Bolly Volley: Highway Takes Too Many Detours

A monthly shower of previews, reviews and my unsolicited views — Volume 15, by columnist Arup Raha.

Highway has too many detours

2014 has started well with two fabulous movies in the first two months, Dedh Ishqiya and Hasee Toh Phasee. Both have broken Bollywood conventions around romance, and both have already won a lot of hearts. Expectations were high from Highway as well (released 21 Feb): director Imtiaz Ali has made quite a name for himself as one of the most promising new-generation filmmakers in Mumbai. From Geet Dhillon in Jab We Met to Janardhan Jakhar in Rockstar, Ali's leading characters have often been non-conformists, and Veera Tripathi (Alia Bhatt) in Highway is no different.

Highway is Veera's story — her abduction, and a journey in captivity that ironically helps her find freedom: freedom from pretense, from social boundaries, from the dark corners of her past. At least, that is the story the movie appears to start out with. Along the drive, though, it introduces several sub-stories: Stockholm syndrome-like feelings (or is it love?) between abductor and captive, a story of the poor versus the rich, a story about the beauty of the mountains against the clutter of the cities, and a story involving child sex abuse (reminiscent of Monsoon Wedding) that almost knocks you off the highway. Nothing wrong with sub-stories that aid the main story — but here they only end up confusing the viewer. Add some abrupt behavioral transformations in the lead characters, and this drive gets very bumpy. From the gunshot that starts the abduction to the gunshot that ends it, Highway has several great moments as well.

The interesting plot, exemplary cinematography (by Anil Mehta), and good performances make the movie worth a watch. The camera takes you on an amazing road trip through stunning locales in northern India — unforgettable glimpses of landscape, villages, and people along the way. Randeep Hooda delivers Mahabir, the abductor, with utmost confidence; it's hard to understand why Hooda hasn't been celebrated as much as he deserves, in spite of several great performances over the years (D, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Bombay Talkies). Alia Bhatt — daughter of Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan, in only her second major release — effortlessly fits the innocent, naïve, vulnerable but determined city girl (interestingly, a very similar character was played by her half-sister Pooja Bhatt in Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin). She impresses, though the much-quoted tweet from Javed Akhtar comparing the performance to Shabana Azmi in Arth and Nutan in Bandini goes too far too soon.

The best performances come from the supporting actors — Mahabir's sidekicks, particularly Durgesh Kumar (as Aadoo) and Saharsh Shukla (as Goru). You can't watch Highway and not fall in love with them. The scene where Aadoo lets go and breaks into a dance with Veera on the song "Wanna Mash Up" (sung by Lady Kash, Krissy, and Suvi, music by A.R. Rahman, choreographed by Shohini Dutta) makes you laugh your heart out — and is also a manifestation of the joy of freedom. If only the film had stuck to that theme, Imtiaz Ali's Highway could have scaled the mountains, instead of leaving its audience stranded at the foothills.

Watch out for these movies releasing soon

Shaadi Ke Side Effects (28 Feb) — Two of the best actors in recent years, Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan, come together in this promising comedy from Balaji Films.

Queen (7 Mar) — Rajkumar Rao and the much-improved Kangana Ranaut pair up in this movie that is likely to surprise and charm everyone.

Gulaab Gang (7 Mar) — This highly anticipated release may turn out to be a big disappointment, but you can't ignore a movie that has Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla!