Review of NH 10

Cast: Anushka Sharma (Meera), Neel Bhoopalam (Arjun), Darshan Kumar (Satbir), Deepti Nawal (Sarpanch)

Directed by: Navdeep Singh

Produced by: Vikramaditya Motwane, Anurag Kashyap, Vikas Bahl, Anushka Sharma, Sunil Lulla, Krishika Lulla

Written by: Sudip Sharma

Music: Anirban Chakraborty, Sanjeev-Darshan, Ayush Shrestha, Savera Mehta, Samira Koppikar

Cinematography: Anil Mehta

Edited by: Pooja Ladha Surti

Production Company: Phantom Films, Clean Slate Films

Distributed by: Eros International

Release Date: 13^th March, 2015

Duration: 115minutes

Language: Hindi

NH 10, a thriller film by Navdeep Singh. Just last month we saw badlapur of Varun Dhawan and here is Anushka’s badlapur story – NH 10. A great performance by Anushka. This is also a debut of Anushka as a producer. This movie is not a light-hearted entertaining movie, but definitely, it is going to touch your heart. It might leave you disturbed, make you wonder, why all these has to happen at all. Every now and then when we flip newspapers in the morning, the newspaper tells the story of honour killings in our country. Honour killing is a brutal act. I often think, how can one’s own parents or a sibling can be reason of their murder. We as a society say that we are progressive, but is it really so? What progressiveness we are speaking about, we are still stuck in dualism: either-or, win-lose, me-you, us-them. I say that I adore my religion, but I have no space to accept others’ religion. So much engrossed in ‘me-ness’ and ‘me-right-attitude’ that we are not able to look at other’s right. In this 21^st century also, we have so many honour killings in our country, just because one chooses his or her life partner going against the wishes of parents or so called societal norms/ traditions. NH 10 is a film, which shows, how a couple accidentally becomes witness to an honour killing and then what follows form the story.

Meera and Arjun

Anushka plays the role of Meera, a high profile corporate executive, and wife of Arjun (Neel Bhoopalam – Serial 24 fame – Arjun’s profession is not clear but appears to be influential). Initial frames of the movie shows Meera and Arjun attending a high profile party. Meera has to leave the party due to urgent office work – a product launch, and is attacked by a group of men but survives the same. Arjun get a licensed gun for Meera (with the influence of his friendship with DIG officer) hoping that this is good for Meera’s self-defense. Meera is traumatized after the incident. Arjun understands her trauma and wants to take her for a holiday on her birthday.

And that is how, the story of NH 10 begin. Arjun and Meera start their getaway trip by road from Gurgaon – National Highway 10. Arjun has booked a private villa for them. When they stop at a road side dhaba for some food, they witness a young girl and her husband being picked up by a bunch of goons. Arjun tries to intervene, and stops the man clutching girl’s hair, but is told that she is his sister. Arjun persists and gets slapped by the girl’s brother Satbir (Darshan Kumar – Mary Kom movie fame). Enraged Arjun chases them in spite of Meera asking him not to do so, absolutely unaware of the danger which lies ahead. Arjun just wanted to teach the villagers a lesson.

 

Terrified Meera and Arjun

What happens thereafter? How Arjun and Meera’s journey for relaxation turn out to be tumultuous and turbulent? What happens to them, when they become witness to this young couple’s honour killing? How do they respond, when they find themselves in the middle of a land where their perception about safety, law, rightness do not seem to be valid? How do Arjun and Meera deal with the strange happenings? What does Meera do when she finds herself alone and helpless? Do the lawmakers stand by Meera? You might be wondering, why did I mention that NH 10 is a badlapur story of Meera, you have to watch it.  

Anushka is brilliant, and her every transformation is so well executed – be it her initial confident corporate executive to terrified to pleading for help to vengeful. She has hit the bulls’ eye. Neel, I loved him so much in serial 24, and so felt that he could have brought a bit more depth to the character of Arjun. Darshan is very convincing. Deepti Nawal and Ravi Jhankal are also very good. Missed the song “Chil Gaye Naina” on screen!

NH 10 generated lot of pain within me. When will we be able to enhance our tolerance to the diversity?

Rating: 3.5/5 (Good+)