Nepali movie ‘Highway’ is releasing on July 20, 2012. The movie directed by Deepak Rauniyar features Karma, Saugat Malla, Reecha Sharma, Binaya Shrestha, Eelum, Dayahang Rai, Rajan Khatiwada, Asha Magarati, Shristi Ghimire, Mamata Rai, Sandip Chhetri, Bhumika Shrestha, Keshav Bhattrai and Rabindra Mishra in leading roles.

The movie features cinematography of Apal Singh and Jyoti Keshar Simha, music direction of Richard Horowitz, Vibek, Maddala, editing of Davit Barker, Deepak Rauniyar, Rita Mehaer, story of Deepak Rauniyar, Abinash Bikram Shah, Kedar Sharma, Khagendra Lamichane script of Abinash Bikram Shah and the dialogue of Abinash Bikram Shah.

Crew Background

The strong point of the movie ‘Highway’ is that it contains most of the preferred Nepali actors of the Nepali film industry. Some of the actors in the movie had been very successful and are considered  the gems of the Nepali film industry. Karma, Reecha Sharma and Binaya Shrestha are known by the audience from their last superhit movie ‘First Love’. Another successful movie ‘Loot‘ had featured to actors present in ‘Highway’ – actors Dayahang Rai (Gofle) and Saugat Malla (Hakku Kale).

The director, Deepak Rauniyar, is also a journalist and he had previously directed two short films ‘Pooja’ and ‘Chaukhat’. Both of his short film were appreciated by the audiences. The feature movie ‘Highway’ is his first directorial venture based on his experience of disruption of traffic by regular strikes (Nepal bandha).

‘Highway’ explores five different relationship stories that were connected during an ill-fated bus journey from eastern Nepal to the capital, Kathmandu. Set among the breathtaking landscapes of eastern Nepal, ‘Highway’, follows the journey of nine different characters whose stories were accidentally interconnected during the ill-fated bus journey.

Movie and media response

‘Highway’ got a very good response in media before its release. After being officially screened in top film festival, The Berlinale Film Festival, the movie received some positive reviews in media. The movie is especially popular among the youths who are regular in social media. Looking to these responses, ‘Highway’ is expected to do excellent opening on first day inside Kathmandu valley as well as in the city areas. ‘Highway’ however might be less preferred in rural Nepal because of the lack of commercial, masala contents.

Presence in Internet and social media

There is a Facebook page of ‘Highway’ to share information on the movie between the movie makers and the general public. The YouTube video channel of the movie is also set up for the release of trailers and promotions.

Promo video – one of the item songs in ‘Highway’ titled ‘Paplu’: