"[6] In an interview for The Hollywood Reporter, director Imtiaz Ali stated that all of the songs on the soundtrack, except for "Sooha Saha", were recorded after filming was completed.

After improvising a 20-minute track "Patakha Guddi", the composer decided that the last portion of it could be developed into a completely different song, despite knowing there might not be any place for it in the film.

[9] In the film, as the journey moves from the plains of Punjab to the hills of Himachal, Veera sings this lullaby that reminds Mahabir of his childhood.

[10] The track "Wanna Mash Up" is a groovy western dance number composed entirely in English with rap and reggae which Alia's character Veera grooves to.

[11] On development of "Highway", lyricist Irshad Kamil stated: Imtiaz strongly felt that the song must be recorded in Rahman sir's voice to make it more gratifying in its high notes.

But other songs drop the regional aspect and concentrate more on the girl's emotions, like the song in the mountains "Wanna Mash Up" and "Maahi Ve" or atop the bus "Kahaan Hoon Main" were not regional but were approached in a more western manner to show the ebullience of one in a situation or mentality like that.

[17] The track titled "Patakha Guddi", sung by the sister duo, Jyoti and Sultana Nooran, was released as a single on 23 December 2013.

[22] On July 24, 2014, the Pakistan based newspaper Roznama Express reported that singer Zeb Bangash, who co-sang the track "Sooha Saahaa" with Alia Bhatt would not be given credit for her performance.

The record label's official website removed Zeb's name, and on YouTube, she was not credited alongside Alia, A. R. Rahman and Imtiaz Ali.

Rahman score after a long gap, in the sense that it will appeal even to those who are not hardcore fans of the composer and his musical grammar (and composition!)."

Rating the soundtrack 3 out of 5, he added, "However, for sheer mass connectivity, we still miss the excellence of Ali's Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal.

[29] Joginder Tuteja for Rediff wrote, "Of all Imtiaz Ali films to date, the music of Highway is the most experimental."

Assigning the album a score of 3 out of 5, he added, "In fact, it is obvious that Imtiaz and Rahman were concentrating more on a theme-based soundtrack that seeps into the narrative, rather than the kind that turns out to be a chartbuster and popular in itself.

"[30] Critic Baradwaj Rangan summarised the album as, "AR Rahman's songs for Highway aren't exactly groundbreaking – and no, that's not an unjustified expectation when it comes to this composer.

"[31] Manohar Basu at Koimoi noted, "But defending its dissipating premise in the garb of Rahman's mystically well done score isn't what is expected of Ali.

"[32] According to critic Gayatri Sankar for Zee News, "Oscar Award winning music maestro AR Rahman is back again with melodies that will stay with you forever.

The genius has made the most of the folk tradition and thus paid respect to India's indigenous music culture that seldom finds a mention these days.

However, the problem is it lacks popular appeal, for you appreciate the songs as long as they last on screen, but don't hum the tunes once you make an exit from the auditorium.

"[37] Deborah Young for The Hollywood Reporter stated, "Top composer A. R. Rahman, who won due Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire's music and songs, has less to inspire him than in his previous collaboration with Ali, the music-laden Rockstar.

But the soundtrack is still a joy to listen to and makes a fine complement to Anil Mehta's dreamy images of India's soulful landscapes.

"[39] Ronnie Scheib for Variety said, "A. R. Rahman's score is powerful, his music, freed from the staginess of intricately choreographed, multi-costumed setpieces, flows sinuously throughout and evocative songs function mainly as inner voices conveying the characters' unspoken emotions.