“Gully Boy” Review: An exhilarating and inspirational joy ride!

The Zoya Akhtar + Ranveer Singh + Alia Bhatt combo was undoubtedly meant to spike our curiosity! Then of course the story. The story of street rappers in the slums of Mumbai. Their struggles, there dreams, their lives. It’s a very fresh environment and something that hasn’t been explored yet in Indian cinema. That right there calls for appreciation. Now, to the film!

From the first frame itself, we start with a man walking, in the dim light. Then someone else joins him. Then another. 3 people are walking, and the man on the far right is “Murad”, our protagonist. It’s a subtle introduction, which reflects upon how he is a commoner, just like his friends. He’s not a hero, and this is not that type of film where he would be given a special intro. That sets the ball just right for this movie. The film then successfully delves into the world of Murad. Constantly wearing headphones, he is in his own world, like many artists often are. We hear what he listens, when he listens, as the visual reflect the complete opposite. We are then introduced to his abusive father, who has two wives, his love interest, and of course his dream of being a rapper. From then onwards, we are in on the journey of a man who dreams beyond what his surroundings reflect!

The beauty in this film lies in the realism of the world explored. Credit goes to the writers and the director! All the characters, including those in the background seem authentic. The dialogues, the punch lines and basically all the rap battle scenes are very real. The growth that Murad experiences is believable and we actually see him improving. Being an artist, Murad is the type of individual who gains inspiration from his own life and his surroundings. Therefore, the manner in which various themes are explored is unique and impactful. From social-economic issues, to issues of the disenfranchised youth, to an unfortunate generation gap, this film explores each theme without any sense of preaching.  The character of Safeena (played by Alia Bhatt) also has an interesting arch. Many women and girls will be able to relate to her character, since in a way, she represents a lot of what most women her age must be experiencing. The feministic nature of a track is praiseworthy, along with the love story between her and Murad. There are many whistle worthy moments, not just during the rap battle scenes, but also during the many confrontational scenes, in the private lives of our main characters.

The screenplay deserves immense credit. The scenes, the flow, and the pace is commendable. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography is excellent! It gives out the rustic and raw feel that a film like this needs. The editing is crisp, and to the point. The production design deserves huge credit. The sound is used interestingly in this film. The music is naturally one of the main points of this film, and it works! It works not just as a way of getting us to groove with the beats, but also as a way of keeping us attached to Murads journey. The songs reflect who he is! When it comes to acting, everyone is excellent. Ranveer Singh has once again proven that he’s one of the best in Hindi cinema today. He carries his role like an expert. His performance is understated and impactful. Alia Bhatt is a revelation and has been growing ever since her first film. One of the best actresses in Hindi cinema today, she literally gets into the skin of a character. Vijay Raaz is fantastic. Kalki Koechlin is decent, although she doesn’t have much to do.  Siddhant Chaturvedi, who plays MC Sher is a surprise!

Overall, “Gully Boy” is a very well made film. It’s inspirational, entertaining, thought provoking, and an overall praiseworthy piece of cinema!

Rating: 4 stars