Highway 2014

Veera Tripathi, portrayed by Alia Bhatt, is the cherished daughter of a wealthy business magnate, Manik Kumar Tripathi (Reuben Israel). Just one day before her grand wedding, she finds herself overwhelmed by the monotonous rituals and the insistent attention from family members. Seeking a moment of respite, she embarks on a drive with Vinay (Arjun Malhotra), her conservative fiancé, whom she does not truly love. Unfortunately, their trip takes a harrowing turn when a gang of criminals, fleeing from a robbery, abducts Veera at a petrol station, using her as a shield to evade capture, while Vinay is left paralyzed with fear in the car.

The kidnappers whisk her away to a remote safe house outside the city, where chaos ensues among the gang, particularly under the leadership of the ruthless Kasana (Hemant Mahaur). As panic sets in upon discovering that Veera’s father has influential connections, Mahabir Bhati (Randeep Hooda), one of the gang members, shows a shocking determination to follow through on their plan despite the looming threat. He harbors a deep resentment against affluent Indians and remains unafraid to confront them. He vows to place Veera in a brothel if he cannot extract a ransom from Manik. Assisting him in this sinister endeavor are Goru (Saharsh Kumar Shukla), Tonk (Pradeep Nagar), and Aadoo (Durgesh Kumar).

As the gang shuttles Veera across cities to steer clear of police detection, the authorities engage in extensive searches to locate her. Initially, Mahabir’s contacts refuse to shelter them, but as tensions rise, Goru makes a move to befriend Veera under the guise of offering protection in exchange for sexual favors. Eventually, she is brought to an abandoned industrial warehouse. During an attempt to flee, Mahabir allows her to run but it becomes clear that survival in the desert with Mahabir is her only option, prompting her to return.

When Goru attempts to assault Veera, Mahabir intervenes and defiantly confronts Goru, who flees, likely to inform the police. Mahabir decides to relocate once again, yet Veera begins to assert herself. With newfound courage, she stands up to Mahabir’s intimidating demeanor, reminding him that she is a human being as well.

In a surprising twist, when the police conduct a forceful search of the truck holding Veera, she, to her own astonishment, chooses to hide instead of revealing her presence. As the days progress, she starts to embrace the freedom offered to her, which confuses Mahabir. An unlikely bond evolves as Veera shares the trauma of her past, revealing how she suffered sexual abuse as a child at the hands of her uncle. Confronting this painful truth was stifled by her family’s admonition to keep quiet. To her, the abduction transforms into a blessing in disguise, finally granting her the opportunity to explore life on her terms.

Meanwhile, Veera’s frantic family and the police continue their pursuits to find her, while Mahabir’s reputation as the kidnapper looms over him. Amid these developments, Tonk makes ransom calls to Veera’s family as he travels between cities like Noida and Calcutta. Goru, predictably, reaches out to the authorities, setting a tense backdrop for the unfolding drama.

As Veera uncovers fragments of Mahabir’s painful history, she learns of his own childhood abuse, suffered at the hands of those he should have trusted. This revelation fosters a connection, causing Mahabir to gradually shed his animosity, developing a reluctant fondness for her. When he attempts to abandon her at a police station, revealing the violent path he has treaded, Veera steadfastly refuses to part ways, leading them to travel together.

They find tranquility in a quaint hilltop home, where Veera tells Mahabir about her dream of a simple mountain retreat. Witnessing her compassion invokes a sense of nostalgia within Mahabir, echoing the fondness he had for his mother. In a rare moment of peace, they both sleep under the stars, free from their haunting pasts. Tragically, this serenity is shattered when police intrusion results in Mahabir being shot dead, a moment that deeply impacts Veera.

Eventually, she is returned to her family, where she begins the arduous journey of healing from her traumatic experience, surrounded by loved ones, including her fiancé Vinay. After rediscovering her strength, she decisively breaks off her engagement and confronts her uncle, addressing the abuse she endured in her childhood, highlighting the irony of being safeguarded from external threats while being victimized by those closest to her.

Determined to forge her own path, Veera leaves her past behind, moving to the mountains where she establishes a factory and creates a new home. The film culminates with her overlooking the mountains and sky, reminiscing about Mahabir. In a poignant moment, she closes her eyes and envisions her younger self, joyfully playing on the hillside, joined by a boy resembling Mahabir from his own childhood, symbolizing her peaceful reconciliation with both her past and her lost love.