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If you are wondering about the title - its inspired from the film - to describe great rap that is truly worthy of appreciation. I couldn't think of a better line to describe this movie. Much like the supreme writing of Ranveer Singh's rap content - writing a review for a movie like Gully Boy requires careful thought. Its not something you can simply pen down and be done with. You need to do it justice. It needs to make its mark. The world needs to see it for what it is - no frills, just raw emotion. Its not just a rags to riches story - its something more. Its not just the struggle of an artist - it goes deeper than that. At the surface, sure that's that the movie. But when you linger, when you see a lead actor pull off near perfect, inner turmoil - with just the right amount of restraint. And then - simply unleash on that mic - well, that's Gully Boy for you.
Its time for the apple to fall - Gully Boy isn't the greatest movie ever to grace the silver screen ever, as everybody at Berlinale is touting it to be. But yes, its pretty damn good. Undoubtedly, amongst the best movies of 2019 (which to be fair, has just begun) and arguably amongst the best you'll get to see this year. So book your tickets right away if that's the verdict you've been waiting for. However, be cautioned - its not simply a thrill ride - at 148 minutes its a deliberate slow burn, not in a haste to tell its fairly predictable story. Also, it has some pedestrian side plots and a bold choice for an ending. But I'd still put it very much in the must-watch category.
A lot of what Gully Boy is, is to do with the man at its center - Ranveer Singh. Though his appearance, still doesn't make him look like the Dharavi residing, slumdog who can't even fathom being a millionaire, in spirit he is exactly that. His circumstances, the insults, the deep scars on his psyche, his day to day struggles are all very real. And Ranveer pulls it off like a veteran. Playing a rapper itself is no mean feat but playing such a character with complex emotions and a boiling rage within showcases his talent. Its not only the rap, which he pulls off particularly well, but in his more quieter moments - the quiet determination, confidence and even retaliation where he wins over hearts. While the camera doesn't focus on him nearly as much as he deserves it, debutante Siddhant Chaturvedi is one of the most natural acts you'll get to watch. Its astonishing that this is a debut - it really is - Mc Sher kills it. Its hard to believe this guy is the scrawny teenager who plays the child prodigy in the Amazon Prime series Inside Edge. Alia Bhatt isn't particularly challenged with this kind of role, given what she has pulled off in the past, but she is more than noticeable. Her child like quality is in full bloom here and given her particularly maverick character - it adds particular dimension to it. Her struggle is understated but still very much present.
Zoya Akhtar is in fine form and the directorial touches are subtle yet very much there. The background chatter, the scenes where the sounds fade out and the silence is deafening as the message hits home are all very well done indeed. A lot of thought has gone into the side act as well, especially their characters and their own struggles. As the audience, Zoya makes it easy for us to be judgmental from a distance, but doesn't leave it at that. No she takes the camera into their lives, their homes and their grim realities, eventually forcing us to reflect and ponder, be more thoughtful about our perceptions. One can argue that the movie could've been shorter on runtime but I don't think it should've been at the cost of those slower, lingering moments.
The music, all rap and there is plenty of it, plays its beats really well. Its the sign that something's about to give, a revelation is about to happen and in its element, when things are in full aplomb. As much the background score as the songs - the music is as much a character as Ranveer himself. Its not all great beats though. There are a few side turns that the film could've and should've completely avoided. In a world full of struggles there are too many good Samaritans - not sure how true to life that is. And then there's the ending - which am sure will have its critics. But those are niggles.
In a world of pretentious, over the top cinema - Gully Boy is something real. From the markedly unglamorous introduction of its protagonist(s) to the slums of Mumbai, to the rap itself - its all sincere, original and very fresh. Hats off to Zoya Akhtar to have taken up such content and given it such careful treatment. Gully Boy makes his mark and leaves something with you.
