What Is Highway About?
The premise of Highway in 296 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the restless stretch between Hyderabad, Bangalore and the winding roads of the countryside, a palpable unease hangs over the landscape. A relentless serial killer stalks the shadowed edges of everyday life, while a determined police investigator presses forward with an urgency that borders on obsession. The film balances this tension with the quiet yearning of a young woman from a rural dairy farm, whose simple dream of a better future suddenly collides with forces far beyond her control.
Vishnu, a reflective photographer, is drawn into the midst of this dangerous milieu when a chance encounter with the village girl sets off an unexpected connection. His long‑time friend Samudram provides both comic relief and grounded support, their camaraderie hinting at deeper ties that surface as the journey unfolds. Across the police precinct, Asha Bharath leads the hunt, her sharp intellect and relentless drive making her both a relentless pursuer and a reluctant participant in the unfolding drama.
Tulasi embodies the hopes and vulnerabilities of those living on the fringes of the city’s bustle. Her ambition to escape an abusive past and reach a new life in Mangalore places her on a path that intersects with Vishnu’s own quest, creating a fragile bond that feels both sudden and inevitable. The warm, modest dhaba run by Jaya—who happens to be Vishnu’s aunt—offers a brief sanctuary, underscoring the film’s stark contrast between intimate human kindness and the looming threat outside.
The tone is a moody blend of suspense and tender romance, where every roadside stop and fleeting glance carries the weight of what might happen next. The world feels both expansive and claustrophobic, threaded with the pulse of distant sirens, whispered rumors, and the unspoken promise that love can ignite even in the darkest corners of a perilous chase.
What Happens in Highway?
The complete story of Highway, from the first scene to the last, in 693 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 4 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Anand Deverakonda as Vishnu, a photographer who narrates his own life story. In a brisk flashback, we learn Vishnu lives in Hyderabad with his mother, sister, and grandmother, and then heads to Bangalore with his long-time friend Satya as Samudram to shoot a wedding. On the same thread of events, Saiyami Kher portrays Asha Bharath, a determined investigator and part of a team chasing a chilling serial killer known only as “D,” who preys on young women for his own perverse pleasure. Parallel to this investigation, Tulasi, played by Manasa Radhakrishnan as Tulasi, is a gentle, ambitious village girl working on a dairy farm who longs to escape an abusive situation, reunite with her father, and start a better life in Mangalore. The tension heats up as D claims another victim, nudging Asha and her team closer to the truth while stirring distrust between them.
On Tulasi’s journey, a precautionary stop at a Dhaba becomes a turning point. A deaf old woman accidentally locks Tulasi inside, but she escapes and discovers she has missed the bus. A man who tries to harass her is thwarted by the Dhaba’s owner, Jaya, who shelters Tulasi for the night. In the meantime, Vishnu’s car breaks down, and he and Samudram repair it and head toward the Dhaba, where Vishnu and Tulasi cross paths and feel an instant, undeniable pull. The Dhaba owner, Jaya, is revealed to be Vishnu’s aunt, and a childhood spark between Samudram and Jaya lingers in the air. All the while, D attempts to kill another girl but fails, a brutal act that ends with him killing a small boy who worked for that girl, intensifying the man’s cold streak.
As Asha intensifies the hunt, she retrieves a crucial clue—a portrait of D from a lodge owner she had previously met—that sharpens the pursuit and deepens the mystery surrounding the killer. During their shared journey, Tulasi and Vishnu grow closer, their initial attraction blossoming into tender feelings. Vishnu must soon return to Bangalore and drops Tulasi near Mangalore, gifting her a phone for emergencies and urging her to stay hopeful. The bus Tulasi hopes to board refuses to start, leaving the passengers stranded and uneasy. A menacing figure who had previously tried to harass Tulasi reappears and offers a ride by coercion; as she tries to escape, a call to Vishnu connects only briefly. Enter D, who appears to intervene, but what looks like protection quickly becomes danger as he kidnaps Tulasi under the pretense of helping her.
Vishnu’s regret at leaving Tulasi behind fuels a rekindled resolve. Samudram urges him to return to Tulasi, while he seeks help from the courier network DHDC to locate her. After a tense pursuit, a driver from the courier company locates Tulasi with D in an ambulance and forwards the information to Vishnu. Asha and her assistant race to the scene to arrest D, but D turns the encounter into a standoff, wounding Asha and firing a shot at them as Tulasi is forcibly moved away. Vishnu arrives at the location, saves the injured Asha, and transfers her to a government hospital before setting out again to rescue Tulasi.
In the forest-stretching climax, D reveals his chilling motive: he began as an ambulance driver who found perverse pleasure in death, a life altered by a broken heart when his lover left him for a wealthier man. He believes Tulasi is particularly vulnerable—alone, with no one to come to her rescue—an idea that feeds his dangerous cravings. The rescue finally comes when Vishnu rushes in to save Tulasi, who fights back, while D strides into a final confrontation with the two of them. A tiger emerging from the trees turns the hunter into prey, attacking D and ending his spree as Tulasi and Vishnu reunite after surviving the ordeal.
The film closes with Tulasi and Vishnu recounting the harrowing sequence to the media, leaving the nation in shock as they tell the truth of what happened and the fear that still lingers. Their retelling confirms how fragile safety can be and how courage, love, and timely aid can interrupt even the darkest paths.
Highway Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
13 key events in the order they happen, from “Framing narration by Vishnu” to “Ending: media reveal and reunion”. 13 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Framing narration by Vishnu
The film opens with Vishnu narrating his story, setting a frame for the events to follow. The narration quickly shifts into a flashback about his life and the people involved.
When:Present Where:Hyderabad (frame)
- 2
Vishnu's Hyderabad life and Bangalore wedding shoot plan
Vishnu is a photographer living with his mother, sister, and grandmother in Hyderabad. He travels with his long-time friend Samudram to Bangalore to shoot a wedding.
When:Flashback: pre-Bangalore trip Where:Hyderabad/Bangalore
- 3
Asha chases the serial killer D
Asha Bharat and her team begin chasing the serial killer known as D. D kills another young girl and, in his frustration, also kills a small boy who works for her, escalating the case.
When:During investigation Where:City / Police investigation
- 4
Tulasi's backstory and journey to Mangalore
Tulasi, a young village girl, lives with her mother and works on a dairy farm. She decides to travel to Mangalore to escape her oppressive boss and to meet her father who abandoned them.
When:Flashback: village life Where:Village
- 5
Tulasi's bus stop and Jaya's shelter
On her journey, Tulasi's bus stops near a Dhaba where a deaf old woman accidentally locks her in the washroom. She escapes and realizes she missed the bus, and the Dhaba owner Jaya shelters her for the night.
When:On the road to Mangalore Where:Dhaba
- 6
Vishnu meets Tulasi at the Dhaba
Vishnu's car breaks down and he and Samudram reach the Dhaba where Tulasi is staying. Vishnu meets Tulasi and falls for her at first sight; his aunt Jaya explains the family connection and asks him to drop Tulasi to Mangalore.
When:Road trip to Mangalore Where:Dhaba
- 7
D’s killings and Asha's portrait lead
While all this unfolds, D's killings continue; he tries to kill another girl but fails. Asha obtains a portrait of D from a lodge owner and plans to arrest him.
When:During investigation Where:Lodge
- 8
Vishnu leaves Tulasi; bus trouble
Vishnu deposits Tulasi near the Mangalore bus stop, giving her a phone to call him in an emergency, and he must depart for Bangalore. The bus fails to start, so the passengers disembark and Tulasi is left waiting.
When:Departure Where:Mangalore route
- 9
The harasser returns and D abducts Tulasi
A harassing man reappears and tries to abduct Tulasi, but D intervenes, presenting himself as a helper. He then kidnaps Tulasi in the name of helping her, and she trusts him.
When:Moment of abduction Where:Road near Mangalore
- 10
Vishnu pursues with DHDC help
Vishnu regrets leaving her and asks Samudram to go back to Bangalore. A DHDC driver locates Tulasi with D in an ambulance and relays the location; Asha and her assistant decode the location and move to arrest.
When:Pursuit Where:Roadside / DHDC
Show the other 3 events of Highway Hide the last 3 events
- 11
D overpowers Asha's team and abducts Tulasi
At the location, D overpowers Asha's team, shoots her assistant, and takes Tulasi away. Vishnu arrives and finds the carnage, then takes Asha to a government hospital, while he continues toward Tulasi.
When:Present Where:Ambulance / roadside
- 12
Forest confrontation and motive revealed
In a forest, D reveals his motive: he was an ordinary ambulance driver who turned to killing after losing his lover, seeking pleasure in others' deaths. A tiger arrives and kills D just as Tulasi and Vishnu are cornered, allowing them to reunite.
When:Present Where:Forest
- 13
Ending: media reveal and reunion
Tulasi and Vishnu recount the story to the media, leaving the nation in shock. The film ends with their reunion and the public disclosure of the events.
When:Present Where:Media room
Who Are the Main Characters in Highway?
5 characters, among them Vishnu (Anand Deverakonda), Tulasi (Manasa Radhakrishnan) and D aka Das (Abhishek Banerjee): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- V(
Vishnu (Anand Deverakonda)
Played by Anand Deverakonda
A photographer from Hyderabad who moves between personal attachments and danger. He forms a quick romantic bond with Tulasi but grapples with guilt after leaving her momentarily. Bold and protective, he races to rescue Tulasi when the threat from D resurfaces.
- 🎯 Determined
- 📷 Photographer
- ❤️ Romantic
- T(
Tulasi (Manasa Radhakrishnan)
Played by Manasa Radhakrishnan
A young village girl working at a dairy, seeking to escape an abusive boss and reunite with her father. She remains hopeful yet cautious as danger closes in. Her resilience and trust in others are tested by the manipulative D.
- 🌸 Innocent
- 💪 Courageous
- 🤝 Hopeful
-
D aka Das (Abhishek Banerjee)
Played by Abhishek Banerjee
An ambulance driver turned serial killer who takes pleasure in others' deaths. He is methodical, chilling, and capable of manipulation, exploiting trust to abduct Tulasi. His backstory fuels his warped thrill of killing.
- 🔪 Sinister
- 🧠 Calculating
- 😈 Maniacal
-
Asha Bharath (Saiyami Kher)
Played by Saiyami Kher
An enthusiastic investigator pursuing D, decoding his location through clues and witnesses. She collaborates with Vishnu and others to close in on the killer while facing danger herself. Her determination keeps the pursuit moving forward.
- 🕵️♀️ Investigator
- 🚨 Brave
- 🧠 Sharp
- S(
Samudram (Satya)
Played by Satya
Vishnu's long-time friend who understands the danger and supports the plan to protect Tulasi. He travels separately to Bangalore, providing both emotional and logistical support in the race against D. His loyalty anchors the group.
- 🤝 Loyal
- 🧭 Resourceful
- 🗣️ Trusted
Where and When Is Highway Set?
Highway is set in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mangalore and forest (Present day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Present day
The events unfold in contemporary India, with everyday technology and urban mobility shaping the chase. The plot follows a real-world pace across cities, highways, and small towns, rather than a historical setting. The tension comes from modern threats and rapid communication.
Where
Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mangalore, forest
The story moves from Hyderabad's urban environment to the roads linking Bangalore and Mangalore, with a pivotal roadside dhaba as a sanctuary. The journey traverses metropolitan settings, quiet rural spaces, and finally a dense forest where danger unfolds. These locations blend modern life with raw, tense terrain that drives the suspense.
- 🏙️ Urban hubs
- 🛣️ Road trip
- 🌳 Forest
What Are the Themes of Highway?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Pursuit, Love under Threat and Nature's Justice.
-
01
Pursuit
Asha and Vishnu coordinate a high-stakes search for the killer, tracing clues from portraits to witness accounts. The investigation tightens as the killer remains elusive, shifting between urban locations and highway hideouts. The theme centers on truth emerging through determination and cooperation under pressure.
-
02
Love under Threat
Vishnu and Tulasi's connection provides a fragile beacon of hope amid danger. Their budding relationship is tested by time pressure, fear, and a ruthless pursuer who targets vulnerable women. The romance adds emotional weight to the pursuit and heightens the stakes.
-
03
Nature's Justice
In the climax, a forest tiger intervenes, killing the killer and delivering a brutal form of natural justice. The forest setting contrasts with urban crime, suggesting that nature can intervene when human systems fail. The ending emphasizes fate and the unpredictability of the wild.
What Kind of Film Is Highway?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Happy
A steadily paced, high-tension thriller that intertwines a chilling serial killer investigation with a tender, hopeful romance, creating a perilous journey where love blossoms amidst extreme danger.
- tense
- anxious
- romantic
- dark
- thrilling
- perilous
- serial killer
- crime investigation
- found love
- survival
Content notes: serial killer, murder, kidnapping, child death, abusive situation, stalking.
Quiz
How well do you remember Highway? Test yourself on the story.
