Meera (Anushka Sharma) and Arjun (Neil Bhoopalam) is a married couple from Bangalore and lives in Gurgaon. One ill-fated night, Meera returns from a party alone and witnesses the ugly side of the city for the first time when few stalkers attack her.
However, she escapes the worse but otherwise bold and independent Meera gets traumatized post the shocking incident. To cheer her up, Arjun decides to take her on a holiday trip. Arjun and Meera are on their way to a private villa but one wrong turn puts them into a deep trouble.
Film: NH10
Director: Navdeep Singh
Cast: Anushka Sharma, Neil Bhoopalam, Deepti Naval, Darshan Kumar and Ravi Jhankal
Rating: *** and 1/2
The couple stops on a Highway ‘dhaba' for having lunch but they witness some fearless youths lead by Satbir (Darshan Kumaar) picking up a young girl. Arjun tries to oppose them but faces backlash. Rigorously irked Arjun follows them against Meera's wishes but his attempt to teach them a lesson makes his and Meera's holiday turn into a relentless horror story, leading to an unending struggle.
What would drive NH10 to success?
Right from the first frame, director Navdeep Singh focuses on the gloomy side of Delhi- NCR. Under the city's beauty lie the haunted and terrible elements that can ruin the attraction and NH10 clearly shows that.
Director Navdeep Singh has left no stone unturned to make NH10 as cruel, brutal and hard-hitting as the real life incidents are. There is provocation, fear and tension that builds slowly and disturbs your mind and stays there for long.
While the scenes are moving, the movie critically touches the social and insane issue of honour killing and presents the tiny mindset of Khap Panchayat. A scene where Ammaji (Deepti Naval), the ‘Sarpanch' of a village and the surprise element of the film, slaps her daughter-in-law and favours her daughter's assassination for inter-caste marriage shakes you from inside.
What gives the movie more depth are stars' performances. Anushka Sharma portrays the role of a strong and bold woman and surprises us in every part with her performance.
Neil Boopalam represents the one who rebels against the bad things happening around and isn't ready to remain silent. Neil plays the character with nuance and impresses us all.
Darshan Kumaar as a terrifying goon shows his different shades and is brilliant. Deepti Naval in her short cameo gives a powerful performance.
Path-barriers for NH10
The tough issue, however, is raised with courage, but movie sometimes looks more dramatised and lacks originality like why did a girl-in-trouble seek the help from Meera despite having many other people around?
How Anushka Sharma remains tidy after being dragged on soil, climbing a massive rock and running on the deserted land? Also despite being bruised and punched in the stomach, how can she effortlessly fight back?
How it can be that a village, which sleeps soon after the sunset, sets a stage show post midnight for condemning inter-caste marriages? Such questions remain answered while they fade down the effect that the movie tries to leave upon us.
India TV's recommendation:
Despite these loopholes, NH10 makes up for a riveting drama. It's also a perfect time to watch this movie considering what is happening around us. Everyday we hear hundreds of crime stories. Such ruffians prevail in our societies who have no fear of law and killing some for petty issue isn't a big deal for them.
Post the 2012 gang-rape case, and now when it's recalled again through the controversial BBC documentary, NH10 is a novice attempt to stop such violence against women.
There is an urgent need for men to get involved in bringing an end to the violence against women and criticize it loud and clear every time it takes place until it ends in the end.
Three and a half stars for NH10. It's a disturbing tale that speaks against everything that is wrong in our nation.
