Highway Movie Review - Everyone Has A Story To Tell

My house is located, almost at a junction of three states and three highways, so to go anywhere in the city or outside, I have to transverse on at least two. And I enjoy travelling, exploration and journeys are one of the things, that I value when I look back at my life.

I mentioned this because Highway is one movie that would make you reflect a lot, that too a lot many things and wonder about the wonders of your journey  so far. However, the movie may leave you confused.

The Performances

The review will be replete with such instances and personal memoirs because Highway touches many chords, a different one for everyone. Alia Bhatt is a carefree, flying, emotional and eloquent bird, she does have something to tell, which she reveals through the course of the movie. She says that she doesn't wish to go back, neither she wants to reach the destination, she wishes to relish the journey. Alia, once out of her house, is finally able to express her dream, she eventually could fulfill it, but a lot does happen in between, and that what the movie is about. Alia excels in the performance, there is bucket full of emotions for her to show, she does it commendably, expectations increase hence. 

Randeep Hooda, with his one nostril always flared up, taned skin, rugged look, perfect accent, is very convincing. He hardly speaks, is astounded by Alia's mannerisms and tantrums, something bothers him, (which is never revealed in the movie) and is disconnected from everyone around. Around us, don't we know at least one person who is held back, there is something that bothers him or her, rarely speaks the heart out, and could  break down when shown unexpected generosity and love. Randeep Hooda is that individual, all in one.

I was talking to a dear friend of mine, I said lets just to a village, farm and enjoy the greenery, have cows and pets and lead a calm and peaceful life. Alia had the something similar in her little dream. Highway is about this dream, that we have in all of us, to run away from what we have in our lives, make an ideal home in the mountains or on a beach, away from all the baggage and the pain. Alia wishes to escape from the shackles of the richness and as for Randeep, nobody knows.

The Story

It is a very Imtiaz Ali film, not at all a good one. All his characters break moulds they are made in, they are very random in their acts, they do not hesitate (the girls majorly). Same is the case with Highway. Alia embarks on a journey nobody wanted her to ever take, Randeep obstinately moves to go ahead with the kidnapping and ransom thing. Characters do random things, earlier Alia cries when she is kidnapped but suddenly she is all warmed up, she even refuses to reveal herself to the police, a fact even she is not clear about that why she did it. Yes, people are different and their conditioning makes them what they are, but they must fit into the premise of a sensible plot, which Imtiaz could not achieve this time.

Apart from the unconservativeness of the characters, one word that was in my mind till the very end of the movie was 'randomness', there are many more turns in the story which would make absolute no sense. Also, the movie addresses not just travelling, breaking rules or falling in love, but a lot many other things, which leaves viewers to look for a particular direction for the movie to move in. Script is haphazard and there are very few moments that would stay with you after you step out of the hall. Climax, though not surprising, is still not totally believable. There is little humor too, but it is now a part of every movie, here also, it just breaks the monotonous pace of the movie. Towards the end, you just want to get it over with.

On the good side, the movie is a picturesque journey, all the locations are beautifully captured by Anil Mehta, colorful as our country is, so is the movie. The terrain is remarkably used to depict the fullness of the bond in the lead characters, it keeps on getting fuller and brighter. I have traveled a lot on the similar highways, so the recognition took me home. Music and background score is subtle, it is by A.R. Rahman, it has an embracing effect on the plot and does not over spill.

To put an end to this, Highway touches many chords but the music fails to reverberate for long. Highway didn't disappoint me, but it didn't do anything else either. It is a journey in itself, and a journey, how much ever filled with bumps, is never unyielding. Buy the ticket, and tell your story, if you liked it or not.

Stars of the movie - N.A.

Stars to the movie - 2.5

My Happiness Profile

Recently, there has been a happiness overdose everywhere around. One of my dear friends with whom I share my happiness theory (I would do like to share it someday, this post is not just about it) introduced me to #100happydays Concept. You make a note of the 100 happy days in your year, anywhere you want, be it your paper notebook or a diary, or a word document which I use, I do not do the 100 days things, but every other day note; or the much used facebook wall. Off late, seniors in my college are on a #100happydays spree, they will soon leave for their jobs, so they are hell bent on making their last days memorable. They must, I am not complaining, a happy face makes me happy. One of my batch mates regularly does the same, the facebook posts, and I absolutely love them, he is adorable guy and his posts are full of little things which we miss in our daily routine, which he doesn't and he puts it so articulately that you cannot but appreciate him and his spirit. 

Another cannot-be-forgotten enormously happy moment was the screening of Andaz Apna Apna in the campus auditorium. I apologize that all my recent posts have had their own overdose of films, can't help it, it is my work nowadays like I mentioned in the previous post. So there was a very large number of people who came to see the movie. After the interval, I got lost into the movie just like everyone around me, though students were smiling, laughing, screaming, hooting, clapping, jumping in their seats from the very start. Very few movies have that persona and poignancy that binds people together in similar emotions. Andaz Apna Apna was one of them, I was smiling like a lunatic on the stupid jokes and situations and reactions of the characters, the movie had the simplicity and charm that can be explained into the innocence and innocuousness of the characters . When the movie ended, everywhere around, still stood smiling faces.

These moments go into my word document and what follows is the list which routinely gives me a reason to make entries. A few days back, I along with my classmate were talking about what makes us happy and the list was made (no particular order). I do not why and how the conversation started, but it culminated into something very precious to both of us. The contributions also include my friend's another friends'.

• Smell of mud during rains
• Travelling to new places
• A whole day at Crossword Book Store
• Dancing at a party with a friend who matches your lunacy
• Drunk friends declaring their love for you
• Running with a purpose
• Jogging with music in ears
• Swimming 
• Rain bath
• Seeing people actually in love
• An innocent, genuine smile on face other than yours
• A thank you hug
• Scooter ride, music, wind
• Old friends
• Beach
• Losing weight
• Watermelon, Lassi, Icecream, Chaat
• Meeting a person with the same opinion about a song/ movie/ book
• Two people sharing a smile across a distance
• Movie that makes you cry
• Hanging out with your favorite teacher
• Starting the day with a beautiful song and keeping that smile for the entire day
• Taking an unplanned sudden trip/ outing
• Losing track of time in the library

These were by my friend Shikha (Click and read, she writes really well) and her friend - 

• Sipping tea in tiny plastic cups or kullads while watching the sun go down.
• Happiness is meeting new people, travelling to new places and new countries. Happiness is when the travel is sponsored :D 
• Feel of a new dress , especially if its gifted is happiness
• Happiness is a full body spa (Ahaaaaaaaa)
• Happiness is an aimless conversation
• Happiness is when your best friend sends you more I-love-yous than your boyfriend :D
• Double seat cycle ride with Chuddy-buddy is happiness
• Drunk dancing is happiness
• Beach side shack with a nice sleep and the sea breeze singing lullaby is happiness
• Meeting someone new who makes you feel like the connect is ages old is happiness
• Guitar, empty terrace and jamming session is happiness
• Friends , long drives at 3 AM is happiness
• The glint of pride in mummy papa’s eyes is happiness
• Fighting with siblings
• Spending time with your pet dog
• Playing candy crush during lectures
• Cuddling next to your beloved is happiness
• A hot cuppa coffee, a good book inside a warm fur blanket in winter is happiness
• Doodling/ Painting is happiness
• Failing in a subject with the entire class
• Sharing tote-udd-gaye smile with classmates
• Pretty feet with anklets
• I’m -here-for you smile, a thank-u hug and a go-nail-it pat
• My best friend giving “champi” ( head massage) when i have a headache is happiness
• The feeling of true love  or something even remotely close to it
• Staring at the star studded sky from amphi theatre
• Happiness is topping in the course without even opening the book !!
• Happiness is comfort hug from your best friend when you are homesick

The list was long, and even if you skimmed it, I bet you found that many were similar for you and also that you can add to the list.

Read, reflect and write. :) :)