Language - Hindi
Director - Zoya Akhtar
Run Time - 2 hours, 33 minutes
Genre - Drama/Music
Starring - Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Raaz and Siddhant Chaturvedi
It seems that everytime that Karan Johar asked every guest on his show to choose between Ranveer and Ranbir, Ranveer has thunderously responded echoing 'Apna Time Aagaya'
Gully Boy, loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rappers 'Divine' and 'Naezy', is a whirlwind of fresh air and continues Zoya Akhtar's golden run. With Gully Boy, she takes us right to the underground music movement in the streets of Dharavi - India's biggest slum and realistically captures the struggles of its residents.
Ranveer Singh plays Murad, based on Naezy, who lives in an overcrowded chawl in Mumbai, with an extended family ofcourse. He is a big fan of A$ap Rocky and the likes who he considers as legitimate rappers unlike the Indian mainstream scene which he reflects in one of the earlier scenes of the movie where he talks about them derogatorily and points out that all they have to say is "Ye dekh meri gaadi, mere joote, ye dekh daaru, chokri"
He meets MC Sher, based on Divine and is inspired by him to become a rapper himself and fulfil his passion and destiny and not be left on the world to decide his fate. The film follows his ups and down on his journey.
Alia Bhatt is my favourite actress in Bollywood currently, and how effortlessly she executes every role is amazing. Here she plays Safeena, Murad's firebrand girlfriend who's antics bring some much-needed humour to the otherwise serious drama. Vijay Raaz and Kalki play out their small roles with conviction too. Newcomer Siddhanth Chaturvedi as 'MC Sher' is also quite convincing.
Two things I loved from the movie were
1. The realism that Zoya Akhtar has displayed in the movie. Small instances like Murad's employer talking to his daughter for post-graduation pointing out that even Murad is going to be a graduate but how does it matter.
2. The fact that Ranveer sang all his songs for the movie. That shows how much he can adapt himself to do justice to a role.
The entire soundtrack was amazing with a bevvy of musicians forming it from Divine and Naezy and a special song by american rapper 'Nas' in the credits to Ankur Tewari and Raghu Dixit, etc. Certain lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar were also beautiful.
Although Zoya Akhtar has taken some influences from 2002's Eminem film - 8 Mile, she has managed to make it fresh and original. I've been listening to Divine and the likes for 2-3 years now, I hope the hip-hop scene finally flourishes in India.
A highly entertaining film, with superb performances, a movie you should not miss out on.
My Rating - 8.4/10
