VISITOR COLUMN

Have you, as a person, ever felt a compelling desire, not to go back to your origins? 

Have you sensed a strong urge to leave all your 'inner demons’ behind, and break free, even when you know that there is no way ahead? 

You can’t also escape the reality and go further with a game-plan or scheme as you are totally aware of the futility of that exercise! 

A part of you, actually, doesn't want you to move forward! But somewhere halfway, in the journey- between going back and moving forward- you are stuck! 

And you fall in love with that! 

You yearn for that journey to be perpetual, never-ending and in that ceaseless journey, you seek solace! 

You just need yourself to be there-involved in that dream voyage for as long as possible, not for once perturbed or afraid of the consequences... 

You want some more time to breathe, to bask in the moment for one more second of happiness! One more instance of joy... 

You just want to be spend some time on the crazy expedition seeking something, you can't comprehend! 

You simply wish the journey froze, in the present! 

What if that journey involved two contrasting individuals from completely different backgrounds, fighting diverse issues, pitted against each other?

How does it feel to be someone from the uber-upper-class, and how does it feel to live off the edge?

What are the odds that these two extremes strike a common chord? On what kind of dire circumstances?

How would it be if you felt 'susceptible' in the safe confines of your haven, but ‘safe’ with your captor, in unknown dangerous territories?

How will it feel, to be deprived of any sort of love, affection or care for twenty long years, only to develop new, hither-to, unfelt strange emotions with someone you have taken hostage?

Is what you are forced to perceive as freedom, the real 'freedom'? 

Is what you are led to believe as normal, really 'normal'? 

Is what you discern as hostility, actually loneliness and vengeance, spewing out? 

Does something that is forced onto you, account as something to feel 'guilty' or 'shameful' about?

Taking an emotionally charged road trip (which occurs as a consequence of a seemingly violent man accidentally kidnapping an urban girl) as the basic premise, writer-director, Imtiaz Ali attempts to answer almost all of these questions and much more, in his recent film 'Highway'! 

The real test of a scriptwriter/director's prowess is his show of 'versatility'- his ability to keep the dangerous 'genre tag' at bay!  Imtiaz Ali has tried to break out of his 'loud, romantic and commercial' shackles by trying his hand at a honest, 'unhurriedly- simplistic' movie, which moves you with its intense visuals and moments of mesmerizing silence!

At its soul, 'Highway' is Ali's take on 'Stockholm syndrome', which he crafts effectively by conflicting the 'fear' of an abducted girl, with her slowly developing sense of 'freedom' and increasing 'comfort levels' with her kidnapper!  Further,  the captor not knowing that the girl is the daughter of a big-shot and about to get married, and his resorting to a 'do or die' strategy after realizing it, results in a contrasting display of emotions, caught raw on screen! The beautiful bond that the two come to share, is something not to be analyzed or judged, but savored! For one thing, this doesn't fit into the typical 'Stockholm' script like Amarkalam or Raavan, as the hostage here actually doesn't develop any kind of feelings for the captor, but instead senses freedom, when he is around! This makes the script unique and definitely one with lots of potential.

With a constant dark, gritty feel and a state of silent stagnation at many places, the director leaves it to the audience to reflect and ponder on the emotions of the characters, shown on screen! So, essentially, this is not the kind of cinema, which would entertain everyone, but, is certainly the type that will keep you 'hooked'! The director builds the suspense with many tense moments all through, but he doesn't reveal anything till the end! That keeps you guessing on when the eventual will happen; and when it does when you least expect, it does hit you strong and hard! Having said that, few incongruities in screenplay and too much of dark layering in the script does make the viewing experience, a bit strenuous and unappealing at times!

The film, technically, is outstanding! Casting is top-notch and the performances are rock solid!  Alia Bhatt as 'Veera'- the natural performer that she is - turns out to be a revelation throughout!  She manages to portray fear, vulnerability and insecurity even with her face half-covered in the initial parts of the movie, and at times, when she is clowning around with her dangerous captors, she makes it all 'believable' with that naive look of hers, convincing us of the false security, she is bound to feel and express because of extreme upper class 'closed upbringing'! The authentic feelings of claustrophobia, the 'giving up' moments of escape, lack of normal human fears and reactions - all these, bearings of a rich caged girl, flow out from her naturally! Full credit to the script which has brought out her best! Later when she shows traces of real freedom bursting out, even among all that silence, she absolutely nails it! The particular long scene, when she recounts the 'closed, oppressed' nature of the urban society and the 'silent abuse', she had to endure as a child- she comes out unscathed, and convincing! The gleam she gets to her eyes, when she at last finds her dream destination is all 'sheer magic'- you have to see to believe! On the flip side, her monologues sometimes pass off as a bit eccentric!

On the other hand, Randeep Hooda, with his Haryanvi Jat accent, lends tons of credibility to the role of Mahabir Bhati, a violent rustic criminal, who is seemingly ruthless and intensely cynic on the outside! With so many opportune moments to overreact, he delivers an extremely guarded brilliant performance, hiding under dirty clothes and messy looks for almost the entire movie! Eventually, in an emotionally intense scene, when he gets to finally smile, Alia cries and we are caught between them, crying and smiling in joy! And then, there is this surreal scene in the end, when he keeps hesitating to enter a make-shift 'home' with Veera, where we can actually see through his emotions! Finally, when he opens up and weeps in agony, conveying his uncertainties regarding the remains of his humanity, and his motherly emotions for Veera, he makes us wonder why such fine actors are hardly utilized.  You know it’s not just another film for him and you have been treated to something really genuine and honest, when the first credit to appear, after the movie ends is that of the body language consultant!  And add to it, the trivia that, he in order to get into the mood of Mahabir, didn't speak to Alia during the major portion of the shoot, the man has shown, when given a chance, what he is capable of!

Astonishingly marvelous cinematography in pristine beautiful locations and a restrained yet appealing background score are the two concrete pillars of "Highway'! The movie has some insanely splendid visuals, showcasing the beauty of the road highways of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, the six states- through which the lead characters get to travel! The final shots in the valleys and rivers of the Himalayas have to be seen on screen to feel the experience. Well done, and thank you Anil Mehta and his entire crew for all the efforts taken! Rahman gives a scintillating background score which gives lots of space for 'silent' introspection! That is clearly a rarity in Indian cinema, and Rahman defines how it is rightly done! The songs are a rage and perfectly blend in with the narration! 

'Highway' is definitely a triumph for Ali, personally and for Indian cinema as a whole! It engages and awes you with its rich visuals, at the same time leaves you pondering over a lot of sensitive social hypocrisies! It gives you the kind of high, you would get while you are out trekking in Ladakh, sans any sort of artifice, reflecting on the beauty of the terrains and Yes, it pains, because it’s not a fun ride! It’s a trek, but it’s rewarded with wisps of fresh crisp breeze and unusual resplendent sights!

A sort of 'different' high, worth taking the risk of indulging!