Highway movie review: Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda Rocks

Highway movie review:
Imtiaz Ali has won a lot of accolades for his unique and character driven romances around which he builds his movies. With “Jab We Met”, “Love Aaj Kal” and “Rockstar”, Imtiaz boldly and courageously brought unconventional romances to the Indian cinema where anything other than a formula masala movie is considered risky investment. And, Imtiaz's Highway is another attempt by the director who has become the torch bearer of the generation X cinema. And, to see how Imtiaz has fared in his latest venture lets begin our Highway movie review.

The journey starts

Imtiaz's Highway kicks off with the scenes of the pre wedding ceremonies. Veera who belongs to a wealthy Delhi family is getting married and these scenes are shot in a documentary style. Imtiaz captures the wedding atmosphere in his unique style, recording the scenes in snippets.

The first jolt

Veera in order to escape the tedious wedding ceremonies sneaks out on a secret drive with her fiance. On their way back home, Veera gets kidnapped by the gang led by Mahabir Bhatti (Randeep Hooda). The shocked gang finds out Veera's background, but Mahabir doesn't change his plans and decides to take to the highway flanked with beautiful landscapes to dodge the law.

Bumps ahead

The journey down the highway breaks Veera from her tedious life and she starts enjoying the freedom her captivity provides. Veera also starts opening up about her difficult past which honestly is out of the blue but Alia executes it perfectly. We also realize that Mahabir is also struggling with dark secrets of his own childhood.

The mileage and performance

In Highway, Alia Bhatt has proved that she isn't just a pretty face who rocked in her debut movie “Student of Year” because her beauty and sensuality. She shows off her incredible acting credentials in the movie. Though as an actor she still is inexperienced, nevertheless her raw talent manages to shine.

Randeep Hooda as always plays his role with perfection. He efficiently slips into the role of a 'haryanavi' dacoit and displays his disgust towards rich, his conflicting feelings for Veera with aplomb. Hooda with his performance in Highway has added another brilliant outing to his envious CV.

The sweet hum

A R Rehman combines with his Oscar winning team members Resul Pookutty and Amrit Pritam to deliver another soulful music which enhances the cinematic journey of Imtiaz's Highway.

The scenery

Cinematographer Anil Mehta is the unsung hero as he beautifully captures the scenic beauty of lavish hills of Himachal Pradesh, the lush green fields of Punjab and the rustic sands of Rajasthan with distinction. Without him, I feel the movie would have lost its soul.

The compass isn't right

The only front on which Imtiaz's Highway falters is - the screenplay. This time Imtiaz who is known for his narration skills has failed to properly develop his story of the movie. Some of the scenes doesn't have the touch of realism, a realistic feel. And, sometimes the movie does become a tad dull and tedious.

Verdict

Imtiaz's Highway though lacking in some aspects is a cinematic delight especially for those who like me regularly suffer bouts of wanderlust.

Sandhira.com Highway movie review rating 3/5
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