Movie Review - Gully Boy

In one line Gully Boy is a story of a dream not commensurate to one’s reality. An oft-related uplifting tale that challenges the notion that “chasing a dream is the purview of only the affluent”. The premise is not new, but the treatment definitely is – and in that treatment Gully Boy takes Bollywood a leap forward. The star of Gully Boy is Zoya Akhtar! Four movies old, Zoya has come of age and with Gully Boy made an offering that is leaps ahead of her previous ventures. Don’t get me wrong – Zindagi naa milegi…, Dil Dhadakne Do are my guilty pleasures but essentially they are pleasant breezy entertaining movies lacking depth and nuance to characters as well as the situations. With Gully Boy, she has retained her essential entertaining breezy element and added to it a dollop of depth, nuance & quality of filmmaking that raises the film to probably one of the best in recent times.

Technical aspects

Story & Screenplay: Inspired from the real life story of a rap artist from Mumbai – the story has been embellished into an engaging screenplay. Yes, embellished would be an apt word – it is an essential ingredient when telling a story of passion that surmounts all odds stacked against an individual . It is an inspiring story, told well. There are a few movies that make you realize there is an art to storytelling – very few filmmakers really get it, even fewer seem to adopt it.

Art Direction: I admit I am not an expert on this subject but this is something that stuck me quite impressive in the film. Very few films do justice to the city they are based in – Gully Boy does full justice to Mumbai! Pan shots of Dharavi, local trains, South Mumbai, city streets at night, the clubs - Mumbai is a full fledged character in the film. The film doesn’t gloss over poverty, garbage and crowds of the city, choosing to play up shots of the sea-link, sea side but remains firmly grounded in the root of the city yet beautifully brings it all together in frames that make you love the city and all that comes along with it.

Music

As would be expected, music plays an essential role in the film – not just the numerous rap songs but the background score which lifts the mood and plays a pivotal role in carrying the movie through. Its hard to pick a few of the favourites but Apna Time Aayega, Azadi, Kab se Kab Tak, Sher Aaya Sher & Jahan tu Chala definitely are for me to hear on loop!

Performances

For long Ranvir Singh was passed off as a bundle of energy cast into North Delhi roles and nothing more. Lootera, Dil Dhadakne Do, Padmavaat demanded attention to an actor who is bringing in diversity and range to his performance like no other actor in the current lot. With Gully Boy it is impossible to ignore the perfectionist in him – with Gully Boy he has delivered a fine nuanced performance raising the fundamental question if he is indeed ahead of the likes of Ranbir Kapoor who for far too long held at a higher pedestal higher than the rest of his peer-set.

In scenes where Murad pens down some of his deep reflective poetry, the pain and grief in Ranvir’s eyes is the mark of a fine actor, as is the look and demeanour of the man who inherently is brought up believing that “aankh neeche rakhke seedhe chalte raho”, making Ranvir restrain his trademark energy and exuberance.

The rest of the cast holds on their own well and to expectations. Vijay Raj, stands out as the man whose frail frame looks ready to break anytime with the burdern of his and his family’s existence. How he manages to demonstrate in his vacant angry eyes, pursued lips and body language the weight of the existence of the millions who live just to survive in the city of dreams is commendable.

Alia Bhatt is her usual self – nothing new, nothing different. In fact with Ranvir Singh raising the game to a different level, Alia Bhatt in contrast feels a little drab and uni-dimensional. In a very different role than what we have seen her before, she looks, feels, acts no different from what we have already seen her do. I have often heard her co-actors stating that “Alia is a natural, she doesn’t have to try too hard. She effortlessly delivers any scene”. Maybe that’s the problem. She doesn’t try too hard getting to the heart of a character and so misses delivering a nuanced performance. She is  not bad in the film, but not great either. Strictly ok.

Overall, Gully Boy is a film for everyone. Unlike Zoya’s previous ventures which were dubbed as “classy servings for multiplex audience”, this one promises to engage everyone! This year has started off with a  slew of good films I admit, make the most of this unexpected sunshine from Bollywood and go watch this movie. It will lift your spirits!

4.5 / 5.0