HIGHWAY
When I heard the story of Alia’s audition (about how
she danced with abandon to a Madhuri number) and then saw her in SOTY I thought
okay another bimbo enters the industry. Then having watched her in Highway has
led me to think that maybe Karan is indeed a true Johari! (Pun Intended!) In
fact when I heard that she is a part of Two States I thought – Ok the story
ain’t too great but surely they could have found a better actor to essay the
female lead. It turns out that the people out there do know the business of
cinema…..
Whether you like the movie or not I am dead sure that
Alia shall leave her mark on you. The accent these days is to have a simple
storyline and stick to strong performances. And how good are the performances
in this movie! Though again following the current trend the stronger role is
the domain of the female protagonist. The main thing which strikes you about
this movie is how few are the dialogues, how devoid of sensationalist sequences
this movie is! It’s just like the make-up less Alia.
The story is very simple. A girl gets kidnapped and
then has to stay with her captors. Then she likes her current life better than
what she had at home! And she has a dark secret! That’s it! That’s it in a
nutshell…..
But…….
Imtiaz Ali has directed this movie so well. The entire
feel of the movie in spite of the kidnapping and the angst which the victim
feels is like swimming underwater….. Surrender yourself and you shall fall in
love with Veera ( Alia Bhatt). The touch of the Bimbo that she displays at the
beginning soon gives way to a powerful performance. One scene in which she
tries to run away and another in which she eats for the first time are so
amazing. She talks to herself and that seems so effortless and uncontrived. Her
dancing to western music is perfect. Randeep glowers throughout the movie just
as he is expected to do, but has two beautiful moments one at the beginning of
the movie and one at the climax. And both leave you feeling impressed.
The cinematography makes you fall in love with India,
Truly a splendid job!
Prior to watching the movie I had been soaking myself
in the music of the film and am quite addicted to this fine A R Rahman outing,
but to my surprise the music isn’t a big part of the movie. In fact I barely
registered when Patakha Guddi came and went. That is how this simple story line
grabs you. Come to think of it all that really happens is that the people keep
travelling, but it takes you along for the journey.
If I had to go nit-picking all I would say is that
Imtiaz Ali in his movies has very sharp black and definitions of his characters
and situations. Also the supporting characters lacked the same punch that a lot
of movies nowadays display. That having been said I must confess that I still
quite enjoyed this movie.
Give it a shot you might like it too!
Whilst on the topic of travelling I must tell you that
we have a new flyover near our college, but a word of warning…. Don’t get on to
it after exiting Pimpri if you are heading to Pune, you will have to go all the
way to Baner, especially if you are foolish enough to ignore the various exits
along the way! And I am not saying that I did……. All I am saying is that you
could……J J
Comments