Highway

There have been a few little cinematic gems portraying life in the developing world in recent years. Add this as one of the best in the genre. And if there is one movie you watch about Nepal to understand its people and their everyday lives, make it Highway. A film that neither exoticizes Nepal for its beautiful landscape nor exploits it for its poverty and civil war, Highway is the most authentic film to portray Nepal in its diversity, hopes and difficulties.

A bus full of people leaves from Eastern Nepal to Kathmandu, the capital. Along the way, they are stopped several times because of bandhs – a form of protests where the highways are blocked and traffic brought to a half. We meet several characters on the ride, each with their own story and urgency to reach Kathmandu on time. A young woman can't decide between her boyfriend and the fiancé who has arrived from the US to marry her (and has been involved in a hit-and-run accident). A Gurkha soldier rushes to his wife in time to try out a fertility potion he's swallowed (not knowing she's kept some secrets from him). A gay man hopes to reunite with his estranged lover; and the bus driver knows the woman he loves may be forced back into prostitution if he doesn't show up with money for her sick child.

The scenes oscillate between the bus ride and their unique and morally confounding stories, deftly using with flashbacks. Using his experience at BBC radio, the director uses on-the-spot sounds complemented by some beautiful camera-work. The bus ride itself serves as a metaphor for this beautiful but impoverished country's emergence from a decade long civil war, its faltering peace process, and the resilience and hopes of its people. Highway is easily the best film from the country to date.

Highway, is the international class Nepali movie directed by Deepak Rauniyar. Before joining movie industry he was a movie critic. His depth study of Nepalese society reflects in the HIGHWAY . Highway is the mix story of Nepalese society's different character, with main story of the Highway's Band (blocked). Great part of the movie is the its story telling . Hollywood class editing and its cinematography makes it a international class Nepalese movie. The movie made on a common problem in Nepal– Nepal Bandh.The unusual road drama centers around an ill-fated journey on a highway from eastern Nepal to Kathmandu, the nation's capital. The movie 'Highway' had created a big buzz and a hype among Nepali youths before its release.

Set among the breathtaking landscapes of Eastern Nepal, HIGHWAY, the first full-length feature of director Deepak Rauniyar, follows the journey of nine characters whose individual stories become accidentally interconnected during an ill-fated bus journey to the capital Kathmandu. The passengers — each of whom urgently needs to be somewhere else – find themselves stranded on the only highway due to an improvised and unlawful strike known as a "bandh". While the passengers work out a resolution to escaping the combustible strike, the film shifts into their psychological and spiritual "bandhs", exploring a situation that many Nepalis are contending with since the end of the bloody 12-year civil conflict. The film is co-produced by acclaimed actor/producer Danny Glover and Emmy® nominated producer Joslyn Barnes for Louverture Films, New York. Dr. Lonim P. Dixit, Dr. Sameer M. Dixit and Mita Hosali are the executive producers of the film.

Highway, a 2014 Indian drama film directed by Imtiaz Ali, takes a unique approach to the kidnapping genre. The film follows Veera, a young woman who is abducted days before her wedding. Rather than succumbing to fear, Veera embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery during her captivity.

The film's strength lies in its unconventional portrayal of the protagonist. Veera's initial trauma gives way to a newfound sense of freedom as she experiences the beauty of the Indian landscape and connects with her abductor, Mahabir, on a deeper level. This unexpected bond challenges societal norms and explores themes of love, loss, and the search for identity.

Alia Bhatt delivers a powerful performance as Veera, capturing her vulnerability and resilience with remarkable depth. Randeep Hooda also shines as Mahabir, portraying a complex character with both brutality and unexpected tenderness. The chemistry between the two leads further enriches the film's emotional core.

Highway is not without its flaws. The narrative occasionally veers into melodrama, and some plot points may seem contrived. However, the film's overall message of finding liberation in unexpected circumstances resonates strongly. The stunning cinematography, coupled with A. R. Rahman's soulful music, creates a visually and aurally captivating experience.

Ultimately, Highway is a thought-provoking film that challenges conventional notions of love, freedom, and the human spirit. It's a journey that stays with you long after the credits roll, prompting reflection on your own perceptions of happiness and the world around you.

What worked: I must say the cinematography stood out amongst the movie's production team. It's commendable and praiseworthy. Deepak is one of those Nepali filmmaker that keeps the hope alive. I loved the multifaceted narrative and the way the characters are connected somehow. This movie presents some of the most popular Nepali artists, and it's good to see them improvise the scenes, and most of them have been fine. The movie has subplots and they are well written making the narrative interesting and engaging. Overall, it's one of those movies that is great for the ambitious project that the movie set to acquire What did not work: I think the length of the movie could have been a bit longer to fit all the characters' story and their climaxes because there were room for improvements and better conclusions. Although it's a unique screenplay as per the Nepali industry, it's still not the complete one for me. If only the movie was more suggestive with added scenes, it would have had the impact that the movie projected to achieve. Final verdict: recommended