Zoya Akhtar’s film is a story about a guy who rises from the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai to become one of India’s best Rappers. It is loosely based on the underground street rappers Divine and Naezy. This movie is a delight to watch if you are a music lover or someone who is passionate about unconventional career paths, this will definitely move you and push you forward to make your dreams come true. The story revolves around a guy named Murad which is played by Ranveer Singh, whose dreams are bigger than his realities and someone who does not believe in Slumdog Millionaires. He believes in telling his story through his music, his rap. There are many layers to the film: its about Murad’s coming of age discovery of what he is and what he truly stands for. It’s about finding something that makes you alive, its about finding one’s expression, in this case which is poetry and rap. It also has a beautiful love story and in some ways a letter to the city of dreams – Mumbai, where skyscrapers overlook the slums of the city and everyone is rewarded in some way or the other.
Murad is a “slum-dog”. He is caught in a cycle of poverty. His rap defines his circumstances and his home as a hellhole. His snappish father (played by Vijay Razz) has brought home his second wife without considering his family’s feelings. He is a chauffeur who is in hope that education is the only medium which will set his son free, His principle conflict is his son’s “khwaab” – dream and his “ aaju baaju ki asliyat” the reality around him is something that he never stops reminding him, but his son has other ideas and aspirations which he wants to fulfill. He measures his life by waiting for his childhood friend and lover Safina (which is played by Alia Bhatt ) is a feisty yet ambitious girl who wants to break the barriers of the society and live on her own terms. While waiting for her to come he starts humming to himself “ Apna Time Aayega” . Away from his classes in college and responsibilities that his family has put on him, he pours his heart on sheets of papers, his escape from his reality and a doorway to his dreams. His rap is about his abusive father, his mother’s plight, seeking freedom, finding himself, rising from any circumstance, his dreams and his realities. The words are his. But the beat is missing.
Then enters MC Sher (which is played by Siddhant Chaturvedi). Murad falls head over heels in love with this rapper when he comes to his college. He starts to follow every moment of his on Facebook and goes underground. This is a place where rap battles take place in this world of fight club the only weapon is rap. Murad blends in this scene seamlessly and he knows his future is about to change. He knew this was his calling. He is also supported by Sky (played by Kalki Koechlin) who is a student in Berklee School of Music. She is the one who helps Murad and MC Sher to record their First Music Video.
Despite being overlong, this film is undeniably entertaining and is a portrait of a robust life forged by adversity, tenacity and the courage to dream. The dialogues, the lingo, punchlines, they’re real. The lyrics, the beats, all scream for revolution. Azadi. The makers of the film have done a great job at creating an immersive cinematic experience. Undoubtedly, the main star of the movie is its music. Many rappers and artists came together in this film to give the best soundtrack possible to showcase the lives of struggling rappers. If Ranveer Singh is life of the movie, then the Music is the soul of Gully Boy. Some sharp observations about the society and the minorities, the world we live in and the place that it is becoming for the people with lesser means, talks about beauty standards, dreams and feminism – This movie has a lot to offer and a Must Watch for people who think that their circumstances cannot limit their spheres of dreams!
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