Gully Boy : Gamut of Emotions, Rest Is just The Backdrop ?

Contrary to the popular notion of Zoya Akhtar being an "Elite Class" Filmmaker, Gully Boy is set in Ghetto Streets of Mumbai. The story of an underdog with nonconformist aspirations, the film showcases an unfamiliar subculture that is starting to thrive in Mumbai. Ranveer Singh plays the Protagonist, Murad, who is likeable precisely because he does not fit the template of the macho, misogynist rapper: he is diffident, hardworking, with a style in personal grooming that could almost be called metrosexual. Alia Bhat is playing his Violently jealous Love-Interest.

Though Vijay Raaz's character, father of Murad, can be seen as a direct opposer of Murad's Aspirations in the trailer. But, nonconformist aspirations have opposition from varied sections of Society viz. Traditions, Culture, System etc. it would be interesting to see whose approval would mark conclusion to the story of Murad in Gully Boy, His Father or Society?

Ever since the release of first Teaser, Gully Boy has garnered much buzz around Authentic Hip-Hop, not just among hip-hop lovers. Hip-hop became a known word in the streets of India, which was earlier under stealth mode. If Gully Boy works at the box-office, it can initiate the process of making hip-hop part of mainstream music in India. The movie is all set to have Theatrical Release this week,14th Feb 2019, and had the first screening on 9th Feb at Berlin film festival 2019.

Some would say, and accurately, that music is one of the most interesting aspects of the film. Conservative old-timers might insist that rap and hip-hop isn’t Indian music at all, but the film doesn’t cater to that sensibility anyway. Neither does the music. The soundtrack features the work of many musicians and MCs, including Divine, Naezy, Rishi Rich, Jasleen Royal, Ishq Bector and MC Altaf. Some of the tracks, such as Apna Time Aayega and Asli Hip Hop, have become widely popular.