Zoya Akhtar’s film “Gully Boy”, starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt, gives a more realistic of the world, something that the audience seems to be enjoying more right now in Hindi films. The movie is India’s first hip-hop film that has been filmed in the slums of Mumbai.
Unlike her previous films (Dil Dhadakne No, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara), “Gully Boy” is not shot in any exotic location or on a luxury cruise liner. In fact, if you see the trailer, the opening shot itself shows you the massive slums of Kurla, giving you an idea of the world the film is set in.
Gully Boy is about a boy from the slums of Mumbai, who is passionate about hip hop and uses it to express himself (in an abusive environment) and also dreams big (despite the tough circumstances in which he lives). The movie has some resemblance to the journey of Divine (Vivian Fernandes) and Naezy (Naved Shaikh), underground homegrown rappers from Mumbai streets who made it big in the world of hip hop.
Gully Boy has all the makings of a blockbuster; you can already hear youngsters mouthing the hookline, ‘Apna time aayega’. The film is not your typical Bollywood masala film, but more of a ‘realistic’ film with excellent production value, including kickass music. In several scenes, the rap battles go on for much too long (probably the only downside), but every time that happens, Zoya Akhtar brings you back in the movie by following up with an emotionally wrenching scene. The role of Kalki Koechlin, who plays a rich music producer (studying in berklee college of music) is also very small and not allowed to grow.
Overall its a fantastic movie and makes you leave with a feel good feeling, as Murad and the other characters find happiness. The film is expected to do better business in metros and the bigger 2-tier cities.
GULLY BOY STORY
“Gully Boy” is about a young “Murad” (Ranveer Singh) who is sincere in his studies (his father wants him to pick up a nice job) but realises his calling to be a rapper. The film is about Murad’s journey who decides to chase his dream and in the process inadvertently transcends his class. The film focuses on the challenges faced by the youth (as well as their families) from the poorer, minority (Muslim) population, living in the slums of Mumbai. Alia Bhatt plays a fiesty Muslim girl, who wants to become a surgeon, and is Ranbeer’s love interest in the film.
RELEASE DATE: Feb 14, 2019 ( India)
Run Time: 2 hour 33 Minutes
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Vijay Varma
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Ritesh Sidhwani, Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar
GULLY BOY Reviews
Ratings:4/5 Review By: Rajeev Masand Site: News18
But those minor nigglings aside, I think Gully Boy is one of Zoya Akhtar’s stronger films; in fact for me it ranks right up there with her extraordinary first film Luck By Chance. I enjoyed the world she creates here, the characters that inhabit this world, and the paces she puts them through.That’s a lot to pack into a film that works on surface level as a highly entertaining musical drama. I came away with an appreciation for Indian hip-hop, which frankly I knew nothing about until now.I’m going with four out of five for Gully Boy. I loved this film from inside my bones.
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Ratings:4/5 Review By: Taran Adarsh Site: Twitter
Depicts the struggles of an underdog brilliantly… Zoya Akhtar’s best film to date… Ranveer is phenomenal… Alia is electrifying… Siddhant Chaturvedi is super… Not to be missed!
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Ratings:4/5 Review By: Anupama Chopra Site: Filmcompanion
Be warned – some of rap battles go on for much too long. Gully Boy has a measured pace with a 2 hour 36 minute-running time and you will get restless. The weakest link is the rich, US-based, white savior Sky, played by Kalki Koechlin. It’s an underwritten character and Kalki does with it what she can. But each time you are tempted to check out of the film, Zoya bungs in an emotionally wrenching scene and brings you right back in.By the end, I was wiping tears and cheering furiously not just for Murad but for each one of these characters to find happiness. Even his abusive father.That’s the magic of this film. I’m going with four stars.
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Ratings:4/5 Review By: Raja Sen Site: Hindustan Times
Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, an underdog story shining a light on India’s incipient hip-hop subculture, is the first great Hindi film of 2019 and a rousing celebration of spunk. The writing is enthralling, the texture fantastic, and this world is a revelation. Here are characters without room to breathe who express themselves breathlessly, through a style of music that has always belonged to the marginalised. Dissent finds a way — and a beat.
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Ratings:3/5 Review By: Saibal Site: NDTV
In an era of which Bollywood is increasingly passing off pulpy apologies for demagoguery for cinema, Gully Boy could have been a fitting riposte. It just doesn’t go far enough to pose discomfiting questions in keeping with the art of the street rapper. But all said and done, Gully Boy can be whole-heartedly commended for its craft, fascinating characters and RANVEER SINGH. He absolutely kills the slow-burning rapper act. What’s more, he does with a lot of energy to spare.
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Ratings:3.5/5 Review By: Shubhra Gupta Site: Indian Express
But, ultimately, this is a film to enjoy. In today’s India, to bring a Murad and Safeena, their Muslim-ness a matter-of-fact statement, into centre-stage, to give traction to those who live on the wrong side of the tracks, is an act of bravery. ‘Inka time aa gaya’. Rap along.
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The movie is produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
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