Gully Boy - Review

Nepotism has been a catchphrase off-late in Bollywood. I don't want to take sides but I totally support this kind of nepotism where the talents like Ranveer, Alia and Zoya are blessed upon the industry. If this is the level of talent Nepotism can guarantee then I am all for it but the rest I can't comment. Gully boy is an underdog story but it's not just another underdog story. The movie works at different levels and different things work in its favor.

First the authenticity in the movie is totally mind blowing. The Dharavi slums are not shown to be ugly just for the sake of it. They are shown in an authentic way that the poverty is visible but area is shown live-able. Coming to the richness, it is not over blown but established in the right way.

Music is a rage. Each song is a gem in itself. The maker's though did not have the scope to use Jingosthan and Azadi, they still used them. That conveys the boldness of the team. The climax song is so humble yet impactful.

Coming to actors, Alia did a very good job and adds another good role in her almost perfect filmography. Every other actor did perfect but the guy who played MC Sher(Sidhanth Chaturvedi), Ranveer's friend(Vijay Verma) and Ranveer's dad(Vijay Raaz) are impeccable in their roles. Lastly and the most importantly Ranveer proves why he is a gem of an actor when it comes to underplay. There is a scene in the movie where he talks about his education to his boss's family in a car. The way he acts with so much finesse in such a delicate scene is outright brilliant. He plays an introvert who only breaks out during rap. His bonding with MC Sher is a major highlight in the movie.

Personally, I never felt Zoya Akhtar had it in her until I saw Dil Dhadakne Do. It was such a simple script but how she lifted that movie with her direction is so commendable and then I started believing in her. With Gully Boy I have become a fan. I have never seen any other Indian director who underplays their direction but leave their signature all over the movie so efficiently like Zoya does. She does not give into the usual loud tones or heart thumping victories or extreme melodrama to drive the underdog story. Yet you leave the movie so satisfied, so proud and wanting to come back for more.

Take a bow Zoya, you have made Bollywood proud.