'Gully Boy' review: Gritty, graceful and gunning for change

Ranveer Singh shines in the latest venture: a passionate and realistic tale of a poor college kid with a knack for rap

KARACHI: At times, during the first half of Gully Boy, you will ask yourself why. The film does not hit you as hard as it promised. So, you sigh. Interval. Popcorn and soda. Back in the cinema. Ranveer Singh as Murad hits the rock bottom and picks up the mic.

He hisses at and disses his bullies and finds himself in and out of the gully. Enough with the rhyming. But that’s when you realise the slow burn buildup of his journey.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

By the climax, you are singing, waving, laughing and crying with him. That’s where Gully Boy succeeds: in telling the story of a poor college kid for whom each day is a struggle for survival. The film explores the power of passion and dreams caught in a whirlwind of plain and binding reality.

One might say it’s nothing new.

We have witnessed this story being told countless times in all forms of narrative art…Rags to riches - from the gully corner to the big stage; from neighbourhood cricket to a stadium pitch; the ultimate rise of the underdog.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

But there is certain social-realist awareness to Zoya Akhtar’s film, besides the fact that it’s based on the real-life stories of Mumbai rappers Divine and Naezy. It presents not only an individualistic, personal struggle of a young aspiring musician but also paints a nuanced picture of life in a Muslim-majority slum in India.

It’s a fascinating look at the underground world of Murad. Akhtar balances the gravity of the character’s circumstances with the groovy brevity of the spitfire verses. However, Gully Boy – especially in the first half – lacked urgency and seemed to fire in bursts, not unlike the rap verses it incorporates.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

It cools down and then picks it up again. Nonetheless, it features some of the more powerful scenes directed by Akhtar, such as the one where foreign tourists invade the privacy of slum-houses or the fight between Singh and his problematic father (brilliantly played by Vijay Raaz).

Even though most of the raps are based around disses and insults (in the rap battles), the music also explores ideas of freedom, jingoism, class divide, communal connection and brotherhood, as well as personal struggle.

Therefore, it captures the true spirit and essence of rap - a genre which is practically a manifestation of perpetual subversion, challenging conventions and the status quo.

PHOTO: INDIAN EXPRESS

Singh shines as Murad, nearly losing himself in the character. In Gully Boy, he’s not here to serenade you like in his previous ventures. He’s there to wage war and has exchanged his lute for hard-hitting lyrics.

The only element that is lacking is a subtle transition in Murad’s character as he goes through the ups and downs of his life but that is more a criticism for the writing than Singh’s performance.

Alia Bhatt’s (as Safeena) screen time is limited but she emphatically demands attention in her scenes. Kalki Koechlin’s (Sky) extended appearance is always a welcome treat.

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Special mention goes to Amruta Subhash (as Murad’s mother Razia) who gives an excellent and nuanced performance. More than anything, hers is a character that keeps you grounded in the shackled reality of a broken family.

But our glorious censor board struck again though, making cuts that may not affect the narrative but definitely dilute a few scenes. However, that shouldn’t be a reason to miss out on this film.

SCREENGRAB

So, does Gully Boy break new ground? No. Is it as hard-hitting as it should have been? It’s not. But it serves as an amalgam of individual artistic expression as well as a constructivist piece of cinema. The film’s beauty lies in that it neatly provides social commentary through Murad’s personal self-expression.

Verdict: Go watch Gully Boy. Perhaps it’ll inspire you to make your ‘gully’ proud.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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