Movie Name | Gully Boy |
Movie Cast | Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt |
Director | Zoya Akhtar |
Music Director | Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy |
Production Company | Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani |
Release Date | February 14, 2019 |
Zoya Akthar has always been associated with films that people belong to the glamorous and opulent yet realistic. Though she dealt with the super upper class, the core emotions were generic. From Lucky By Chance to ZNMD to DilDhadakne Do, the scripts varied quite significantly but always showed an internal struggle and people coming out of shackles. Gully Boy is way different from her earlier projects as we suddenly move from Europe trips, high five adventures to slums of Dharavi.
Gully Boy is primarily the story of Murad Ahmed, son of a driver and a college student who feels worthless because of the penury and zero motivation from the family. He loves rap and writes poetry mostly in the times of agony or hopelessness. In a college fest, he finds an alter ego,MC Sher a talented rapper who has already made some name. He starts collaborating with him and the rest of the film is about his steps to success.
Before talking about the script, one must talk about the ensemble. The movie has terrific actors giving their best in every small to big role. Kudos to the casting director. Ranveer Singh adds another feather to his cap. It was pleasant to see him as the subtle and humble rapper after watching him in an annoying and over the top role in Simmba. Though Alia has limited screen presence she has given an incredible performance like never. Probably her best till date. The impact she created in the first two scenes itself created am anticipation in every other scene she appeared.
The impact of supporting actors is immeasurable in Gully Boy.
The minuses of the film are its pace and the subtle conflict. Screenplay and editing to be blamed. However, screenplay scores brilliantly in many parts of the film. The ends on a slightly unconventional note. The best parts of the film are the rap battles. The movie introduces us to a world of aspiring rappers. The movie has zero clichés. The jealous girlfriend hits the alleged girlfriend of the hero with a beer bottle. In a scene, the father hits the son, the stepmom slightly eyes on him and says she likes his songs. And then we expect the mom to come and console the son. But, the mom asks curiously what the lady said. Also, there is a healthy relationship between Murad and hid guru Sher. There is no unnecessary brawl that is introduced. The love story is well woven inside the story. Though less time is spent, it is significant. The best scene of the film is the rap battle for a competition and a scene where Murad is singing all alone in his car in his driver uniform waiting for a mehmsaab. There is not a single cuss word in the lyrics and none of the characters used the language, yet brought the believability of the raw and rustic characters. A special mention to the real location shoot, which made the film extra convincing.
Gully Boy is a slow yet impactful. In the words of Gully Boy-its HARD.