Movie Review: Highway
Cast: Alia Bhatt, Randeep Hooda
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
Music: AR Rahman
MUST WATCH
There are momentary instances when you might feel that the story is moving quite slow. Of for that matter it is not really moving. Momentary. And then something comes up and drags you right back into Highway.
There is a way Imtiaz Ali deals with his characters. His stories have been more often than not propelled by characters and how they react. Highway, like his other films is an aggregate of emotions and changes in his lead characters - his two characters, and how they impact each other's lives.
His Ahista Ahista (written only), his Jab We Met, his Love Aaj Kal, his Rockstar... all his films have fundamentally been about two characters, them meeting and then changing in each other's company. Highway does not deviate. Mahabir (Randeep) kidnaps Heera (Alia), and in captivity she finds the true joys of being free. Characters that are tremendously layered, with ample flesh and blood, thanks to a thorough writing job.
Ali scores in creating scenes that are so in sync with the characters that they look phenomenally real - a gargantuan task in mainstream Bollywood! Scenes which are so powerful that they could single-handedly life the careers of both the actors into the next level! Of course not without them standing up to the occasion... and they do.
Alia Bhatt is a revelation. She packs a punch.She is vulnerable, she is strong, she is playful, she is hard-headed, she is gullible; she displays an array of characteristics beautifully. Not the first actress to be redefined by Imtiaz Ali's direction, Alia's confidence seems boosted. At some level she does remind of Kareena Kapoor from Jab We Met. Randeep in the meantime is precise. He is superlatively effective. This one actor has steadily grown into someone who is irreplaceable in a role meant for him. Like this one of Mahabir.
Goes without saying that it is not just the actors that are in top form. Every department is. Music, sound, photography...! Rahman scores beautifully and the sound design -using silence to add to the story. And oh! it makes India look more beautiful than ever. Exotic locations, picturesquely shot. Speaks loads about Ali as a director his understanding of the finer nuances of filmmaking. Of known what he exactly needs to accentuate the impact of the performed scenes.
Over 24 hours since I saw the film and I still can't get over it. A scene toward the end when Mahabir breaks down and Heera holds him... you would be amazed.
Highway is quite therapeutic. It does tug at your heart, evoke emotion. Highway grabs your attention right from the first second and leaves you with a smile and a beautiful tune by Rahman playing in your mind. And of course a wise thought -sometimes the stranger heals better than the home - probably a cornerstone around which Ali wove this story. It just cements Imtiaz Ali's postion as one of the best we have in Indian cinema. Take a bow!
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
Music: AR Rahman
MUST WATCH
There are momentary instances when you might feel that the story is moving quite slow. Of for that matter it is not really moving. Momentary. And then something comes up and drags you right back into Highway.
There is a way Imtiaz Ali deals with his characters. His stories have been more often than not propelled by characters and how they react. Highway, like his other films is an aggregate of emotions and changes in his lead characters - his two characters, and how they impact each other's lives.
His Ahista Ahista (written only), his Jab We Met, his Love Aaj Kal, his Rockstar... all his films have fundamentally been about two characters, them meeting and then changing in each other's company. Highway does not deviate. Mahabir (Randeep) kidnaps Heera (Alia), and in captivity she finds the true joys of being free. Characters that are tremendously layered, with ample flesh and blood, thanks to a thorough writing job.
Ali scores in creating scenes that are so in sync with the characters that they look phenomenally real - a gargantuan task in mainstream Bollywood! Scenes which are so powerful that they could single-handedly life the careers of both the actors into the next level! Of course not without them standing up to the occasion... and they do.
Alia Bhatt is a revelation. She packs a punch.She is vulnerable, she is strong, she is playful, she is hard-headed, she is gullible; she displays an array of characteristics beautifully. Not the first actress to be redefined by Imtiaz Ali's direction, Alia's confidence seems boosted. At some level she does remind of Kareena Kapoor from Jab We Met. Randeep in the meantime is precise. He is superlatively effective. This one actor has steadily grown into someone who is irreplaceable in a role meant for him. Like this one of Mahabir.
Goes without saying that it is not just the actors that are in top form. Every department is. Music, sound, photography...! Rahman scores beautifully and the sound design -using silence to add to the story. And oh! it makes India look more beautiful than ever. Exotic locations, picturesquely shot. Speaks loads about Ali as a director his understanding of the finer nuances of filmmaking. Of known what he exactly needs to accentuate the impact of the performed scenes.
Over 24 hours since I saw the film and I still can't get over it. A scene toward the end when Mahabir breaks down and Heera holds him... you would be amazed.
Highway is quite therapeutic. It does tug at your heart, evoke emotion. Highway grabs your attention right from the first second and leaves you with a smile and a beautiful tune by Rahman playing in your mind. And of course a wise thought -sometimes the stranger heals better than the home - probably a cornerstone around which Ali wove this story. It just cements Imtiaz Ali's postion as one of the best we have in Indian cinema. Take a bow!
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