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Movie Name: Pune Highway
Directed by: Bugs Bhargava Krishna, Rahul da Cunha
Starring: Amit Sadh, Jim Sarbh, Anuvab Pal, Manjari Fadnis, Ketaki Narayan, Sudeep Modak
Genre: Thriller, Drama
Running Time: – Minutes
Release Date: 23 May, 2025
Rating:
Production Companies: Drop D Films, Ten Years Younger Productions
Budget: ₹– crore
Pune Highway is described as a chilling tale of friendship and a mysterious murder. The story revolves around a dead body and the secrets that unravel, creating a suspenseful narrative. The trailer highlights themes of friendship gone wrong and a gripping murder mystery.
Pune Highway: Movie Overview
Pune Highway is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language thriller film directed by Bugs Bhargava Krishna and Rahul da Cunha, and produced by Rahul da Cunha and Seema Mohapatra. The film stars Amit Sadh, Jim Sarbh, Anuvab Pal, Manjari Fadnis, Ketaki Narayan, and Sudeep Modak. It premiered at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2024 and is scheduled for theatrical release in India on 23 May 2025.
The film is directed by Bugs Bhargava Krishna and Rahul da Cunha, with production handled by Rahul da Cunha and Seema Mohapatra under Drop D Films and Ten Years Younger Productions. Shooting began in November 2022, as announced by Amit Sadh, who described the project as a transition from an award-winning play to a drama-thriller screenplay. The filming was completed by January 2023, with Amit Sadh sharing a picture from the sets alongside co-star Jim Sarbh. Amit Sadh has compared the film to Kai Po Che!, expressing excitement about its potential impact.
Pune Highway was screened at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in November 2024. The teaser for the film was released on 30 April 2025, followed by the official trailer on 2 May 2025. The film is set to be released in Indian theatres on 23 May 2025.
Three friends who have grown up together in the same building in Mumbai are affected, in different ways, by a dead body found 200 kms away in a lake. As they fight for their friendship, they can’t escape the ugly truth racing towards them
Movie Trailer:
Movie Review:
Amit Sadh stuns in gripping thriller that proves Bollywood needs great writing, powerful acting, and honest direction — Not bombast — to make a big impact
Pune Highway is a taut, psychological thriller that grips you from the first frame. Powered by a career-best performance from Amit Sadh and stellar turns by Jim Sarbh and the ensemble cast, the film blends raw emotion with relentless suspense. The direction and a tightly written script make this a cinematic detour worth every mile.
In an era where Bollywood often prioritizes spectacle over substance, Pune Highway emerges as a refreshing exemplar of what cinema can and should be: a riveting story brought to life by a sharp script, immersive performances, and precise direction. Directed with compelling restraint by Rahul da Cunha and co-written by Bugs Bhargava Krishna, this psychological thriller grips the viewer from its very first frame and refuses to let go.
Based on the acclaimed play of the same name, Pune Highway unfolds as a taut, character-driven mystery. The narrative revolves around three lifelong friends, brought together under tense circumstances when a dead body is discovered 200 kilometers away by a lake. What follows is an emotionally charged unraveling of paranoia, secrets, and fractured relationships — all played out in a confined, claustrophobic setting that adds to the mounting psychological pressure.
The brilliance of Pune Highway lies in its script — razor-sharp and economical. It never falls prey to over-explaining or melodrama, instead trusting the audience to read between the lines. The dialogues are layered, and the silences often speak louder than words, underscoring the theatrical origins of the story. This restraint makes every scene pulse with an undercurrent of tension that keeps viewers glued to their seats.
At the heart of this cinematic triumph is Amit Sadh , who delivers arguably his career-best performance. Sadh’s portrayal of the emotionally volatile protagonist (Khandu) is nuanced and deeply affecting. He does not “act” in the conventional sense; rather, he inhabits his character with total conviction. His measured expressions — a subtle furrow of the brow, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes, a quiet breakdown hidden behind clenched jaws — elevate every scene. His voice modulation is equally masterful, shifting effortlessly from subdued vulnerability to sharp, commanding intensity as the narrative demands. Watching Amit Sadh here is a reminder of his immense talent and why he is one of the finest actors currently working in Hindi cinema.
Matching him scene for scene is Jim Sarbh , whose performance is electric and unpredictable. Sarbh’s character is layered with ambiguity, and he imbues it with a nervous energy that never lets the tension sag. His dry wit and nervous mannerisms add depth, making his presence both unsettling and magnetic. Sarbh ensures the thriller’s pulse remains constant, injecting suspense and intrigue throughout the film.
The supporting cast further enriches this tightly knit story. Manjari Fadnnis delivers a beautifully restrained performance, her eyes conveying volumes in moments where words fall short. Ketaki Narayan is refreshingly natural, grounding her role with effortless charm and sincerity. Anuvab Pal, known for his comedic talents, surprises with a subtle dramatic turn, proving his versatility. Meanwhile, Swapnil Ajgaonkar’s character provides the film’s much-needed comic relief. His timing is impeccable without ever breaking the film’s tone, making his moments feel like an organic part of the narrative rather than an artificial insertion.
Veterans like Rajit Kapoor, Shishir Sharma, and Deepali Garg, along with other talented actors such as Smita Dongre and Kurangi Vijayshri Nagraj, round out the ensemble with nuanced performances that keep the film’s emotional weight balanced and authentic. Even the child actor Mona impresses with a naturalistic portrayal, a testament to Rahul da Cunha’s directorial finesse in eliciting performances that feel lived-in rather than acted.
Visually, Pune Highway opts for intimacy over grandeur. The camera work is deliberately confined, amplifying the claustrophobia and psychological dread that permeate the story. The locations — ranging from dimly lit hotel rooms to deserted highways — are grimy and realistic, far removed from Bollywood’s usual glitz. This gritty aesthetic perfectly suits the film’s tone, enhancing the narrative’s tension without resorting to visual gimmicks.
What sets Pune Highway apart, especially in today’s cinematic landscape, is its reliance on fundamentals: a gripping script, powerhouse acting, and controlled direction. In a time when big-budget Bollywood films with star-studded casts often struggle to connect with audiences, this film reminds us that a well-told story is always in demand. There are no distracting song-and-dance sequences or flashy effects here — just pure storytelling that respects the viewer’s intelligence.
Rahul da Cunha’s direction is a masterclass in pacing and restraint. His theatrical background shines through in the film’s staging and scene blocking, creating an atmosphere thick with unspoken tension. Rather than relying on jump scares or loud moments, he builds suspense through silences, meaningful glances, and conversations loaded with subtext. His control over the narrative flow ensures that the story’s emotional beats hit with maximum impact.
Verdict:
Pune Highway is a gripping thriller that captivates without shouting. It draws you into its dark, tangled web and holds you captive with compelling performances and a story that never loses focus. Amit Sadh and Jim Sarbh’s electrifying work alone makes this film worth watching, but the entire ensemble deserves praise for their authentic, compelling portrayals.
In a year where many high-profile Bollywood projects faltered, Pune Highway stands as a powerful reminder of the magic that happens when cinema prioritizes substance over spectacle. It’s a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll — a testament to the power of good writing, honest acting, and focused direction.
This is not just a must-watch for thriller enthusiasts but for anyone who believes in the art of storytelling. Pune Highway proves that sometimes, less truly is more — and that small-budget cinema can deliver an impact as powerful as the biggest blockbusters.
