<strong>EXPECTATIONS</strong> When Zoya Akhtar announced <em>Gully Boy</em> with Ranveer Singh, there wasn't much known about what the film would bring on screen. Hence, it was surprise galore for the audiences when Ranveer Singh's rap number introduced the film through a teaser. Now after catching hold of the soundtrack there is another big surprise in store as there are an astonishing 18 songs in there. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-944920" src="https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Mere-Gully-Mein-Gully-Boy.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="405" /> <strong>MUSIC</strong> Ranveer Singh debuts as a rapper in real life as well, what with as many as five tracks against his name. Amkur Tiwari produced and Spitfire composed and written <strong><em>'Asli Hip Hop'</em></strong> is already a riot for the manner in which Ranveer goes about rendering this one. A hit amongst those who love the underbelly of rap, this is followed by Divine, Naezy and Sez on the Beat's 'Mere Gully Mein' which takes the whole excitement to the next level. It is riotous, ferocious and true to its genre, hence also ensuring very good recall value. Things turn a bit soft though when Ranveer goes on to narrate Javed Akhtar written poem <strong><em>'Doori'</em></strong>. Though this one is a short piece, one feels something is missing as the heart-warming moments had just begun. This is soon followed by a musical piece by Rishi Rich that has added lyrics by Divine. Though one doesn't see this one turning out to be a chartbuster like the first two songs, it should play on well in the film. The team also comes up with <strong><em>'Ek Hee Raasta'</em></strong> and the song adds on to the soundtrack like a scene in a film does to the narrative. Kaam Bhaari &amp; Ankur Tewari write <strong><em>'Kab Se Kab Tak'</em></strong> where latter pairs up with Karsh Kale to put together the composition. Voice of a female is heard in the soundtrack this time around with Vibha Saraf pairing up with Ranveer Singh. While the overall impact is there, the best is reserved for the flagship number <strong><em>'Apna Time Aayega'</em></strong> which is put to tune by Divine &amp; Ankur Tewari. Former's lyrics along with Dub Sharma are truly acidic and one can clearly hear the cry of the underprivileged who wants to do something really good in life. A clear cut chartbuster here. From this point on, Divine and Dub Sharma have a lot to offer in the soundtrack. Former writes lyrics for Chandrashekar Kunder aka Major C composed <strong><em>'Sher Aaya Sher'</em></strong> which is decent but not exemplary. However the ones that indeed makes a mark is their 'Azadi'. A cry of war for freedom from all the boundations, <strong><em>'Azadi'</em></strong> has in it to find some good traction over the next few days. As for Dub Sharma's solo effort <strong><em>'Jingostan'</em></strong> (which plays in two versions), it seems like a bit of noise to begin with but soon you get a hang of it for the sheer spirit that it comes with. When <strong><em>'Train Song'</em></strong> comes, you realize that there is indeed a heavy duty team coming together, what with Raghu Dixit &amp; Karsh Kale singing as well as composing the number along with Midival Punditz. In fact it is rather surprising to see as many as four lyricists collaborating for this one, what with Javed Akhtar, Karsh Kale, Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj joining hands. There is some 'thehrav' in the proceedings though with Jasleen Royal composing and singing <strong><em>'Jahaan Tu Chala'</em></strong> in her characteristic style. The overall effort is easy on ears as Aditya Sharma's lyrics are simple too and hence have a soothing effect. It is back to business though with Kaam Bhaari composing and writing a namesake number <strong><em>'Kaam Bhaari'</em></strong>. Since this is a new world of rap and something that is far away from being Bollywood, one takes time to adjust to this tune that has Ankur Tiwari pairing up as well. Soon after, he comes along with Mikey McCleary to compose<strong><em> 'Jeene Mein Aaye Maza'</em></strong>, a well-made number where he takes the centre-stage as a lyricist as well as singer. There is also an all-around effort by singer and lyricist Ace who pairs up with ishQ Bector in the music department to bring on <strong><em>'Har Gham Mein Khushi Hai'</em></strong>. The song fits in truly well for the genre that Gully Boy is promoting and hence it turns out to be a rather seamless experience. On the other hand there is Western-Punjabi collaboration next with Prem &amp; Hardeep and putting together a really well composed <strong><em>'Goriye'</em></strong>. A fun number which actually has a Bollywood touch to it as well, it has Arjun, Blitz &amp; Desi Ma coming together with Kaka Bhaniawala and Bhinder Khanpuri. This one is a potential success too and should be unveiled really quick. The soundtrack concludes with Viveick Rajagopalan composed 'tapori' number <strong><em>'India 91'</em></strong> which again belongs to the slum setting that Gully Boy belongs to. There is a huge team of MC Altaf, MC TodFod, 100 RBH, Maharya and Noxious D coming together for this song and one ends up wondering about the real name of any one of these members. <strong>OVERALL</strong> If one has to define the music of <em>Gully Boy</em> in one word, it would be 'trippy'. There has been no precedence of such a soundtrack in Bollywood before and it could well turn out to be a trendsetter if expected by the audience. An experimental score, this one has a few songs in there which are potential chartbusters in the making. <strong>OUR PICK(S)</strong> <em>‘Apna Time Aayega’</em>, <em>‘Asli Hip Hop’</em>, <em>‘Mere Gully Mein’</em>, <em>‘Goriye’</em>, <em>‘Azadi’</em>

Gully Boy
U/A: Drama
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Ratings: 

What does it take to so gently bottle up an overflowing volcano like Ranveer Singh, into a completely subdued bloke like Murad? Who is yet someone with such seething anger within, wholly internalised, that you can almost sense his brain inhaling life and surroundings, and exhaling potent words of poetry, in response? It's the script/story, Gully Boy, of course.

Kya bolta hai, bhaay! Lead actor Singh, like this newspaper, grew up in the city this film is set in. He's perhaps, for the first time, playing a character so close to home, and yet so far. For it's also a city that so perennially lives in the cross-section of classes, that all it takes for you to see Bombay and Mumbai at once, is to draw your curtains wide, from any point in the bustling metropolis.

Singh's leading man Murad operates from right at that casual intersection - a college-going temp driver during day (or night), and an amateur rapper, 24x7. There's, on the one hand, plush interiors of high-rise Bombay. And, on the other, stuffy squalor of the city's lower-deck (worthy of poverty tourism), shot by Jay Oza, in a natural gold-dust palette - almost like a dream.

Around these two natural extremes, and with several layers between, Gully Boy is foremost a befitting tribute to Bombay - among very few places in the world where popular art has traditionally existed as possible exit-route for someone born into rags, or resigned to fate/naseeb.

A lot of the times, it's taken a full chawl/slum to raise a star (lyricist, composer, actor, name it). Besides, Internet has made showbiz redundant, making it possible for anyone to pole-vault into stardom, with growing hits, likes, and shares on social media - a fact that was equally well tackled, around a Baroda girl, in Advait Chandan's recent Secret Superstar (2017). And it's the same Internet providing access to inspirations, worldwide.

This is in that sense a global story with a Mumbai heart - totally bereft of any obvious, on-screen self-awareness. Only fair that it should come from director Zoya Akhtar (Luck By Chance, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara) who, if I'm not mistaken, first developed deep interest in filmmaking through Mira Nair's iconic Salaam Bombay! (1988).

Not one to make gender distinctions among directors, or indeed actors (talent's talent, of course), but I do feel it is Akhtar's deft touch that allows for the female lead character (25-year-old Alia Bhatt: astoundingly amazing, almost as always), and her life's story and insecurities, to take root, and equally flower within a film that is essentially centred on two Mumbai, local, raapchik Rap artistes.

And there's as much to be said about the fact that while the film entirely belongs to Singh, it's his co-rapper (brilliant debutant Siddhant Chaturvedi), who gets to walk around with all the swag instead. It's the interplay between the main and minor characters, spot-on twang, dialogues (by Vijay Maurya), and indeed a superb play-list (put together by Ankur Tewari) that truly makes this movie, the food of love - at 155 minutes, very much a long main course, too.

Maybe because I watched Gully Boy among an altogether Mumbai audience, or perhaps it would the same anywhere: Never have I observed folk at a press preview periodically break into loud claps during key dramatic sequences, especially given that the scenes have been quite subtly staged, in fact. This is a new kind of 'Angry Young Man' movie, in effect - seamlessly merging sub-culture with pop mainstream.

Also Read: From Scarlet Macaw to Unicorn - Ranveer Singh's flora and fauna inspired clothes are hilarious

People in my hall, or indeed outside it, would have first heard about a booming, Mumbai Rap/Hip-hop underground scene, with open-mic nights, and proper gigs at venues like Anti-social (also referenced in the pic), only a few years ago. It's almost at the same time that stand-up comedies in the city began to draw totally untested, raw greenhorns concentrating on the all-important self-expression - or content (which can't be taught) - and then, delivery (which can be learnt).

Rap, or Rhythm and Poetry, you can tell, similarly opens lines of (a very visceral form of) communication - between heartfelt (often antsy) words, thumping beats, and the crowds that instantly relate to both.

This film, as per its opening slate, is a "shout-out" to budding Mumbai stars Naezy (Naved Sheikh) and Divine (Vivian Fernandes). Their story, and of desi rap itself, is still unfolding, as we speak. When it's written in hindsight, I'm pretty sure, this film will be considered, the high-point, if not the turning point, for the genre, after all!

Also Read: Exclusive: Naezy on Gully Boy: People are looking at us like we're pioneers of Indian hip hop

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रणवीर सिंह (Ranveer Singh) की एक फोटो सोशल मीडिया पर काफी वायरल हो रही है, जिसमें वह 'मुराद' के लुक में दिखाई दे रहे हैं.

Zoya Akhtar's film won an unprecedented 13 awards, the most for any film at any Filmfare awards.

Zee Cine Awards were held sans audience.

While Pa Ranjith proved yet again to be the salt of the earth in his land mafia film, Zoya Akhtar took a haphazard route to make something that was hardly rooted in Asia's biggest slum, feels J Jagannath.