Pune Highway (2025) Movie Review: A Directorial Masterclass in Tension and Trust
Introduction
Pune Highway (2025) is a gripping psychological thriller that expands the emotional canvas of its original play form. Directed by Rahul da Cunha and Bugs Bhargava Krishna, the film offers a haunting portrayal of friendship, guilt, and the collapse of trust.
The film leverages cinematic space and visual design to reimagine a one-room play as an immersive cinematic experience. iBomma Movies highlights its atmospheric precision, while Iradha Movies praises the human depth conveyed through every frame.
Director’s Vision and Style
Rahul da Cunha and Bugs Bhargava Krishna approach this adaptation with extraordinary sensitivity. Their decision to retain the core intimacy of the stage while opening up the setting reveals a clear understanding of both mediums.
The directorial focus remains sharply on human behavior, silence, and suppressed emotions. This creates a tense environment where even stillness feels threatening, a quality admired by Bappamtv Movies.
Key Directorial Choices
One major choice is the use of confined spaces, which mirrors the psychological claustrophobia the characters experience. It intensifies the storytelling without leaning on excess dialogue or exposition.
The use of natural lighting and real-time pacing further embeds viewers into the emotional journey. These choices reveal a deep trust in the audience’s emotional intelligence and patience.
Influences and Inspirations
The film carries echoes of chamber dramas and minimalist thrillers like *12 Angry Men* and *Carnage*. However, Pune Highway grounds its story in Indian sensibilities and urban emotional disconnect.
The directors’ theatrical roots are evident, but they’ve clearly drawn cinematic influence from psychological thrillers that focus on human reactions over action set pieces.
Character Development and Arcs
Amit Sadh’s character transforms from a confident urbanite to a guilt-ridden soul facing the weight of suppressed truths. His arc is subtly and powerfully rendered.
Jim Sarbh’s role, intense and calculating, peels away layers to reveal emotional fragility. Their contrasting arcs form the emotional backbone of the narrative.
Comparison to Previous Works
Compared to their earlier collaborative works, Pune Highway is more introspective and emotionally nuanced. It lacks flashy visuals but gains deeply human moments.
This film shows maturity in directing—less concerned with grand spectacle and more focused on internal explosions between friends turned suspects.
Signature Style Elements
One standout signature of their direction is the deliberate use of silence as narrative. Long pauses speak louder than monologues.
Also notable is their focus on ensemble dynamics—how characters influence each other more than the plot itself. This reflects their stage experience transformed for screen.
Performances
Amit Sadh delivers a career-best performance. His eyes convey paranoia, fear, and regret without the need for heavy dialogue.
Jim Sarbh maintains a razor-sharp balance between control and emotional collapse. Manjari Fadnnis and Swapnil Ajgaonkar round out the emotional weight.
Screenplay and Narrative
The screenplay integrates flashbacks seamlessly, keeping tension high while revealing emotional undercurrents. It avoids melodrama, instead opting for realism.
Each line of dialogue serves a purpose. Whether to build mistrust or evoke sympathy, nothing feels wasteful or theatrical.
Visual Language
Deep Metkar’s cinematography captures narrow corridors, shadowy interiors, and reflections, visually representing the characters’ inner turmoil.
The visuals aren’t flashy but highly symbolic—mirrors, dim lights, and glass separating people hint at broken relationships and isolation.
Music and Background Score
Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes craft a minimal yet effective background score. It never overpowers, only guides the emotional tone.
Music cues are subtle, used sparingly but precisely—especially effective during intense moments of silence or confession.
Box Office and Reception
While exact numbers are yet to be confirmed, early reception at IFFI was overwhelmingly positive. Viewers connected with its emotional honesty.
Industry experts believe the film could find both festival acclaim and limited theatrical success due to its unique approach and powerful themes.
Table: Star Rating Breakdown
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Performances | ★★★★☆ |
| Direction | ★★★★☆ |
| Story & Screenplay | ★★★★☆ |
| Cinematography | ★★★★☆ |
| Music | ★★★☆☆ |
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Note: Star rating may vary based on viewer interpretation and future critical analysis.
FAQs
What makes Pune Highway (2025) stand out as a thriller?
Its emotionally grounded storytelling, combined with tight direction and powerful performances, makes it unique in the thriller genre.
Is this film different from typical Bollywood thrillers?
Yes, it avoids formulaic twists and focuses more on character depth and emotional consequences.
How does the director’s theater background influence the film?
The intimate blocking and focus on performance over plot are clear signs of theatrical roots refined for the screen.
What role does cinematography play in the film?
It creates tension through confined framing and natural lighting, reinforcing the emotional themes of isolation and suspicion.
Where can I read more about the film?
Sites like iBomma Movies, Bappamtv Movies, and Iradha Movies provide regular updates, insights, and reviews of the film.
Conclusion
Pune Highway is a triumph of direction, storytelling, and performance. It redefines what Indian psychological thrillers can look like when directors trust their vision and their audience.
Its emotional honesty and visual subtlety ensure it lingers in memory long after viewing. A must-watch for serious cinema lovers.
