Gully Boy Review

Director Zoya Akhtar approaches with slightly different styles and techniques. Picking a bunch of talented actors with a strong character in a powerful story.

Now mix it with some really cool badass music (according to the theme) in her own unique way of storytelling - Delicious.

I have always admired Zoya's work. I think she's one of the directors who makes our favorite films and picks the stories which inspire us to follow our dreams, our passion which she reflects through her work.
But what makes her film look so beautiful - Production Design & Cinematography.
One makes the set, fills the screen and others capture it beautifully.

The elegant way of approaching the story and narrating the character's through the world which acquires on screen with beautiful locations and props on set was done by the Production Designer Suzanne Caplan Merwanji. She joins Farhan's debut film Dil Chahta Hai which is still in our hearts & then joins Zoya in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara before this one. She knows very well about the locations, the props that should be used to uplift the scene.

And the person who captures all this stuff brilliantly is Cinematographer Jay Oza who capturing films since ages his work from Jodha Akbar, Rang De Basanti, Raman Raghav, Ghoul, Made in Heaven, etc ..
He's an expert and an experienced one.
Due to this, we feel the richness of the scene and every shot looks more redolent.

[It's my dream to assist Zoya maybe one day I'll work with her]

I love the way how Zoya Akhtar opens her film focuses on the bad boy Moeen (Vijay Verma) one of the friends of Murad (Ranveer) who is the main lead instead. He's a badass guy like a thug with full attitude walking around the streets smoking as cool fuck. I really admire his talent, his attitude, the way he gets into the character is lovely to watch for. The shot of walking through the streets with that thug attitude by Vijay was awesome.

This is a story of a guy Murad with poor circumstances willing to be a Rapper or want to do something and not to end up like his father and struggles.

All heads off to Ranveer, he justifies with the character with so much innocence he brought on screens and delivered it with full honesty.

Even the makup, the scar of nails on Alia's head after fight looks real.

Then, there's a character name Safeena (Alia) deeply in love with Murad. She's an aspiring Doctor and wants to open her personal Clinic. She just can't share Murad with anyone. She's so possessive about him because he's her whole world despite the restrictions she comes up with her strict parents she used to meet Murad on a bridge or at a bus stop. I mean deciding a meeting point is an effective way to engage with the audience and now the Audience is willing to recognize the location where they meet, even the bathroom window.

Alia is so so good in this film as a possessive girlfriend even in such a small but strong role, she shows her class. She nailed it with what she got on paper. When she's on the screen you can't look around. I'll call this is the best performance of her after Raazi.

The Ranveer and Alia were so comfortable with each other like they were working for ages despite doing some Advertisements this is their first feature film together.
Both shares Charming chemistry with each other.

I sincerely thank Zoya for casting both Vijay's in such a strong role, recognizing their talents and providing them what they deserve. I also have a dream to approach Johnny Lever with a serious & strong role rather than in comedy just like they use Vijay Raaz in this. We all know how versatile and talented these guys are and can bring any role alive on the screens.

Siddhant Chaturvedi, A Bollywood debutant explodes on his debut. I don't know how he ends up in other roles but he lived this one with absolute honesty, fluency.
I mean he's just perfect for this role.

Kalki Koechlin as a sky is good as always with her short sweet role.

Amruta Subhash, I think she brings up to do such serious roles in most of the films just like Raman Raghav & Sacred Games.

The Safeena's mother played by Sheeba Chaddha a senior actor shows her acting skills in her small tight role beautifully.

Every single actor delivers their best, you just can't let go of anyone without praising them. They perform so well that the character comes alive and you can feel the emotions on screen.

Mostly, When Murad feels down he used to write poetries and the lyrics of the poetry match the exact situation he's dealing with and I'll bet that you'll like his poetries more than Farhan Akhtar's in ZNMD.

The beat, the music, the base to cover his poetry comes like a shadow on Sunny days cool, calm & comfortable.

Doing his father's job watching his reflection as a driver outside the hotel beside the car connects us with the emotions of Murad what he's feeling at that moment.

That long pause on Ranveer's face when he got insulted by his owner is really necessary and captured it effortlessly.

Watching everyone celebrating on New year's eve and feeling just like a man who doesn't have any place, any value in this rich world. He's just sitting all alone, blank, lost in the shinning Mercedes. Then he said :

& Then there's a line MC SHER comes up with when Murad shows his lyrics to him to Rap. He replied -

' Teri Kahani Tere Ko Nahi Bolni Toh Main Kayeko Bolu '

The 1st rap of Murad seems real when he follows MC SHER for a practice session. He comes up with the poetry and Instead of Rapping, he just stands and reads it nervously.

There's a scene when Murad calls Safeena to come upon her window and he is sitting on the stairs in front of the window and this is such an Iconic scene it doesn't have any beautiful walls but yet it looks slightly realistic and beautiful. Both talking onto the phone he's sitting on the stairs, she's on the window. He didn't climb up or do any unnecessary kinds of stuff just like in old Hindi Bollywood masala types. Yeah, he did climb but on another important scene where it is required to be up there with her. I liked the way they capture and respect the privacy of the characters.

On one scene when Murad is cheating on Safeena with Sky and in the sudden next scene Safeena is waiting at a bus stop for Murad which shot wide out shows the director's skill to convey us that the Murad is far away from her reach or cheating on her because this time camera opens wideout, no close upshot.

And even after lying to Safeena, Murad shot was also zoomed out which shows the depth of the scene.

The timing of the music is pretty amazing.
This type of movie needs a piece of solid music with really groovy and heavy bass and this film has it. The movie filled with a lot of meaningful & strong lyrics to sums up the situation.

That groaning dialogue delivered by Ranveer 

' Koi Dusra Mere Ko Batayega Main Kaun Hoon? '

If they end up at the final rap battle after the song Apna Time Aayega than I'll be justifiable but instead of ending there they step forward to give an emotional one.
It ends up on the stage where he is opening for Nas Concert.

All the public cheering him, his mom, his brother, and his dad standing on a front-row cheering him. Vijay Raaz with wet eyes watching his son on the stage in front of a large audience, Murad also feels the same for a second. That a heartbreak scene not that emotional one but I don't know I break down here and start crying maybe that the magic of the pure acting that we audience engage with the characters so deeply that we can feel their pain.

The background of the stage where he is standing was set up like the houses in chaul of Dharavi from where he belongs through lights and it looks so beautiful. The background portrays that a simple boy coming from the place like Dharavi and standing tall in front of everyone showcasing his talent, the pure talent what he deserves and ends it with the three-beat

BOOM ... BOOM ... BOOM

Special mentions to all the rappers, musicians and awesome lyrics writer. Thanks for giving us such an amazing experience.