By Narendra Puppala Film: Highway (Streaming on aha) Duration 163 minutes
Director: K.V.Guhan, Cast: Anand Devarakonda, Manasa Radhakrishnan, Sayiami Kher and Abhishek Banerjee IANS Rating IANS Rating: **
Highway rides are expected to be swift, thrilling and smooth.On the other hand, Telugu movie ‘Highway’ is a master cinematographer KV Guhan’s 3rd directorial venture in Telugu is a disappointment in all three areas.It’s interesting in patches, but mostly boring, the film may still appeal to the most ardent fans of the “cat and mouse” serial killers.
The film’s premise is based on an infamous woman-killer who is a determined female police officer in Hyderabad.”Highway” shifts the scene when a girl from the village is caught in his arms, with her new love in the middle of their pursuit.Although it starts off with the promise of an engaging thriller, the film winds with a very unexpected conclusion.
Vishnu a talented photographer in Vizag is set to embark on an assignment to cover weddings in Bengaluru.While on the journey, he and his friend help of Tulasi, the village belle from Amalapuram, in search of her father in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
They say they will drop her off at Kalyandurg and from there she can catch an auto to Mangalore.Though it’s a puzzle about the reason she isn’t able to travel with them until Bengaluru which is nearer to the destination.
Parallel to this, in the city of Hyderabad, female cop Asha Bharat is on the hunt of the serial killer who is constantly leaving cigarettes and tyre tracks at crime locations.
Das who is played by Abhishek Banerjee is the smouldering antagonist who is constantly looking for potential victims as he continues to whiz around in an old ambulance and right in the police’s eyes.
The female cop is constantly snarling, and muttering the words b ****** and F words to express her anger and determination.
How Tulasi finds herself in Das her clutches, Vishnu tracks her down and eventually helps her out, and forms the core of “Highway”.
The cast of Anand Devarakonda, Manasa Radhakrishnan, Sayiami Kher and Abhishek Banerjee try their best be a good representation of their roles.
Anand Devarakonda as Vishnu, and Manasa as Tulasi appear naturally uncompromising and stoic as an unassuming couple who are beginning to realize their attraction.
Sayiami Kher is passable as the female cop who is intent on finding the serial killer.Abhishek Banerjee with an unending sneer and a wrinkly face is the villain in the film that is also his Telugu debut.
The technical proficiency of Director K.V.Guhan is able to bring in with his cinematography is not enough to improve the weak storyline.
There are instances when director make it simple for an antagonist to be killed and escape.
In addition various inconsistencies in the storyline contribute to the overall insufficiencies of the film.
As one would expect Guhan is able to handle the camera with elegance as Simon King’s music score helps keep the story pace.
For fans of thriller films who are willing to ignore the small details”Highway,” despite its plot flaws, might still be a fascinating to watch on a weekend.
pvn/uk
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