Movie Review: Pune Highway

Plot

The storyline of "Pune Highway" is an intriguing mix of suspense, friendship, and unresolved guilt that shapes the lives of its characters. The film unfolds a decade after a traumatic event involving three childhood friends—Pramod Khandelwal (Amit Sadh), Vishnu Saigal (Jim Sarbh), and Nicky (Anuvab Pal)—who witnessed a brutal attack on their friend, Babu Bhonsle (Himanshu Balpandey). Instead of stepping forward to seek justice, they chose silence, which is a decision they continue to grapple with. Fast forward ten years, they are thrown into a murder investigation of Mona (Ketaki Narayan), the daughter of an influential politician, Mansekar (Shishir Sharma). As the plot unfolds, we see how each character handles the implications of their past. Pramod, now in the position of being Mona's guardian, is caught in a whirlwind of emotion as his loyalty is tested. Meanwhile, Vishnu’s character wrestles with moral dilemmas, reconciling his feelings for his friend with the unpleasant truths of his current relationships. The tension escalates as Nicky finds himself tied to the case due to his unresolved issues, particularly involving his ex-girlfriend, Natasha Khandelwal (Manjari Fadnnis), who is also implicated as a suspect. The film promises a gripping narrative of suspense that keeps viewers engaged, punctuated by the chilling discovery of a corpse that sets the tone right at the beginning. However, while the premise is exciting and has great potential, the execution falters at multiple points. Significant backstory elements, especially related to the characters’ guilt and emotional struggles, feel underexplored. Vital plot points appear haphazardly, and the transitions between past and present lack the smoothness needed to enhance the story's depth. Instead of a seamless narrative flow, viewers experience a bumpy ride filled with unanswered questions that could have enriched the story. Despite these flaws, the film retains enough suspense to keep the audience guessing about the murderer until the end. The final act seems overly drawn out, presenting an exposition-heavy climax that doesn't quite deliver the emotional payoff and thrill that could captivate viewers through its conclusion. Overall, while "Pune Highway" begins with a compelling premise of friendship intertwined with crime, it struggles to maintain a coherent and fully fleshed narrative arc, leaving the viewer wanting more engagement with its characters’ journeys.

Acting

The performances in "Pune Highway" add layers to the film, with varying impacts on the overall delivery. Amit Sadh, portraying Pramod Khandelwal, demonstrates impressive versatility, immersing himself in a character riddled with guilt and internal conflict. He captures the essence of a man torn between loyalty and the haunting shadows of his past. Each scene he lights up feels impactful, displaying a range of emotions that resonate with the audience. Yet, despite his strong portrayal, Pramod's character development leaves something to be desired, as glimpses of potential are often obscured by a lack of narrative focus on his backstory. Jim Sarbh impressively brings depth to Vishnu's character, intricately balancing the roles of a loyal friend and moral outcast. His nuanced performance effectively conveys the weight of his character's internal struggles, especially as he confronts the consequences of the group's past inaction. Sarbh’s ability to express vulnerability adds to the emotional complexity of the film, making his character one of the key highlights of the narrative. Anuvab Pal, who provides comic relief, injects humor into the otherwise tense atmosphere, although his portrayal comes with inconsistencies that sometimes detract from the authenticity of his role. Although intended to lighten the mood, his character could use better consistency in personality traits and motivations to enhance audience engagement. Manjari Fadnnis brings a competent performance as Natasha Khandelwal. She effectively portrays her character's tension-filled connection to the main characters while maintaining an air of intrigue as a prime suspect. While she could shine even further with deeper explorations of her character, the scenes she captures are well done and emotionally resonant. Finally, Sudeep Modak as Inspector Prabhakar Pethe delivers a strong performance, embodying the characteristics of a determined investigator. His presence adds weight to the unfolding murder mystery, and he effectively interacts with the main characters through the investigative process, further driving the plot's stakes. Overall, the ensemble cast brings commendable performances to "Pune Highway", elevating many of the film’s strengths while also exposing our desires for richer character arcs and deeper explorations of their interconnections and motivations.

Cinematography

The cinematography in "Pune Highway," helmed by the cinematographer, crafts a visual landscape that mirrors the film's dark and suspenseful themes. The utilization of lighting, shadow, and composition effectively enhances the tension that permeates the narrative. Opening with the stark image of a lifeless corpse sets a grim tone for the film, foreboding the darker elements of the story that follow. This initial visual invokes an emotional response, engaging the audience right from the start. As the film transitions between different settings, the cinematographer skillfully uses camera angles and movement to support the evolving mood. The claustrophobic framing during intimate conversations among the three friends hints at their complex relationships and the emotions brewing just beneath the surface. Contrastingly, wider angles during scenes involving the broader societal implications of the murder hint at the political undercurrents that envelop the entire narrative. The color palette plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s atmosphere. The predominant use of darker tones, particularly during the scenes linked to the murder investigation, reinforces a sense of foreboding and unease, while softer hues creep into scenes that feature moments of friendship and reminiscence. This clever use of color elevates the storytelling, allowing viewers to viscerally feel the emotional highs and lows experienced by the characters. Moreover, the film successfully utilizes depth of field to maintain focus on characters when conveying their inner turmoil. Close-up shots emphasize expressions of anxiety, guilt, and tension, prompting the audience to connect with the characters' emotional states. This technique is particularly effective during confrontations when past traumas resurface, creating an intimate atmosphere that draws viewers deeper into the story. However, while the cinematography merits praise for its ability to encapsulate the film's tone, there are moments when the visual storytelling feels weighed down by uneven editing. Certain sequences appear choppy, impacting the smooth flow of key scenes that should engage the viewer. In moments where suspense is building, disjointed camera transitions disrupt the heightened tension. In summary, "Pune Highway" showcases competent cinematography that significantly contributes to overall experience. Through effective lighting, color palettes, and thoughtful camera positioning, the film creates a palpable atmosphere that enhances viewers' emotional engagement. However, the impact of these visuals is occasionally undercut by uneven editing choices that detract from the film’s overall narrative flow.

Direction

Director Rahul daCunha and co-writer Bugs Bhargava Krishna, adapting their one-room play for the cinematic medium, demonstrate an ambitious vision in "Pune Highway." The transition from stage to screen is fraught with challenges, and while the film captures the core of the original work, it struggles with pacing, character development, and storytelling depth. The direction aims to balance the nuances of friendship with the gravity of crime, yet this balance often feels disrupted throughout the viewing experience. One of the film's strengths lies in its ability to establish a distinct atmosphere that draws the audience into a world marked by the weight of past decisions. The directors successfully build tension, especially as the investigation unfolds, inviting viewers to speculate and engage with the unfolding mystery. The moments of revelation and doubt among the characters are particularly well crafted, reflecting the confusion and conflict inherent to their friendship. That said, the direction occasionally falters in maintaining narrative cohesion. The shifts between timelines can feel jarring rather than fluid, leading to confusion about the characters' motivations and emotional journeys. Several impactful scenes run the risk of becoming muddled as the storytelling oscillates between the past and present without adequately grounding the audience. Essential nuances, particularly related to the characters' guilt and their past inaction, remain vastly unexplored, leaving viewers with a desire for more depth and clarity. The direction attempts to incorporate humor, yet the comedic elements sometimes clash with the serious tone of the narrative. While moments of levity are appreciated, they occasionally disrupt the overall emotional resonance of the scenes. The tonal inconsistencies dilute the build-up of tension, weakening the impact of both comedic and dramatic moments. The climactic moments, which should serve as a culmination of the built-up tension, end up feeling overstretched and laden with exposition. The choices made here render the resolution less impactful than intended, as it seems designed to explain rather than to immerse the audience further. The directors' attempts at delivering a twisted conclusion that surprises viewers intermittently succeed but more often than not, lack sufficient build-up to fully realize the emotional and thematic stakes. In conclusion, while daCunha and Krishna show promise in their direction of "Pune Highway," the film ultimately feels like it is grappling with an identity crisis. The ambition of adapting a play into a multifaceted murder mystery is apparent, but the execution falters at key storytelling junctures. The lack of depth in character exploration and uneven pacing detract from what could have been an engaging thriller. With clearer direction and more focused character development, the film could have fully embraced its gripping potential.

Conclusion

"Pune Highway" emerges as a film that possesses immense potential yet falls short of delivering a fully compelling cinematic experience. With a promising plot centered around friendship, guilt, and a murder investigation, the film attempts to weave an engaging tale. However, the uneven storytelling, lackluster character development, and occasional pacing issues hinder its impact. The plot's primary strength lies in its ability to create suspense, keeping viewers guessing until the final act. However, the execution suffers from inconsistencies, especially when essential backstories are glossed over. Major character motivations and entangled relationships struggle to find clarity, leaving the audience yearning for deeper emotional connections. In terms of performances, the cast demonstrates notable talent, with standout portrayals from Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh. Their characters’ journeys carry emotional weight, yet they ultimately crave more exploration to leave a lasting impression. The humorous elements, while well-intended, sometimes clash with the film's more serious themes, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience. Cinematography adds ambiance and atmosphere to the film, effectively highlighting the suspense. Still, uneven editing impacts the flow of key scenes, detracting from engagement. The direction, aiming for a nuanced exploration of guilt and morality, struggles to maintain clarity amid shifting timelines, leading to a film that feels inconsistent in tone and execution. Ultimately, "Pune Highway" offers an introspective look at friendships shadowed by unresolved guilt, framed within the context of a murder mystery. While the ambition behind the storytelling and direction is commendable, the film doesn’t fully realize its potential as a gripping thriller. One can only hope for future works from daCunha and Krishna that harness their vision more effectively, with character arcs that promise depth and a narrative that delivers a more captivatingly cohesive experience. In the end, "Pune Highway" serves as a testament to both the complexities of friendship and the consequences of inaction, even if the film itself leaves much to be desired.