Film: NH10
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Darshan Kumaar and Deepti Naval
Directed by Navedeep Singh
Rating: ****
What's it about: NH10 is a thriller directed by Navdeep Singh. Meera (Anushka Sharma) and Arjun (Neil Bhoopalam) are a married working couple living in Gurgaon. One night on her way home from a party, she is attacked by a group of unknown men on a deserted road. She escapes, but the encounter leaves her traumatised. To make up for letting her travel alone that night, Arjun plans a birthday surprise for her out of the city. On one of their stops, they witness a young couple being picked up by a bunch of hoodlums. Arjun steps in, and gets slapped for his efforts. He follows them and soon they witness a brutal killing, which makes them the next target of the six men. And the highway becomes a road to hell.
What's good: Everything comes together in NH10, a great script, a good director and brilliant performances.The first 10 minutes creates a setting for what's about to follow. Then things get bad very, very quickly. Director Navdeep knows how to make the audience uneasy. He uses the heartlands to set the tone and the cold blooded characters to make your pulse pound. NH 10 is skillfully crafted and flawlessly (nod to the editor Jabeen Merchant) paced film that gives you the thrill of a horror. You will find yourself feeling increasingly nervous and edgy and there's no respite for either Meera or -- you -- the audience. At one point towards the climax, there is a moment which gives you hope and then suddenly delivers a sucker punch and brings you back to the edge of your seat. This film is rich, quality stuff that raises the bar for the genre of a road film. The biggest plus of Anushka Sharma's brave first production is that it stays true to itself. From the setting to the fights scenes, from the romance to the chase scenes, it's all real. And the scariest part being that this could really happen to you. NH10 works mostly thanks to Anushka, who is terrified and yet inspiring. She is a hero but also a damsel in distress. Darshaan Kumaar is also superb.
What's not: Not a thing.
What to do: It's a neatly constructed nail-biter. Go watch it.
