Gully Boy has been receiving an immense amount of love and Zoya Akhtar has another film in her list which she has to beat, the other being ZNMD (strictly based on responses), the next time she decides to direct a movie again. For me, Gully Boy deserves all the love that it has been showered upon but there are areas where the film could have been so much more than it actually turned out to be. Despite being such a gem, I still came out with some of my desires (Murad) unsatiated.
Speaking of the positives, Gully Boy boasts of some of the finest cinematography and production design in recent times. Talking further about camera movement, I was blown away by how meticulously Zoya has collaborated with Jay Oza to slide cameras that convey the inner struggles of a character. The scene where Murad is trying to walk towards the club after being attracted to the rap being played (his dream) and how he then walks back after being calmly rejected by a bouncer. The initial camera movements are slow that speaks about how the enchanted world engulfs you with a leisurely pace and when the reality strikes you hard, you just go back to being you with a reluctance (displayed by fast-moving and slightly shaky camera panning) and in a quicker time that it took to reach you there. The idea of the film is beautifully established since a mere movement of the hand by the bouncer is enough to let Murad his dream go since he is aware of what lies beyond once he starts to resist the reality. Another aspect of cinematography that blew me away was the meeting point of Alia and Ranveer. You do not get to see the surroundings until right before the interval. What we notice is a bridge over garbage that is metaphorical to what these individuals are trying to do. In between a song, you see Murad and Safeena sitting inside the train with two distinctive colours of background lighting (blue for Murad and Yellow for Safeena) explaining their classes how they have merged them together. The point where he is sitting inside the car (lights being reflected off the smooth surface of the vehicle denoting how his life is the one that is destined to be big) and mouths 'Apna Time Aayega' was pointed out by someone and that is where the brilliance of the makers lie. The song 'Mere Gully Mein' just comprises the sheer awesomeness of the makers. Amidst all of this, the aesthetics are on point, be it the lanes of slums or the rap battleground.
Diving deeper into the bridge scene, the storytelling by Zoya keeps informing you of what is to come and all you have to do is catch onto the clues. Safeena leaves the bridge and Murad is too careless to notice her insecurities and walks away from the other side. It culminates to a mini break-up. Or the part where Moeen is seen involving kids into drug business and how that becomes a major plot point and another reason for Murad to win that competition. Another thing that comes to my mind is the train scene where Safeena takes a dig at Murad's friend and eventually does that again to take Murad back. These are little moments but the brilliance of Zoya and Kagti made sure that they weren't there for the sake of it. Another bit that I loved was when MC Sher rejects Murad's offer to sing his lyrics saying he does not convey anybody else's life story. This is Zoya's wee homage to art and true artists. It is your own experiences and understanding that brings out the art in you and catering to a process outside your own framework might drive you towards the craft but can never elicit the energy that just about helps you cross the line. (Tamasha made filmmakers and 3 Idiots, cameramen)
In terms of the art of acting, I saw Murad throughout the film. Compared to his portrayal of Khilji (which was hugely appreciated and I felt I saw traits of Ranveer which was a letdown), this is a film that brings out the actor in him. Alia as Safeena makes you wonder the powerhouse of talent that she is. You just get to see another version of a human breakdown in her performance. The other star cast has been spoken about and I do not feel the need to add any more to that although my appreciation towards Kalki keeps growing by leaps and bounds. Zoya has pulled off the best ensemble cast in a film for me. I sincerely hope none of them gets typecasted and we get to see more and more of them.
The finale of this wonderful movie was, however, a letdown for me. None of the characters in the film is looking to find themselves or getting into something; they already have the talent and the balance (and relationships) but do not know what to do with it. The film starts off at a random point in each character's life and all you see is the current part of their lives, like a continuum. You get to know where they are coming from but you, as an audience, are left to make conclusions about it. Concluding the film in such a way was a total letdown for me. The final few minutes of the film, after Apna Time Aayega, were not necessary, as per my opinion. It would have been better had it been left to us (as was the case throughout) to guess what happens after. The journey should not have come to an end. Although they did try to cover up by cutting to the end credits after Murad asks the crowd about their demands; I, personally, felt it wasn't necessary. The movie is a journey of desires and desires are never fulfilled since, like our genes, one gives birth to another.
Additionally, the two scenes that shook me were Aftab hitting Razia and Murad seeing kids packing the drugs. However, it also made me realise how soft the rest of the moments were when it comes to depicting the harsh realities of the slums. On the contrary, I was okay with the film until those two scenes appeared since I believe people tend to, subconsciously, make peace with how screwed up their lives are. The dichotomy did not go down well for me.
That being said, Gully Boy still triumphs and the flaws that I found can never outweigh the plusses of the film. This is a gem that needs to be nurtured and appreciated. More power to Zoya and Kagti for making this unprecedented musical and introducing India to Asli Hip-Hop. I cannot wait for what she does next. The landscape of Indian cinema is changing. We are probably not seeing it since our desires keep multiplying. The journey continues.
The finale of this wonderful movie was, however, a letdown for me. None of the characters in the film is looking to find themselves or getting into something; they already have the talent and the balance (and relationships) but do not know what to do with it. The film starts off at a random point in each character's life and all you see is the current part of their lives, like a continuum. You get to know where they are coming from but you, as an audience, are left to make conclusions about it. Concluding the film in such a way was a total letdown for me. The final few minutes of the film, after Apna Time Aayega, were not necessary, as per my opinion. It would have been better had it been left to us (as was the case throughout) to guess what happens after. The journey should not have come to an end. Although they did try to cover up by cutting to the end credits after Murad asks the crowd about their demands; I, personally, felt it wasn't necessary. The movie is a journey of desires and desires are never fulfilled since, like our genes, one gives birth to another.
Additionally, the two scenes that shook me were Aftab hitting Razia and Murad seeing kids packing the drugs. However, it also made me realise how soft the rest of the moments were when it comes to depicting the harsh realities of the slums. On the contrary, I was okay with the film until those two scenes appeared since I believe people tend to, subconsciously, make peace with how screwed up their lives are. The dichotomy did not go down well for me.
That being said, Gully Boy still triumphs and the flaws that I found can never outweigh the plusses of the film. This is a gem that needs to be nurtured and appreciated. More power to Zoya and Kagti for making this unprecedented musical and introducing India to Asli Hip-Hop. I cannot wait for what she does next. The landscape of Indian cinema is changing. We are probably not seeing it since our desires keep multiplying. The journey continues.
