Highway (I) (2014) User Reviews (219)

A Cinematic Triumph -- "HIGHWAY"

[sidin · 9/10 · 23 February 2014]

This is really very hard for me to put this in down in words what I loved about Highway or why I loved it. There are moments when Alia Bhatt's character, Veera, laughs and cries and doesn't know why she is expressing her emotions this way. Honestly, I decided not to review this film. Not because I don't want to, I really want to. Except this is one of those rare times where I might not be able to explain why I loved a film so much.

Highway is a film that starts like a typical genre film about a girl being kidnapped. The rest of it is not like a genre film about a girl being kidnapped at all. It is probably not even like an Imtiaz Ali film. Then again, this might be the film he's been wanting to make all this while. Everybody loved Jab We Met (2007), a film so likable and perfectly mainstream. Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Rockstar (2011) divided the audience. The latter more than the former but the latter also garnered more passionate support thanks to Ranbir Kapoor's performance and A. R. Rahman's brilliant music. Highway will certainly divide the audience as well.

There is a moment in the film where Veera asks Mahabir (Randeep Hooda) if he likes mountains or beaches. I'm a mountain person. It's not that I dislike beaches but I just prefer mountains. I think this would have a lot to do with whether you connect with this film or not. This film borders on a fantastical road movie, sometimes it becomes a love story and then it becomes a film about a girl's emancipation from her cage. She connects with nature, outside and inside. The first half of the film is more conventional but the more it went away from conventions; the more I fell in love with it, by the time it went for interval I already had goose bumps. It happened gradually and at the end it reached a crescendo.

Alia Bhatt is absolutely stunning in this film. She acts her heart out. She made an appearance on her mentor's chat show recently and said she considers Parineeti Chopra her competition. Like anyone who has seen her in Student of the Year (2012), I laughed off her comment as wishful thinking. Here she is giving solid competition to her and probably even outdoing her at places. More than anything, I admire her decision to do a film like this one when she could have done any other, safer film. I'm sure she will do movies that make her a star and capture the attention of the mainstream audience but it feels great to witness young talent taking a bold chance instead of treading the usual path. The film has a denouement. After the climax, the film goes on for about 10 minutes and she lets it all go. I was absolutely astonished and overwhelmed with emotion. The inexplicable kind.

Randeep Hooda plays the typical brooding silent but angry criminal. He doesn't overdo it; neither does he underplay it so much that we don't see a performance. This is a performance that could get sidelined because of Alia Bhatt's explosive turn but it is definitely his finest hour. Anil Mehta captures the beauty of the north Indian terrain and the vast expanse of the Himalayan foothills. There is silence in his images. A. R. Rahman hardly goes wrong. Patakha Guddi and Maahi Ve are one of the most wonderful songs he has ever created. I'm beginning to think he writes lyrics for them as well and then a lyricist translates them into Hindi.

There might be many flaws in the film as far as balanced critique is concerned. It's a slow- paced film but so is life. Its ideas are sublime and silent but so is the bliss and peace during a meditative state. When films try to be spiritual, they end up being intellectual. As I confessed at the beginning of the review, I wouldn't be aware of the flaws because I was too busy being in love with the film and love, as they say, is quite blind.

They also say it's not the destination but the journey that matters. Everyone quotes it but not many know what it means or want to feel it. I don't know if I know what it means but Imtiaz Ali knows and he has beautifully depicted it on screen. All our roads lead to one destination. How we go there is on us. It's my way or the "high"way. Ali takes the second route and offers us a chance to travel with him. Travel inside. There are so many filmmakers who would make thrilling entertainment out of the same material. They might have the character being raped and turn it into a social document or a gripping race against time escape-movie. Imtiaz Ali has the guts to infuse the film with love. It's not a love story but a film about love, it's a film about breaking free from the things that bind you, taking us away from love. It is never maudlin or sentimental. It doesn't stop to be a heavy-handed sermon either. It's a cathartic, profound experience.

I was a puddle at the end of the film and I don't know why. How do I explain why I was tearful? Artists can always do things they want to without having to explain their creative decisions. Critics are not artists. We are just an audience who has been given the privilege to write about our reaction to cinematic products, works of art and everything else in between. I apologize for not being able to give you valid reasons why this is an artistic triumph but I feel it is. Imtiaz Ali may not be considered an artist. For me, he most certainly is and Highway is his most beautiful expression.

A Masterpiece piece of Art !!

[sachkitaalash · 9/10 · 26 February 2014]

THIS MOVIE IS A MASTERPIECE...This movie has a soul...a silent scream of a person that has nowhere to go and no one to speak to...and so life is just a HIGHWAY !! Two people from different economic strata, brought together by fate, yet having similar childhood of mistrust, trauma and abuse. There is that void..a deep hole within the soul... that can never ever be forgotten and never be filled ever again. This movie has so many layers deep within it... like how men react differently to traumatic childhood by being aggressive and secluded within, longing for the mother figure to comfort them, and women on the other hand become carefree, wanting to just run from it all and always longing for that father figure that can take care of her always. Imitiaz Ali has researched it so well that you can feel the pain, the inappropriate joy ...and the crazy feeling of comfort in the most strange circumstances. Brilliant piece of art with such a grey hue and painted on landscape of colors !! Alia bhatt..has talent..plenty, plenty of it, and randheep hooda is brilliant. Imitiaz Ali knows the soul and heart of a woman and recreates it well in all its brilliance... a MUST watch Film !!

Highway - all the way

[pavi-singh · 9/10 · 21 February 2014]

'HIGHWAY - Imtiaz Ali' Its all the way just my way or the Highway… Imtiaz Ali is NOT the 'on your face' kind of Director but he certainly is very well on the saddle/the hand behind the wheel … totally in control. So whether you like it or not, the story simmers and seeps through the crevices deep into your veins, slowly, no hurry; no intention to make any point.

It's Imtiaz all the way and he sure, is a wanderer… subtly like all his earlier movies (jab we met/ rock-star/ 'Love Aaj Kal'/ 'Socha Na Tha'), he shall take you on a ride to India and make you realize how much you have missed all these years, not wandering. He is probably the guy who could have easily fitted well with NatGeo. May be he lives the moments that he wants to live – through his movies, may be he entices you, invites you to live/ relive those moments, may be….

So this 'Highway'… also moves. It lives up the name, a constant hum of alternate emptiness while the visuals zip past, picture perfect - perfect, anamorphic widescreen shots; just the right exposure wherein the inter-wined scenes give out an Expanse all around. Lot of bonnet- front panned shots which open up visual sectors wide angled as you move ahead, these and those reverse shots from where the camera turns a full 180 degrees to take you back to the front. I mean, achieving all this in a feature film is tremendous especially when the whole movie is shot with natural lighting. And along with it, a subtle (not loud) story chugs along beautifully. Nothing is aggressive ever, even when people get aggressive once a while… it's a highway, remember!

Imtiaz had this passion of sanctifying the childhood. He does that in all the movies; it keeps his present intentions well heeled in what went by. It's always important for his stories. Sure then, the protagonists are always trying to free themselves up, get out there in the open. Its an yearning, well yearned for! It keeps the things in perspective, unbound!!

To sum it up: you can't just be passive, nonchalant, yuck-Yanky in Highway. It sure breathes in some restlessness, differently for every different people; you want to react, getup, breathe out!!! And Highway helps you gulp out the welt, 'welp'! The narrative is smooth, the lessons are bitter; dialogs are simple, sound is perfect, music is just the right amount and blend (AR Rahman).

What would you look for --- Imtiaz Ali, who has a different script (always) and is amazingly observant while being silent (always shows you both sides of the coin in all his movies – while slyly hinting at the upper class society), Strong female lead as always (even Alia Bhatt has been made to act – high notch, very promising now), Randeep Hooda – just fantastic, very original, very mature, needs to be casted more often (if only Gunday was made with him and Ranveer), India – because you still haven't seen it all, felt it –need to be on a highway.

What not to expect – 'Totta Maina Ki Kahani', 'Naach Gaana' PT style, bubbly looks, third-rate jokes.

That's Imtiaz's way or take the Highway!

A fabulous movie

[ankurlkw · 10/10 · 22 February 2014]

Let me start by saying that this movie has everything right about it. From direction and cinematography to performances and music. The locations are breath taking.

Imtiaz Ali yet again delivers a "hat ke" love story. Its not exactly a love story but a tale of two people who want to get free and experience life. Both the characters have there own painful pasts and when they come together they let it all go and try to start it all over again.

Their journey is the theme of this movie. Alaya Bhatt and Randeep Hooda deliver power packed performances with a great supporting cast.

The movie forces us to think about the society we live in and how people struggle to lead a normal life. Be it a rich family or a poor villager. They have there own challenges.

I won't go more into the story line as that is something to be experienced.

This movie comes with a message and we are left to think what freedom and liberation means.

I will strongly recommend this one.

Magical...

[sonia-baadkr · 24 February 2014]

When we just begin to loose hope in Hindi Cinema, movies like Highway are made which makes us fall in love with Bollywood all over again. Highway is definitely not a typical Hindi movie made these days. It has a soul in it.

Watching Imtiyaz Ali's movie is like reading a book. Every emotion is expressed in such a way that you remain in a long hangover even days after watching his creation. May it be 'Socha na tha', 'Jab we Met', 'Love aaj kal' , ' rockstar' and now 'Highway' in one point or the other one could relate them self with the characters.

Highway is one such movie where silence is the weapon used with just the characters talking with their performance. They don't need hefty dialogues, well nor do they need mere words to convey the emotions that they are going through.

The most surprising factor was Alia bhat. No one would have imagined after watching SOTY that she could deliver such a terrific performance. But she has nailed it as Veera. Veera makes us smile, cry and also laugh when least expected and makes us fall in love with her. Randeep Hooda is up to the mark. Mahabir is tailor made character for Randeep. I cant imagine anyone playing Mahabir with such an ease.

Not to forget, the major credit goes to cinematographer as well. The location are captured in such a way that you can almost smell the Highway and feel the chill of chilling mountains. I could not afford to even wink my eyes, especially in the second half of the movie as the screen has turned so mesmerizing which has a capacity to leave ones eyes struck to the screen and the mouth open in an awe.

I heard few people complaining that the climax is not satisfactory. But, I personally think that this was the perfect climax for such a story.

The movie will stay with you long after you are out of the cinema hall. Which rarely happen these days.

Don't go to watch it with high expectations. You will be disappointed. Just go with a calm mind and slowly get indulge in the beauty of this magical movie.

Clint Eastwood's The Perfect World comes to mind. Nevertheless a very well made n thought provoking movie.

[Fella_shibby · 10/10 · 23 February 2014]

I saw this first day first show with my family in a suburban theatre.

The movie is thought provoking and it deals with a social message.

Lovely cinematography with a power to heal, to nurture and free your soul.

It made me want to almost pack my bags and take off into the unknown, the joy of lying down beneath the stars, beside a river or even just driving through the snow-capped mountains is enticing to say the least.

Randeep Hooda is very underrated.

He gave a solid performance.

The direction n cinematography is top notch n the best part is the screenplay.

The ending is very shocking and so is the background story of the male lead character.

Imtiaz Ali's personal and close to his heart film

[ugni-rao · 10/10 · 23 February 2014]

I regard Imtiaz Ali so highly that I dread watching his every new film. I fear that his new creation will disappoint me. No man can always hit the bulls eye every time. After watching the film, I feel ashamed that I had any doubts about him. The guy is a true genius and his every movie is like poetry on film. Lucky are the actors he decides to work with. He brings the absolute best in them.

Highway is his most personal and non-commercial film. It is as if he decided to reward himself after making lots of successful mainstream movies and made a movie close to his heart. I expect even people who liked his previous movies may not like Highway. It is easy to dismiss it as too far-fetched to happen in real life.

Both Alia and Randeep are great – Alia more so as it is essentially her story. Her natural look without makeup suits the role. Best way to watch a movie is to know nothing about it. So I am not going to reveal anything of the plot.

Be patient while watching Highway. The last half hour will blow you away.

Imtiaz Ali's best work till date

[hardyboy666 · 10/10 · 23 February 2014]

I absolutely loved it. It had such an impact on me that i couldn't stop thinking about it whole night. The cinematography was ethereal. The direction was beautiful. I've always loved Imtiaz Ali's direction. I don't know why people criticize him. He is one of the best directors we've in bollywood. The cinematic understanding that this guy have is unbelievable. RANDEEP HOODA man o man what a breathetaking performance. He absolutely nailed Mahabir's character. This has to be the most underrated performance in years. The guy is seriously talented and deserves much more than he's getting. Alia Bhatt was amazing. Considering it was just her 2nd film she did exceptionally well. The real hero of the movie was Imtiaz Ali. The layers that he put in the characters can only be done by an artist with exceptional talent. 4.5/5 from my side.

Captivating and Heartbreaking Romance/Drama With Intriguing & Deep Characters! (P.S. There's No Stockholm Syndrome Involved)

[akash_sebastian · 7/10 · 26 February 2014]

With 'Highway', a captivating and heartbreaking Romance/Drama, Imtiaz Ali is back to his charming and likable sensibilities like that of 'Jab We Met' and 'Love Aaj Kal', after the terrible 'Rockstar' (though its first half was excellent). The only exception is that in this movie, the characters have proper depth and originality which is quite rare in Hindi movies. Other than Anil Mehta's visual mastery (cinematography) and A.R.Rahman's enchanting background score, it's young Alia Bhatt's groundbreaking performance that gives the movie its soul.

Veera (Alia Bhatt), who's a girl from a rich family, is incidentally kidnapped by a group of thugs, headed by Mahabir (Randeep Hooda), after she accidentally witnesses a shootout. The journey and few circumstances eventually make these two people affectionate to each other. I'm completely sick and tired of audiences and critics going on and on about how the movie is about Stockholm Syndrome and almost celebrates it, and how it's morally disturbing in a country where women's safety is a concern. First of all, Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon in which the hostage expresses empathy/sympathy towards its captor/aggressor, which is mainly one way the ego defends itself. Military/fraternity/college hazing or ragging, and earlier Hindi movies like 'Kabul Express' and 'Raavan' might be taken as examples of this syndrome, but not this movie. People who watch the movie closely and properly would clearly understand that the movie is nowhere near to this syndrome; it mainly speaks about two souls, who were captives of their own lives, finding freedom and solace in each others' presence during their incidental journey. Veera, who was a victim of child abuse and always felt claustrophobic in her own house, finally finds herself free as she passes through these beautiful places across north of India. Mahabir, who has had painful and not-so-memorable childhood where his mother was the only caretaker, ends up in a life of robbery and thuggery to take revenge on the society which kept his mother and him in such menial circumstances; his heart melts when Veera, a girl from the kind of rich families he has grown to hate, shows such affection towards him in spite of knowing the kind of person he is, and he feels guilty thinking that he doesn't deserve such love after the kind of life he has led. And thus, a bond is etched between the two lost souls.

I never expected characters with such depth in Imtiaz's movie, but I really applaud him for his effort. It was refreshing to see such characters in a Bollywood movie. The story is quite intriguing as well. Hope he continues this trend rather than going completely mainstream.

Now let's come to the star of the movie. Alia Bhatt, who in her debut film ('Student of the Year') had a not-so-substantial and glamorous role, completely stuns you with her riveting portrayal of Veera. Whether it's the upbringing in a movie family, or the brilliant efforts of her Director Imtiaz Ali, or her proper research on the subject, whatever it is... you don't expect such a powerful and moving performance from a 20-year-old from her second movie. Alia proves to be a skillful actress, just like her half-sister Pooja Bhatt, with her in-depth character portrayal and wide range of emotions. The laughter-cum-breakdown scene over the rock over a stream, the tears-of-joy moment at the bus station, and the family confrontational scene towards the end are her emotional highlights of the movie. There's a scene in which she suddenly starts dancing on the road to techno-pop song in a Britney way and one of the kidnappers starts dancing behind her in typical Indian steps; the situation shocks you as much it does Mahabir, but it's quite hilarious and entertaining as well. Randeep Hooda is commendable as well for his portrayal of Mahabir, and forms a good support as the angry and brooding thug/kidnapper who finally finds happiness by letting go of all the anger.

The highway across the Northern Indian terrain itself becomes one of the characters in the film, and the terrific way in which Anil Mehta captures it is exquisite. From the dry empty deserts and the rural folk music of Rajasthan, the roadside vendors, the street dhabas, to the gushing streams, the wafting clouds, and the snowy mountains of the Himalayas... all these just add to the beauty of the movie. And A.R.Rahman's minimalistic yet spellbinding music helps to carry the movie forward in its simplistic charm.

It's a journey worth taking and relishing. The situations and characters provide a lot of ground for discussions.

Spiritual

[ashishgautam87 · 9/10 · 22 February 2014]

Well the movie is simple,realistic,beautifully shot,has nice music and is diligently acted.If you are looking for an out of the box movie,this movie is not for you. It is for those soul, who believe more in spiritual form of love rather than physical.It touches you at various level, though revolving around a linear storyline.The movie also touches upon various important social issues without being redundant and preachy such as child abuse,class difference etc.It also never appears to be overacted, though the scene in the second half where Alia confronts ghost of her past seems quite elongated.All in all a good clean family movie with a soulful core and a genuine message you can take back home.One of the best works of Imtiaz after Jab we Met ..one of the most soulful indeed.Though we all know practically in real life a lot of things are not possible ,but these movies sometimes gives us a hope to believe in good ...and in spiritual love.After all some movies are meant to make you oblivious about reality...for sometime.

Good recipe ! Good ingredients ! Half-coked dish ?

[jmathur_swayamprabha · 6/10 · 8 March 2014]

Highway has several pluses but those pluses do not add up to something outstanding. It's a good movie which could have become a masterpiece but couldn't due to the over-enthusiasm of the filmmaker.

As the name suggests, the story for the major part of it, runs on highways of India. It's a movie whose principal characters are on the road, heading towards some unknown destination. The hero has some purpose behind the journey but not the heroine. She simply wants the journey to continue forever.

The hero (Randeep Huda) is a modestly educated outlaw from a rural background who abducts the heroine (Alia Bhatt) who is the daughter of a rich family and has got engaged to a boy of of the same social strata. Gradually the Stockholm Syndrome comes into existence and the aggrieved and cribbing heroine not only starts enjoying this phase of her life just like an adventure but also falls in love with the hero. And thus the filmmaker justifies the tagline of this movie -'In bondage, she found freedom'.

Under his whiff of creativity, Imtiaz Ali had made a mess of his earlier venture- Rockstar (2011). He has repeated his mistakes as well as made some new mistakes this time. He has compiled a good cast and extracted brilliant performances from it, he has arranged good soul-soothing music prepared by the music composer, he has taken up a very significant and burning issue of child (sexual) abuse by the family friends and above all, he has selected great locations and got them beautifully captured by the cinematographer. But!

But the way, a half-cooked dish cannot be admired despite the high quality ingredients and good recipe, the same way a half-baked and confusing script with its poor treatment spoils everything positive in the movie. Highway is a dish made with good quality ingredients and good recipe but cooked poorly, thus spoiling the taste and the impact on the digestion system of the consumers (i.e., the viewers).

The director has detailed the life of the heroine patiently but not the life of the hero. When he could bring to fore the sexual abuse faced by the heroine in her childhood, then why he did restrict the painful back-story of the hero to bare bones ? How could the hero become a criminal, has not been clarified anywhere.

The script confuses like anything with potholes on every step. Under the temptation of showing beautiful locales of India right from Mumbai to Sambhar Salt Lake of Rajasthan to Kolkata to the hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh, he forgot to take care of the proper order of the journey being made and also did not bother for the particulars of the final destination of the abductors of the heroine. For him, perhaps, everything else was only an instrument or an excuse to show the journey of the lead pair which was more and more enjoyable. Very convenient for the characters (and the director). Seeing the enjoyment of the heroine(and later on, the hero also), many viewers may wish to be abducted in the same way.

The director has not paid attention to continuity gaps and plot-holes in the script and everything appears to be half-baked only. Leave aside the activities of the abductors and the corresponding activities of the heroine's high profile family, even the reason of heroine's opening up before the hero regarding her pain of being sexually abused by a family friend in her childhood hasn't been explained. What made her do so? Not clear. Her outburst in the penultimate scene of the movie when her wedding is being planned, is impressive but does not clarify as to what had stopped her from doing so earlier.

Cinematography is the biggest plus point of this movie. Right from the highway(s) to the salty terrain of Sambhar Lake (my hometown) to the snow and the greenery of Himachal Pradesh, every point has been beautifully captured on the screen. The movie is a very big visual treat and that only renders it a repeat value.

After cinematography, the biggest plus point of the movie is performances from the lead pair, i.e., Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt. Supporting cast members have done their bits well in their low footage roles.

Highway is a gigantic effort without its heart in the right place. Imtiaz Ali has presented a movie with several pluses but the whole product is no better than the sum total of its parts. A beautiful human body cannot be brought into existence just by combining beautiful hands, beautiful legs, beautiful features etc.

We all want our life to be a beautiful journey. As my favourite song from Jab We Met says - Hum Jo Chalne Lage, Chalne Lage Hain Ye Raaste, Aa Ha Ha, Manzil Se Behtar Lagne Lage Hain Ye Raaste; when the journey is beautiful, the paths appear to be better than the destination. However a movie has to end. It cannot go on and on like an endless journey. If Imtiaz Ali wants his audience to sit in the theater(or before the small screen) for an infinite period without any mentionable development in the story of the movie, then he needs to have a refresher course in filmmaking.

A Beautiful Film!

[namashi_1 · 9/10 · 23 February 2014]

'Highway' finds Imtiaz Ali at his best. The talented storyteller delivers a beautiful, tragic film that left me spell-bound. Here's a film that celebrates love & tragedy, with skill. Also, Alia Bhatt pitches in a brilliant performance in the central role.

'Highway' Synopsis: Right before her wedding, a young woman finds herself abducted and held for ransom. As the initial days pass, she begins to develop a strange bond with her kidnapper.

'Highway' is amongst Imtiaz Ali's finest works. His Screenplay is wonderful. It creates a world of diverse characters who eventually develop a bond. The protagonist, Veera, played by a sterling Alia Bhatt, is a character who finds freedom while being kidnapped, while the character of Mahabir, played by Randeep Hooda, is in search for love & respect. It's the diversity between these two-characters that makes this road-movie so engaging. Ali's direction is excellent. He's in top-form! Anil Mehta'a Cinematography captures every frame magnificently. Editing is crisp. Music by A.R Rahman is enchanting.

Performance-Wise: Alia Bhatt triumphs with 'Highway'. She delivers a brilliant, sterling performance as the vibrant yet haunted protagonist. She's the life of the film. Randeep Hooda is ever-impressive. He enacts his part with amazing understanding. The supporting cast lends good support.

On the whole, 'Highway' is near-perfection. A marvelous motion-picture!

Great Film !!

[agha-hashim · 7/10 · 10 March 2014]

'Highway' is one of those few original stories Bollywood produces once in a while and satisfy those looking for something different, rather than the same old rehashed love/action movies.

The cast meshed perfectly with each other, both Alia and Randeep had obvious chemistry. Most of the movie is shot against the beautiful terrain of India in a particular lighting that sometimes makes you feel you're watching an indie art film but that only adds to the presentation.The score is amazing and compliments the particular scenarios.

The reason i gave this is a 7 is because the movie does have its rough edges, the two most pivotal moments of the film were extremely rushed i.e. when Veera gets comfortable with her kidnappers and second, when she eventually starts falling for her kidnapper Mahabir. More time should have been focused on these arcs in order for Veera's change of heart seem more believable to the viewer.You could easily write a book with this story and IMHO would have done more justice.

Despite this its a great movie and well worth your time and money.

Little Unrealistic But Amazing Film

[pranjal-874-812417 · 5/10 · 9 March 2014]

Another great work by Imtiaz Ali. The film is made for a mature audience. It shows the bond between a poor kidnapper truck driver and a rich girl. Not so new concept but still wonderful to watch. Its not a typical love story, its something new and refreshing.It's a little unrealistic but if you leave that unrealistic fact then it is a wonderful film.Superb acting by both the actors. Randeep Hooda did an amazing job with his intense character role. From Alia Bhatt,honestly speaking I wasn't expecting much from her after her first film SOTY, but after this film I am expecting her to go to in the top Bollywood actress category in few years. Overall its a good and emotional film. Beautiful work by Anil Mehta too (cinematographer). Go for it. Don't listen to the stupid Indian critics.

Beautifully scripted movie along the roads of north India.

[mailrenault-1 · 21 February 2014]

IMHO...

Excellent... beautiful... superlative... three words i am very wary of using when describing a movie... the rarer i do it, the more importance it holds.

GET ON THIS HIGHWAY.

Ramesh Sippy had his Sholay, Alia Bhat has her HIGHWAY. This young actress, i never thought good of (i gave her Student of the Year a wide berth). Here she has kept me riveted for a good length of time with her facial contortions... her voice, her silence, her eyes, her dressing..... everything. her transformation from a cocooned girl to a free butterfly during the course of the movie is sublime. ill give her a perfect 12 out of 10. and she didn't have to resort to ANY skin show; no T&A here, pure genes at play. She shines. the movie belongs to her, and she excels.

the story is simple, the subplots un-complicated. be it the horny accomplice (well its essentially a kidnapping story), the good at heart sidekick, the adequately sinister/ curiously enigmatic randeep hooda (more on him later, he deserves a separate writeup), the camera work, the locations, the un-obtrusive soundtrack and music that grows on you. i found very little to complain about in the movie. probably Alia's Stockholm Syndrome kicked in too early into the movie, but im willing to overlook it.

Randeep Hooda has the kind of brooding, lingering, intense screen presence that you'd associate with say a Ajay Devgn. tough to find fault. the way he hisses his expletives, the snarling of a person with a repressed background, the slow unfolding of a soft core, the endearing body language and sheer rugged sexiness. WOW. from the rustic dialect, to the clothes, to the grime filled fingernails... the effort to live the character is commendable.

the background score and the songs, the overall tempo of the movie is very well complimented with the accompaniments. the purpose of good music is not to make its presence felt, but to ensure that its absence will hamper the narrative. That happens here. i don't remember a word of any song sung in the movie, but i know it was essential to drive the movie forward.

The locations depicted in the movie, the adept camera-work made me want to whip out my cell phone and take pictures of the screen. the mountains, the overhanging cliffs along the routes, the beautiful countryside (kashmir/ rajasthan, lovely roads)... the lenses have been taught to fall in love with the locations. Zero doubt about it.

watch the movie... Watch The Movie... WATCH THE MOVIE...

good acting, good direction, good camera-work, good story, a well handled sensitive subplot, brilliant characters... what else do you need?

You are now on the highway. Please Applaud !

[navindutt-531-713281 · 8/10 · 22 February 2014]

I have a soft corner for Imtiaz Ali. Dating back to an interaction two decades back. I almost stood up when I first saw Jab We Met. The surprises at every corner of the road traveled by Shahid and Kareena were absolute delights. He evoked a classy sense of humor in Love Aaj Kal and then I watched with disconcert not sure if I had liked RockStar. Having been drunk on the heavenly music of the movie by Maestro A R Rahman and after practically selling Pataka Guddi to everyone who wanted to hear, the wait for the movie was finally worth it.

The verdict straight away. I wanted to stand up again. Just microscopically short of being a marvelous and a great movie. The opening kidnapping scene takes you back to Roja, when another master Mani had led you to the hills and captured them with the camera caressing nature careful not to pollute it with attention too much. I bit my lips praying that the wonderful songs by ARR were not tucked into the screenplay to pop up jarringly to justify themselves.

The film is not about a story. It is about treatment. It is about loving your country well enough to make it appear more alluring than a dozen other over rated countries. It is the ability to see beauty as much in a whole row of dilapidated trucks lost in time as in a snow laden country racing by, or taking the road less traveled alongside a river with virgin gurgling waters.

The protagonist Alia lands up, in a sequence of events, on a road journey with her apparently malicious perpetrator. Being on the run is not used as an excuse to showcase scenery but knowingly used as a tool to allow the individuals who are hurting from deep within to unravel themselves. If you do not allow yourself to be sucked into their lives you may find the plot-line dreary because you cannot connect with the alternating misery and happiness of the main leads.

The girl is from a wealthy and powerful family and appears gung-ho about life. Till the road journey scratches her surface provoking her to abandon efforts to get back to her cozy life and instead tease out the wound which appeared to have healed externally but is hurting deep within. The experience mirrors in the male lead Randeep's evolution in the journey. Brilliantly interweaving personal stories within the main matrix of a kidnapping used as a tool to lay out the emotional wares, Imtiaz is simply outstanding out doing himself in the process and marching into uncharted territory without sacrificing the entertainment index.

Talking too much particulars and specifics of the movie will actually destroy the experience of watching it and the hard work put in creating the various moments an accumulation of which actually completes the experience, will be lost. Softly nudging the story along is AR Rahman with his soulful numbers never ever appearing out of place and taking care never to intrude into the narrative and when it does with Pataka Guddi, Alia simply traces out the music with her fingers in the air. She even sings a lullaby with not a note lost.

There are many winners in this movie. Randeep Hooda, a wonderful actor who has been floundering for some time now trying to make a niche for himself has found his cut with this role. He performs it with the right amount of restraint never once going overboard or hamming to overwhelm his own character.

Director Imtiaz Ali brings a lot of serenity with his very clear presence behind the camera. The editing is seamless aided by great photography except when camera shots on top of a truck giving the front and the back views are totally disconnected, the rear camera showing a well tarred road and the front one showing a narrow rough road. Obviously very bad editing at that point. Perhaps they thought no one would notice it but it jars!

There are wonderful real people all along the screen play and they live up to their individual roles with natural vigor creating memorable characters. Imtiaz merits each character in the story with an uniqueness that allows them to stand out on their own and make a mark in the few moments that they are on screen. Last seen only in Lagaan or Swades.

And as for the main female lead. Dare I say that this is the performance of the year? Perhaps in the last few years only Vidya Balan has come this close with her natural flair in Kahaani. Here we see a full throated performance from Alia who gives herself up to the director and his vision. This is one of the most spirited natural performances in recent times. Be ready to get choked in a final long gut wrenching climax carried on shoulders fully by the young girl. The signs of a star certainly.

Want to be surprised? Want to flush the bad experiences of some bad movies recently? Enter this Zen like audio visual experience. And you will not regret. So why not a full five star rating. Because the film is allowed to intentionally flag at some places making the narrative appear to be taking a pause. But this is highly debatable in terms of the impact they could have on the final output.It is the total sum of all the effects that complete the experience for the audience. It is difficult to believe that the movie has not been shot chronologically. So perfect is the transition from scene to scene. This is a craft difficult to create and easy to comment on. For today I will just applaud! Well done Imtiaz!

A high cinematic experience

[Peter_Young · 8/10 · 22 September 2015]

I used to consider Imtiaz Ali to be quite overrated, but with Highway, my opinion of him has changed dramatically. Highway is one of the most beautiful films of recent times in Hindi cinema, in terms of both photography and storytelling. Telling the story of a young girl kidnapped in an act she herself would eventually consider pure bliss, Highway starts as a road movie and what could have become a suspenseful thriller of sorts, turns into a deeply involving love story between two aching souls. The captive girl finds a true saviour in her captor and eventually falls for him, showing little interest in coming back home. The movie is not without its clichés, and the sub-story of child abuse the young woman had been through as a child tends to be a little corny, but then everything is handled with great delicacy. It is emotional but totally controlled and sensible, all thanks to Ali, who deals with the complex subject with impressive understanding and

Aided by brilliant cinematography, the movie is beautifully shot across some of North India's most breathtaking locations, but not only does it capture the beauty of India's exotic mountains and the magic of its simplicity, it consistently stands as a celebration of the human spirit and conveys a meaning of freedom is spite of the potentially troubling proceedings. The film is slow paced, but totally engaging and absorbing, and that's because the story is expertly developed, with the ensuing portions of romance working quite effectively. Everything grows naturally, and what starts with a quietly serene narrative style is gradually filled with music up to a point where the narrative is nothing but music and high spirit. And for that you have to thank the master himself, A. R. Rahman, whose stupendous soundtrack and score enhance the film and its story. The songs are in sync with the proceedings and always reflect the characters' state.

The acting is excellent even by actors appearing in minor parts. The lead pair is played by Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt, and the two have fantastic chemistry. The romantic tension between the two is built up with great conviction - it never looks peculiar in spite of the nature of their parts, and never looks missing in spite of the lack of too much physical interaction. Hooda is tremendous as Mahabir, brilliantly underplaying the essence of a man who may look cruel and fearless, but beneath this tough exterior there's a poor, compassionate and quietly tormented soul. But the movie belongs to young Bhatt, who's pretty and bubbly but just totally immersed in the spirited character of Veera, so much that even she herself might not have expected from herself. She seems to really get the resilient nature of her part, but rather than playing it, she lives it, presenting an exhilarating portrait of strength, determination and positivity.

Highway ends on a poignant but realistic note, and the ending is extremely cathartic and satisfying. It ends up being a greatly affecting love story which surely is inspiring to watch, and besides that it is a true visual treat worth watching more than once. A rewarding cinematic experience, highly recommended.

Surprised!

[manojks777 · 10/10 · 27 February 2014]

I am not a great fan of Imtiaz's earlier two movies. This movie had everything to like. That's why I said I was surprised. Starting with the cinematography and camera works. The first half is very gripping and the story just flows like a quiet river. Second half is equally good. Background score is awesome. Liked the way the songs have been used to take the story forward. AR Rahman is awesome as always. No lip-sync songs. Only background ones.

I also found the movie to be a bit spiritual in way because its impossible to think the two central characters would fall in love (or may be they didn't, they just empathised with each other). Now just compare this with physical love.

Randeep Hooda looked his part. Must have worked hard to live that character on screen. Alia is good. We have to wait for her next movies to see how good she is. Imtiaz has done a great work to make the story believable. Mahabir's character development in particular was well written.

I would give extra two stars for the director's honesty. (Because I think his earlier two movies had shades of economics, read commercial.)This has to be one of the best Hindi movies made.

One of the best movie I have ever seen, I mean it.

[abhyam · 10/10 · 27 February 2014]

Highway is one of the best movie I have ever seen. And yes, I have seen many (including all IMDb 250 movies). It is a personal opinion and I connected with the movie. The performances are amazing. Alia Bhatt seems the girl just next door, who has depicted the character as authentically as possible. Randeep Huda is good. Direction is out of the world. The story flows as it should, neither pacey nor slow. In second half, you might feel bored if you don't connect to the story. But if you do, feel what the characters must be feeling, think that no matter how implausible it might seem (child molestation) but it is a harsh reality, you will wonder what would have happened if the same happened to you, the answer lies on the screen. The movie has fare share of laughs, drama, thrill and scenic beauty. You will fall in love with Alia Bhatt's character. She will make you smile all along. Catch it if you connected with my writing. Else, skip it.

HIGHWAY.....yet nowhere to reach....either love it or leave it

[vivek0960 · 7/10 · 21 February 2014]

Do we know all about ourself,our society n all other things around us....could we differentiate between fact n truth.There are many uncertainties we keep walking with and it does not matter to anyone where are we going,it's highway..where nothing to fear,just live your life as you always wanted to. Moving on to movie director Imtiyaaz Ali smartly shown one of the facts of our two faced society,the wicked n devil face of our society.Movie is directors most dark movie till date,still too provocative. Director portrayed the emotions not with words,just see u could feel it.He smartly chosen a emotional plot over a thriller. The real beauty of movie lies in it's unmatched cinematography,the power packed performances of Alia Bhatt and Randeep hooda and the heart wrenching emotion. climax of the movie is it's soul,AR Rehman's music is lovable.The climax sequences asks several questions and when you will come out of the theater you will have some hangover and some provocative questions.... Life's rule is simple live it as you have expected,never give others your life's handle to control....it's your highway no matter how bumpy ahead, ride for your own shake........ The stuff:VEERA- I was kidnapped still I was free there,it's my home and it's suffocating...whimsical. HIGHWAY-veera:i don't want to return and dn't want to reach anywhere,just want to ride on this bumpy highway........ HIGHWAY is purely emotional,sarcastic on society,provocative if u feel n love as theme.LOVE is pure ,insane may be for a moment not for person to a person but for yourself.In search of fresh air director urges from mass to break the barriers in this imperfect world where finding ur soul in the best possible way for human is to take LOVE ride.......

Worth A Watch

[yashmishra91 · 8/10 · 20 February 2014]

Highway (Hindi): Beautiful visuals, Beautiful tunes and Beautiful moments with a tinge of Art house cinema. But Hey! based on a story kept in the heart of director Imtiaz Ali's for years, this drive might give you a disappointment as it loses its track in the second half especially due to its screenplay which lacks its destination and the director's implication of his own stricter fantasy world within the screen constraints (like in European cinema) , might give you a shocker. Having shades of "Stockholm Syndrome" and even his own previous blockbusters like "Rockstar" in the beginning and "Jab We Met" between the course of the film , the self-discovery of a woman though has been shown well in the film, as part of her character development in the screenplay. Then the technical part, especially the sound design by Resul Pookutty is great, then the cinematography by Anil Mehta revisits his "Lagaan" brilliance. The music score by A.R.Rahman is undoubtedly great and his score compliments the film's narrative. In the performances, Durgesh Kumar provides a great support in the journey. Randeep Hooda somewhere is good and somewhere overdone. But Alia Bhatt emerges out as the real winner as she gives a terrific performance, making it a best of this year by a actress in Hindi film after Parineeti Chopra in "HTP". The film has some good moments along with some crackling dialogues enough to make you smile for some extra minutes. Overall, the film might have not appeal much to the general mass audience, but for a good cinematic experience, the film deserves a Dekko. My rating would be: 3.5/5.

towards freedom

[harsha442 · 7/10 · 21 February 2014]

Veera is the young member of a wealthy(closed!) family, being which she feels suffocated. And Mahabir is a member(rather leader) of a thieves(rather dacoits) group, who is sick of rich people, who, according to him, are looting every one . Both characters have strong personalities and emotions that come out at various junctures.

The movie portrays two persons aggrieved with the happenings in their life coming together incidentally and search for freedom and peace in their own way.

The depiction of the slow change in the feelings between Veera and Mahabir is smooth and realistic enough for their, rather diverse backgrounds.

Randeep is so natural in the character that he suits better to that rather than his original self. Alia too is convincing in most part of the movie, except in few emotional scenes, but she gives her best in the climax scene, where it is crucial.

Good use of the plot to show scenic beauties of the high north. It should also be appreciated for highlighting one of the serious societal problems India is facing for a long time, now.

Imtiaz Ali - Brilliant Storyteller

[meha-ps · 8/10 · 21 February 2014]

You know you have just witnessed a great bit of film-making, when the viewing experience collides with your own and almost leaves you within the movie along with its characters. Highway was one such experience. The strong theme of nature that ran through the movie reminded me of its power to heal, to nurture and free you soul. It made me want to almost pack my bags and take off into the unknown, the joy of lying down beneath the stars, beside a river or even just driving through snow-capped mountains is enticing to say the least. Tie this with an intense relationship involving two individuals carrying wounds so deep that unconsciously draw them into each other's spheres of existence, changing their lives forever. A journey that takes them to the core of their being leaving an impact that is life –altering, forever. As is the case with such connections, happy ending are often rare and the movie kept it real. Except for a handful of unrealistic instances and sequence of events ( You cannot dance like the pussycat dolls when your kidnapped on the mountains, neither do you end up in a petrol station at 1 am just before your wedding night only to be caught by a couple of armed dacoits).... Highway nevertheless is still a journey worth taking. Great Cast – Randeep acting was just superb, and Alia is stunning for a 20 year old. They sure brought alive a great story written by the talented Imtiaz Ali. AR Rahman's Mahi Ve track is the icing on this cake for me.

A Good Road Drama of Evolving Human Dynamics

[DareDevilKid · 7/10 · 26 February 2014]

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)

Rating: 3.4/5 stars

A thought-proving take on human relationships and their changing dynamics as shown through the actions and decisions of its lead characters. As usual, more than the film itself, Director Imtiaz Ali displays his talent for extracting brilliant performances from his main cast.

Randeep Hoods delivers his best performance till date and finally gets the scope to showcase his latent talent. But its Alia Bhatt who completely steals the show. She's riveting as the vulnerable girl who graciously accepts the drastic and scary situation she's thrust into with gusto and heart. Her body language is enough to demonstrate her realization that it's this situation, which provides her with a new lease of life and complete freedom. She discovers a degree of honesty, truth, and acceptance with her kidnappers that she never experienced before in the decent world.

Ms. Bhatt does enough to convince us that "SOTY" was an aberration and everybody should anticipate her forthcoming releases. "Highway" is a good film on its own. What makes it better are Hooda's and Alia's class acts.

Definitely Not Myway!

[shalinu · 3/10 · 24 February 2014]

Its neither romantic nor thriller. This movie fails horribly at developing any relationship between the main two characters. It is as stupid as it can get. There is so much focus over Alia Bhatt (aka Veera) that other characters somehow get lost in many many transitions of story and scenes. Randeep Hooda (aka Mahabir) gets high five from me for acting but his character lacks any logical or practical point of views when it comes to delivering the decisions or keep audience in focus or grip. At one point Veera run away from her captors, and comes back!? Really!? Who in this world would do that ? Who goes back to kidnapper ? Why ?

Kidnapping looks like a must needed reason in the script for getting both main characters together. This subject in particular has been taken way too easy. Imtiaz Ali (Director) was either ignorant or wanted to create comedy out of it.

Music is good (A.R. Rahman) and so as all the places where the shooting took place. Well may be that's the only thing I enjoyed in the movie. You come out in the end with a headache while still thinking, what happened to other people in the movie or may be what's the point ? Whatever it was, it was definitely not romantic...

Avoid it. Don't waste your time and money.