Gully boy

*ing: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt

Rated:5/10

So, if you don’t have any angst in life; if you are a happy go lucky person without rage or resentment at anything, would you still relate to Gully Boy? If you are past the age for rap and the anger and aggression it spews, will you like Gully Boy? Most probably not and definitely not in the long form that Zoya Akhtar presents the story of her rapper.

Despite the realism around youth frustrations and existential problems of the not so rich Dharavi populations, the film stretches the limits of storytelling much too farther than required. Despite Ranveer Singh’s stellar performance, the monotony of his journey gets to you in ways that it should not have.

The entire culture of rap, we understand, is largely underground (why I wonder) and encompasses all the negativities of growing in a modern unequal ills-ridden society.

As Murad, whose cubicled and claustrophobic existence complements his push to the entire rap scene budding in the depressing alleyways of the slum, Ranveer delivers well. He is aptly irreverent, simmering with potent anger, portrays the frustrations in a menacing and contained manner.

And yet the film has gaps that stare at you with queries writ large on the efficacy of such a long film sparsely sequenced.

Coming to the lyrics and the film’s anthem Apna time ayega showcases the rage hallowed with hope and reconciliation with the circumstances as are the other rap contests that brought out the applause from the youngsters in the hall.

Overall, the film could have been shorter, better sequenced and more happening, despite the crackling chemistry that Ranveer shares with his friends, his music and his girlfriend Alia Bhatt, who incidentally is the sunshine in this dark and unforgiving film.