Imtiaz Ali's much-awaited next film ‘Highway’ has a destination date - December 13th, 2013. The film starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda which traverses through the roads of six Indian states and has music by maestro A.R. Rahman is well into its second schedule and is readying itself to reach a theatre near you on the second Friday of the last month of 2013.

Highway is a film very close to Imtiaz's heart, one he wanted to make before any other film. And after all these years the storyteller is finally on the road making his pet project. "There’s a story in you for years, a world you can’t wait to get into - that’s Highway," says Imtiaz.

After Kareena Kapoor as Geet in ‘Jab We Met’ and Deepika Padukone as Meera in ‘Love Aaj Kal’, this time it is Alia who is set to enthrall audiences. Although Imtiaz had an older character in mind, the moment he met Alia he knew she is his Veera (name of Alia's character in the film) and she has not only lived up to but gone beyond his expectations.

Also, everyone's waiting to hear what Rahman does with Imtiaz after creating music history with ‘Rockstar’. Ironically Imtiaz didn't even want to bother Rahman for this one thinking he must be very busy. But once Rahman heard the concept of ‘Highway’ he himself volunteered enthusiastically: "I'm on, if you want me!" From then on the two of them are trying to match the film musically to the varied vistas of the film - from Delhi to Rajasthan, Haryana to Himachal, Punjab to Kashmir.

Sajid Nadiadwala, who's presenting and releasing ‘Highway’ worldwide, is very excited to announce the release date for the film. "Come to think of it, it was only last December that we agreed to go ahead with the film. And to start the shoot in March and then stick to the schedules despite being such a tough shoot is quite incredible....come December 13th, 2013, you have to take the Highway!"