Feb 21, 2014 12:23 PM
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Despite being taught from school that riches don’t always bring happiness, the obsession of people to acquire more and more wealth never ceases. Also the belief that more wealth equals a better, comfortable life continues. However, that’s not always the case.
Moreover, it’s not uncommon to come across some of the most shocking incidents that happen amongst the members of the moneyed class. Highway tells a story of one such person belonging to an affluent family who finds freedom when, believe it or not, she gets kidnapped! The storyline is quite unconventional but Imtiaz treats it in a mature and efficient manner. The result: Highway is one of the best films that one has seen in recent times!
The story of the movie:
Veera (Alia Bhatt) belongs to an influential and powerful family in Delhi and is all set to get married. One night, while on a drive with her fiancé Vinay, she bumps into Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda) and his gang who kidnap her. Veera is obviously devastated and breaks down.
Moreover, Mahabir is stern who ensures Veera fearfully doesn’t cross her limits or do something stupid. But very soon, Veera starts loving being in the company of Mahabir and travelling with him in his truck. She herself gets amazed that she’s enjoying every bit of being kidnapped, not realizing that her happiness can come to an end anytime.
Highway beings with a bang but to be honest, doesn’t entirely grip the viewers. This goes on for around 45 minutes. But things brighten up in the pre-intermission point when Veera makes a confession in a dhaba at Punjab. The second half is fortunately even better and as Veera and Mahabir discover and understand each other, one gets even more involved with their journey.
The Kashmir episode is easily the best part of the lot and the transformation in Mahabir’s approach towards Veera is extremely moving. The climax is a shocker and one is left jaw-dropped. The film has a fitting finale but more than that, one is amazed how beautifully Imtiaz Ali also incorporated a disturbing social issue in the narrative.
Highway also succeeds because of the performances. As always, Imtiaz extracts award-winning performances from his actors. Alia Bhatt is just terrific and surprises with a completely effortless and natural performance. She got limited scope in Student Of The Year and it’s in Highway where she proves her worth.
Without a shred of doubt, it’s the climax where she shines…and how! Alia has always been looked down upon as ‘a beautiful actress who can’t act’ by a section of audiences and her intelligence was questioned by many after the episode of Koffee With Karan Season 4. But I am confident that after Highway, each and every moviegoer would see Alia in a new light and with respect! Hats off!
Randeep Hooda has given plenty of bravura performances and yet, it would be no wrong to state he gives his best performance till date in Highway! The actor gets limited dialogues but his expressions and eyes do a lot of talking very convincingly. One’s heart goes to him in the scene when he breaks down and one feels great when he flashes his sexy smile all of a sudden in a crucial sequence!
Other actors who leave a mark are the actors essaying Veera’s parents, fiancé, the uncle who get chocolates, the 2 companions of Mahabir and the guy with whom Mahabir has a confrontation in the beginning.
A R Rahman’s music is not his best work but he ensures the music flows well with the film. Patakha Guddi and Mahie Ve are the best of the lot and other songs that leave a mark are Kahaan Hoon Main and Sooha Saha. Implosive Silence, the instrumental, is well utilized in the opening credits. Rahman’s background score is phenomenal – very minimal but damn impactful.
A film like Highway requires the best cinematography and Anil Mehta does the needful! The locales are beautiful but it’s thanks to Mr Mehta that it looks so stunning in the film. Same goes for Resul Pookutty’s sound design. He worked in another road movie, The Good Road, where, thanks to his efforts, it seemed that one is actually on the highway as he came up with authentic sounds. And he does the same good job in Highway too! Aarti Bajaj’s editing is razor sharp.
Finally, Imtiaz Ali deserves the maximum praise for coming up with something like Highway. It is indeed inspired from an episode of the television show Rishtey, also directed by Imtiaz, but with Highway he gets a bigger setting and also tweaks the plot. Hence, those who have seen the TV episode would still not know what’s in store. The entire bit of the kidnapped victim having a ball in captivity required a matured execution and Imtiaz does it very convincingly.
Questions do rise as to why the characters are travelling so much but again, conviction comes to the rescue. Moreover, one might argue that the childhood portion of both the principle characters was a waste of time but later on in the film, one realizes why it was necessary. Imtiaz also wrote the dialogues which were witty and seemed straight out of life. Dialogues especially played an important role in the climax and Imtiaz came up with some impactful lines. Imtiaz has delivered some legendary films, except maybe Rockstar, and with Highway, he ensures that the tradition goes on!
Some of the best scenes:
Veera gets kidnapped.
Veera at Sambhar Salt Pans.
Drama at the Punjab border.
Veera-Mahabir at the dhaba in Punjab.
The songs Patakha Guddi, Sooha Saha, Kahaan Hoon Main and Mahie Ve.
Sequence At Reckong Peo Bus Stand.
The last 40 minutes.
On the whole, Highway is amongst the best works of Imtiaz Ali. The storyline is intriguing and even abstract at places but his execution is flawless and quite convincing. It’s a treat as the film travels through different states and changing landscapes.
Performances are exemplary, with Alia Bhatt sure to go places after this film! But most importantly, this is a film that touches the heart and moves the viewers. The last 30 minutes of the film are surely going to linger in one’s minds for days altogether!
At the box office, the opening might not be huge but the film has chances of excelling big time at the box office. Here’s hoping the film gets all the praise and box office moolah that it rightfully deserves!
My rating - 4.5/5!
