TheReviewMonk
Highway backdrop

Highway

21 February 2014Hindi1h 41m
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 24 scored reviews · 9 not rated

Alia Bhatt shines in a visually rich but narratively adrift road drama.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Alia Bhatt's standout performance
  • Criticised: Meandering, indulgent screenplay

Audience

User score 6.8 out of 10 from 6 ratings, Mixed
Read 4 audience reviews ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 29 critics are saying

Critical reception for Highway is mixed-to-positive, with most reviewers acknowledging it as an unconventional, ambitious departure from mainstream Bollywood fare. Alia Bhatt's performance is the most consistently celebrated element across reviews, with several critics calling it extraordinary or marvelous, while the film's visuals, landscapes, and A.R. Rahman's music also draw frequent praise. The most common criticism is a meandering, indulgent screenplay that many felt lacked the narrative drive to sustain its runtime, with some noting its limited appeal beyond urban, multiplex audiences. A number of reviewers found the film rewarding despite its flaws, though a vocal minority considered the script too incoherent or unbelievable to fully succeed.

How the 24 scores spread

9 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 29 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (33)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Firstpost

    Film review ·

    There is so much to appreciate in Highway and if it can goad other commercial filmmakers to take notice and also dare to try something new, we'll all be richer for it.
  2. Top critic

    Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    Ponderous enough to encourage a snooze but also with its rewarding side-effects. Needless to emphasise, Veera lingers on in the memory. And Alia Bhatt's performance is nothing short of extraordinary, especially her solo stanzas of dialogue, executed in long takes.
  3. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Highway is a must watch as much for what it is as for what it isn't. It is not a typical romantic drama, nor an average love story. It is a road movie with a difference.
  4. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Imtiaz skillfully creates moments that are at once, tender, funny and fragile. But my problem was that I simply didn't buy into the story.
  5. Top critic

    IBNLive

    Film review ·

    The film - a brave experiment on Ali's part, who uses long stretches of silence, improv dialogues, and characters over plot to drive the narrative - doesn't necessarily work. It's meandering and indulgent in many parts, tiring you out well before it's over. A beautiful mess, but a mess nonetheless.
  6. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    I wanted more because it comes from a director who knows, or at least has known how to transfuse exuberance in love, and joy in sheer movement. 'Highway' is pretty but stagey.
  7. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    Highway is a kind of film which might polarize the views again (hopefully this time to a lesser degree than Rockstar). Some might feel the minimalist treatment and a bit of unbelievability of this film quite uninteresting. But this approach stands on the other side of the cinematic range that a filmmaker like Imtiaz Ali employs in his film. We don't get to see these kinda of films, usually, in the plethora of blockbuster films that are made of at present (which are fun too in its own way!) The director has taken this story and has stamped his own signature style over it, but with the difference.
  8. Daily Bhaskar

    Film review ·

    ...a deeply dissatisfying film whose very incompleteness lends a sense of beauty to the narrative. Highway is a sprawling stretch of splendour, created by a director who shoots every frame in a painter's vein. Layered, luminous and evocative this is a world that M.F Hussain would have created if he were a filmmaker.
  9. DNA India

    Film review ·

    A daring attempt by Imtiaz, a glorious showcase of India (better than any Incredible India campaign) and a superlative performance by Alia Bhatt makes Highway a must-watch.
  10. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    The film's powerful, yet deliciously subtle script (Imtiaz Ali) attempts to break down the mental walls surrounding our perception and preconceived urban notions of safety, happiness and love. Yes, this film is not about pandering to what you think should happen next, or how one should react under certain circumstances. The script takes its own course: sometimes rough, sometimes uncomfortable, but always exciting. And therein lies the beauty of the film. The most beautiful journeys are almost always the unplanned and unanticipated ones.
  11. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    Highway makes for the kind of cinema we need, perhaps not something we entirely deserve. Even if you aren't moved by its unhurried simplicity, or do not agree with this review, I challenge you to resist an overwhelming urge to rush out after dark hoping to get kidnapped (or simpler, just take off) to the foothills of the Himalayas. In that itself, is the battle won by a film that strives for little more.
  12. Yahoo

    Film review ·

    It breaks your heart when you hear the sound of the gun pierce the tranquil and peace of the surrounding. You almost hear a silent tear roll down as we watch with bated breath. This Imtiaz Ali film deserves not just loud applause but a standing ovation.
  13. TimeOut

    Film review ·

    Even though not free of shortcomings, Highway is Imtiaz Ali's most honest, personal film and, hopefully, the beginning of a chapter in his career that will be dictated more by craft and intention and less by commerce and entertainment. Long silences punctuate conversations, shots of staggeringly beautiful locations linger, the pace remains unhurried, and actors surrender to their characters – these are elements you yearn to experience in a mainstream movie, and the film takes you there.
  14. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    Highway is not an easy ride. But it offers fresh breezes and new sights. At times, Highway feels like an unending Bharat darshan, a long look at suffering souls through several deserts and eucalyptus trees. But some meandering is its only flaw. Watch it for its cathartic creativity, for colours akin to Iranian palettes, for sound design where melting qawwalis, chirruping crickets and a screeching train make layers of noise - for that shot where Veera rests her head on a pillow of water.
  15. Wogma

    Film review ·

    It is not new, it is not profound, but it held me glued - that freeing your spirit can show you how you are in charge and yet, to free your spirit, you need to take charge.
  16. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Highway isn't merely concerned with cataloguing the virginal, versatile landscapes of Northern India. Often it's the only ray of cheer to offset the grimness concealed within two wounded souls. Comfort not chemistry is what outlines the attraction between Alia and Randeep as they amble along higher altitudes of make believe. Yes, they could be heroes. But just for one day.
  17. The Navhind Times

    Film review ·

    Director Imtiaz Ali steps out of his comfort zone to make a film that attempts to stray away from the weekly Bollywood fare. The result is mixed, while you appreciate the attempt, the script doesn't have enough fire-power to push it in to the big league. Nevertheless, here is a film that either you might love or 'not like it so much'. There will be a few reservations but chances of detesting it are slim and not many films fall in that bracket these days.
  18. India Today

    Film review ·

    Watch Highway for Alia and Randeep if you must. For a two-film-old, Alia's screen presence is incredible. She gets every nuance, every energetic burst and trauma about Veera just perfect. If there is an element of the fragile about her beauty, Ali has tapped it well.
  19. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Highway whips up all the ingredients required for an intriguing film but goes wrong as a whole. It is bold subject handled flimsily and doesn't come close to believable. There is excessive heavy handedness in the screenplay and somehow the effortless ease that signifies the beauty of Imtiaz's films is absolutely missing from it. There is far too much of incoherence in the screenplay to bear and though it tried its hand at adding varied hues to multiple layers of the story, one cannot disagree to the fact that it is only Rahman's divine music and the pristine cinematography that works here. It left me baffled and numb especially because I expect better from Ali. It is heartbreakingly mediocre and I am settling for ratings which translate the same.

From our readers

Audience reviews (4)

6 ratings · user score 6.8

  1. anuragFeb 2014
    4/10

    अगर आप मर्द हैं और किसी लड़की को अग़वा करते हैं, तो आपके लिए पुलिस से ज्यादा ख़तरनाक़ वही लड़की है। जी हाँ, हाइवे देख कर आ रहा हूँ। समझ नहीं आ रहा है कि आलिया भट्ट की एक्टिंग और ख़ूबसूरती की तरीफ़ पहले करूँ या फ़िल्म की मीनमेख पहले निकालूँ। बहुत बोरिंग लगी मुझे, एक लाइन की स्टोरी पर 2 घंटे की फ़िल्म बना डाली। टाइटल हाइवे का भी कोई खास सम्बन्ध नहीं लगा फ़िल्म से। रणदीप हूडा ने ऐसा कोई काम नहीं किया था कि आलिया को उससे प्यार हो जाता। यह शिक़ायत मुझे दर्जनों फ़िल्मों से होती है कि प्यार का विकास तर्कसंगत तरीके से नहीं दिखाते। बस, डायरेक्टर हुक़्म देता है कि अब तुम्हें इससे प्यार हो जाना चाहिए, और प्यार हो जाता है। शुरुआत से ही, जब लड़की अग़वा होने के बाद भागने की क़ोशिश करती है, तो पहले सीढ़ी से किसी चीज़ को खनखनाते हुए गिराती है, फिर नीचे एक और चीज़ को जोर की आवाज़ के साथ गिराती है। पढ़ी-लिखी-समझदार लड़की में इतनी अकल नहीं थी कि छुप कर भागते समय आवाज़ नहीं होने देनी चाहिए। और फिर फ़ैक्टरी में मीलों भाग कर फिर वापस आ जाना। भई, कोई भी कारखाना कितना भी बड़ा हो, ट्रेन की रेल भी हो, तो क्या बाहर जाने का रास्ता नहीं मिलेगा और कोई दूसरा नहीं मिलेगा जो मदद कर सके? किसी के भी बैकग्राउंड को ढंग से नहीं बताया है इसलिए उनका पर्सनेलिटी प्रोफ़ाइल नहीं बन पाया और उनके मिजाज़ों और मंशाओं को समझने की सम्भावना नहीं रही। जिससे फ़िल्म के साथ जुड़ नहीं पाए। जो हीरो शायद 3 ख़ून कर चुका हो, अग़वा करना जिसका पेशा हो, वो माँ का नाम आते ही बच्चा बन जाए, लड़की को बिना फ़िरौती के जाने दे, बाद को आँसुओं से फूट-फूट के रोए, सब फोकट की नौटंकी लगा। चाइल्ड एब्यूज़ का वाक़या सुनाते समय हॉल में एकदम सन्नाटा था, दर्शक डूब गए थे आलिया की अदाकारी में। बहुत ही प्रभावी सीन रहा वो। और अंत में "उन" अंकल का उल्टा आलिया पर चिल्लाना, उसको मैड कहना, बाकी लोगों का कोई प्रतिक्रिया न होना, बाप का भी दोस्त के द्वारा अपनी बेटी के बचपन से होते रहे बलात्कार पर कोई प्रतिक्रिया न होना, आलिया के फ़ियांसी का होने वाली बीवी के सालहा बलात्कार के बारे में सुनकर भी बलात्कारी को आराम से वॉकआउट करने देगा, इन सबने रहीसों के स्टीरियोटाइप को मज़बूत ही किया है कि उनमें नैतिकता, भावनाओं के लिए कोई जगह नहीं होती है, बस पैसा उनका ख़ुदा होता है। आलिया को कैसे मालूम कि बचपन में रणदीप कैसा दिखता था, तो बाद को उसकी कल्पना में एकदम वही रणदीप कैसे आ पाया जैसा वो बचपन में था। जब एक गोली पीठ में और एक सीधे सीने पर, दिल पर लगी हो, तो इंसान उतने सेकंड भी ज़िन्दा नहीं रह पाएगा जितनी देर रणदीप ज़िन्दा रहा, ऐसा मुझे लगता है। रहमान साब के गाने फ़िलर जैसे थे। फ़िल्म में फ़िट किए थे, लेकिन कोई गाना फ़िल्म के सन्दर्भ में अपनी छाप नहीं छोड़ता है। इम्तियाज़ अली की पिछली फ़िल्म रॉकस्टार को मैंने 4 बार देखा था हॉल में। ये फ़िल्म एक बार देखने लायक़ भी नहीं है, सिवाय आलिया के, जो इस फ़िल्म की ज़बरदस्त खोज रही। एक डॉक्यूमेंटरी जैसी है, लेकिन डॉक्यूमेंटरी में कोई थीम एलीमेंट होता है जो इसमें नदारद है।

  2. NagmaMar 2014
    7/10

    The film brings alive the spirit of freedom which lies unexplored among all of us. You may not be able to completely relate with the extremely adventurous passion of the protagonist but it would definitely bring you to a dilemma of it being unrealistic or rational. Alia, born and brought up in a rich household gets kidnapped by Randeep (a truck driver) and thereafter a new life begins for Alia.The cinematography is splendid and it proves that there are indeed so many beautiful places in our country lying unexplored. Randeep Hooda really deserves accolades for playing his character as real as one can imagine. His fluency with the colloquial Rajasthani posed with his strong expressions have contributed a lot in building the storyline. Alia gives her best shot.She has actually grown leaps and bounds in her performance level in her second film itself which is quite commendable especially at such a young age. The film has its' share of "hard to believe" sequences, however Imtiaz Ali has tried his level best to club it with the harsh realities that prevail all around us. It is quite interesting and emotional to see how Alia and Randeep from extremely different sections of the society understand and empathize with each other's sorrows. I would describe "Highway" as a journey which takes off as an adventure and ends with a life's goal.Each one of us has that "pataka guddi" within us to introspect and realize that life is very short and we cannot wait for any miracle to happen all by itself. So, follow your heart and enjoy every small happiness that life has given us........and who knows you may find the ultimate solace at the end of your "Highway".

  3. 7/10

    Highway. It is most personal work of Imtiaz Ali. He deliberately cuts down the frills from the execution and focus only on the characters and their feeling about themselves. Highway's strength lies in the authentic characterization and right casting of its lead characters. Randeep Hooda as goon from Haryana and Alia Bhatt as daughter from a super-rich family from Delhi look, feel, talk and act like that they are wearing their characters on their souls. Their acting in each and every frame is up to the mark. Being a road movie, Highway succeeds in taking you to a beautiful journey that does not want to end. But unfortunately, screenplay is predictable and does not have too many surprises to keep you engaged. I am going with good 7 out of 10 for Highway. Watch it for Alia and Randeep's performance, watch it for Imtiaz Ali's understanding of his characters. Watch it for a beautiful journey but do not care about the destination.

  4. divesh yadavMar 2018
    10/10

    No words to explain for this movie......

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