dreamer, but Ali’s movies have always been a tool for self-exploration and escapism for me. In the movie ‘Tamasha’, Tara reminds Ved of his true being and says, “Tum toh pahadon se baatein karte ho” (You speak to the mountains).
In this article, we explore the scenic valleys and mountains employed by the director in his movies to facilitate his leading actors’ journeys of self-discovery.
Chandanwari, Jammu & Kashmir: ‘Laila Majnu’
In ‘Laila Majnu’, you can experience the beauty of Kashmir through the eyes of Qais, the male protagonist. With a profound love for mountains, he takes Laila to these peaks, where he shares his fascination and says “Vo pahad mujhe bahut fascinate karta hai, bas aata hun yahan sochte rehta hun, kya hoga us paar”. He yearns for the other side of the mountain, as if a paradise awaits. And when the time comes, he flees to the other side and there, he talks to the mountains and imagines a life with Laila in the hills.
Where to watch: Zee5
Rohtang Pass and Shimla: ‘Jab We Met’
In ‘Jab We Met’, Geet (Kareena Kapoor Khan) longs to live in the mountains. And when the chance presents itself, she joyfully twirls her way through the Rohtang Pass and Naggar Palace in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, during the song ‘Yeh Ishq Hai’. Geet undergoes her most crucial character change in Shimla. The shift, from her bubbly character to a more introverted demeanour, after Anushman rejects her love, is artfully captured against Shimla’s scenic backdrop, creating a visually stunning portrayal of her profound character evolution.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Chitkul, Sangla Valley, Himachal Pradesh: ‘Love Aaj Kal 2’
The song ‘Mehrama’ was shot in the Sangla Valley, with shots of the dam at Karchcham, a beautiful view of the Baspa River, and the pretty backyard at Chitkul.The inner turmoil in Veer (Kartik Aaryan) and Zoe (Sara Ali Khan) was reflected throughout the song as well as the valley. Lying at the end of Sangla Valley is a quaint village called Chitkul where the climax of the movie was shot, the place where Zoe and Veera break free from their turmoil and confess their love for each other. It’s paradise on earth with clear blue streams, pebbles, lush greenery and snow-capped mountains—the perfect place for a happy ending.
Where to watch: Netflix
Betaab Valley, Kupwara: ‘Rockstar’
‘Rockstar’ introduced us to many beautiful locations—from snow-capped mountains to lush green meadows. Heer, played by Nargis Fakhri, was from Kashmir, so a large part of the movie was set in the beautiful region. The songs ‘Katiya Karun’ and ‘Phir Se Ud Chala’ were shot in the panoramic views of the Betaab Valley, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pahalgam and Srinagar.
Where to watch: Jio Cinema
Spiti and Aru Valley, Himachal Pradesh: ‘Highway’
In the movie, Veera (Alia Bhatt) feels a pull toward the mountains and says, “Aisa lag raha hai voh mujhe bula rahe hain”. Although the entire movie is practically a road trip, the mountains play a pivotal role in Veera’s character evolution. The song ‘Maahi Ve’ takes us to many beautiful destinations in Lahaul and Spiti districts to portray Veera and Mahabir’s (Randeep Hooda) blossoming romance, intertwined with her journey of self-discovery. Imtiaz Ali uses the stunning backdrop of Aru Valley to unveil Mahabir’s past, and it becomes a place where the two characters make a home for themselves, free from the weight of the world.
Where to watch: Disney+ Hotstar
