Indian cinema trying to replicate a success story has become quite a hackneyed theme.
In this scenario, though based on a true story, Gully Boy offers a fresh approach, a fresh story and is different from all the movies (biopics being the latest trend) that get churned out regularly.
Apart from the odd Lootera in the beginning days of his acting, Ranveer is known more for his loud expressions, attire and persona.
In Gully Boy he has proved he can also underplay and do it well. The movie is about the underdog and pursuit of his dreams. When I heard this one-liner, my reaction was a yawn…so, what’s new?
What’s new, however, is its treatment by director Zoya Akhtar and execution by the lead actor, Ranveer Singh.
The hero doesn’t portray the typical larger-than-life persona. His no make-up look shows him as a very real person. The body language accentuates the humble demeanor he displays when in the presence of his employer, (eyes bend down, speaking in controlled voice).
Ranveer is accepting of his vulnerabilities and makes mistakes just like you and I do. He witnesses a deep rich-poor divide when he works as a temporary driver to his rich employer, yet there is no bitterness in him…. only a quiet note to himself ‘apna time aayega’ (my time will come). He defies his father who believes that they are born for and meant to serve the rich meekly all through their lives. Despite his poverty, Ranveer exhibits a strong set of values, standing by his friends, his mother…
The movie is filmed in Dharavi, the famed slums of Mumbai. Zoya speaks of the humdrum of life; of how the lead pair of Ranveer and Alia meet unknown to their parents; of their daily commute together in the local train; of their respective lower middle-class households; of Alia studying to become a doctor. All this is shown in a very matter-of-fact way without belittling the people of Dharavi or their surroundings.
Ranveer, on the other hand, is clueless about his life and its goal. He is happy penning lyrics for rap songs. Life has its plans when he happens to meet Siddhant Chaturvedi (an Emcee himself) who nudges him into singing (or is it called rapping?).
I don’t understand rap much but what I can empathise with is the yearning in the mind of a young boy who is from an impoverished background and hopes to make it big one day. Alia adds the subtle counterfoil to this ambitious Ranveer.
The movie could be considered as a take-off from where 3 idiots left. it will appeal more to the suppressed lot and not to the middle & upper middle class where lot of us have already allowed our children’s dreams to take wing.
Chaturvedi adds greatly to the energy but seems, unfairly, to be left out of the so-far-shared success journey towards the end. What could distract you is his uncanny resemblance to Shahid Kapoor.
I loved the simple synergy in this movie. One need not get unduly stressed wondering who is backstabbing who. The emotions of anger, happiness, friendship are never camouflaged. At 153 minutes, especially post interval, the film does drag a bit though.
I’d rate it a 3.5/ 5.
In this scenario, though based on a true story, Gully Boy offers a fresh approach, a fresh story and is different from all the movies (biopics being the latest trend) that get churned out regularly.
Apart from the odd Lootera in the beginning days of his acting, Ranveer is known more for his loud expressions, attire and persona.
In Gully Boy he has proved he can also underplay and do it well. The movie is about the underdog and pursuit of his dreams. When I heard this one-liner, my reaction was a yawn…so, what’s new?
What’s new, however, is its treatment by director Zoya Akhtar and execution by the lead actor, Ranveer Singh.
The hero doesn’t portray the typical larger-than-life persona. His no make-up look shows him as a very real person. The body language accentuates the humble demeanor he displays when in the presence of his employer, (eyes bend down, speaking in controlled voice).
Ranveer is accepting of his vulnerabilities and makes mistakes just like you and I do. He witnesses a deep rich-poor divide when he works as a temporary driver to his rich employer, yet there is no bitterness in him…. only a quiet note to himself ‘apna time aayega’ (my time will come). He defies his father who believes that they are born for and meant to serve the rich meekly all through their lives. Despite his poverty, Ranveer exhibits a strong set of values, standing by his friends, his mother…
The movie is filmed in Dharavi, the famed slums of Mumbai. Zoya speaks of the humdrum of life; of how the lead pair of Ranveer and Alia meet unknown to their parents; of their daily commute together in the local train; of their respective lower middle-class households; of Alia studying to become a doctor. All this is shown in a very matter-of-fact way without belittling the people of Dharavi or their surroundings.
Ranveer, on the other hand, is clueless about his life and its goal. He is happy penning lyrics for rap songs. Life has its plans when he happens to meet Siddhant Chaturvedi (an Emcee himself) who nudges him into singing (or is it called rapping?).
I don’t understand rap much but what I can empathise with is the yearning in the mind of a young boy who is from an impoverished background and hopes to make it big one day. Alia adds the subtle counterfoil to this ambitious Ranveer.
The movie could be considered as a take-off from where 3 idiots left. it will appeal more to the suppressed lot and not to the middle & upper middle class where lot of us have already allowed our children’s dreams to take wing.
Chaturvedi adds greatly to the energy but seems, unfairly, to be left out of the so-far-shared success journey towards the end. What could distract you is his uncanny resemblance to Shahid Kapoor.
I loved the simple synergy in this movie. One need not get unduly stressed wondering who is backstabbing who. The emotions of anger, happiness, friendship are never camouflaged. At 153 minutes, especially post interval, the film does drag a bit though.
I’d rate it a 3.5/ 5.
