Highway

Highway is a 2014 Indian drama film written and directed by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film stars Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles. Screened in the Panorama section of the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival,the film released worldwide on 21 February 2014.
The film outlines the story of a young woman who is kidnapped before her wedding and held for ransom wherein she develops Stockholm syndrome towards her kidnapper.The film is based on the episode of the same name from the Zee TV anthology series Rishtey, starring Aditya Srivastava and Kartika Rane,which was also written and directed by Imtiaz Ali.
Highway is a problematic film. Elements in it have great beauty, starting with Anil Mehta’s cinematography. There is AR Rahman’s soulful music, especially Patakha Guddi, and above all, Alia Bhatt’s performance. There are two scenes, one a long monologue, in which she lays bare her soul and becomes utterly broken. It’s deeply moving. Her honesty and courage, both as actor and character, is exhilarating.

The story begins on the eve of the wedding of Veera Tripathi (Alia Bhatt), the daughter of a rich business tycoon. She is at a Gas Station by the highway with her fiancé when she is abducted. The gang who kidnaps her panics when they find out that her father has links in the government. However, Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda), one of her abductors, is willing to do whatever it takes to see this through. They continuously move to different cities, to avoid being tracked by police. As the days go by, Veera finds peace in her bondage to the point that she confides in him of her troubled childhood. Her fear of abduction is taken over by a sense of freedom.

At one point while crossing a check post, the police forcefully search the truck, but Veera, surprisingly even to herself, hides. Veera confesses to Mahabir about her home where her uncle molested her, a fact which was hushed up by her mother. She concludes that she loves the journey and doesn't want to go back to her life. Mahabir can't help but care for Veera and his anger fades slowly, and he decides to let her go. Veera refuses and insists on staying with Mahabir. They both take shelter in a hilltop house. The following morning, a shootout starts as police has tracked them down. Mahabir is shot dead on the spot, while a shocked Veera is returned to her parents. Disturbed by the incident, Veera tells her family the truth about her abusive uncle and her desire of not living with them anymore. It ends with Veera shown working and living on a hill station on her own, with memories of the days she spent with Mahabir.

The ever-dependable Randeep Hooda delivers a solid performance. 
A measure of his confidence in his craft is provided by the restraint that he brings to the characterisation, never seeking to get ahead of the plot.
Alia Bhatt is a revelation. She responds to the demands of the role with all the skill at her disposal, nailing both the vulnerability and the tenacity of a harried but spirited ingénue. 
But that is not to say that Highway is anywhere near perfect. 
But doubtless, 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. 
Highway dishes out a trip that is definitely worth the price of the ticket.