IMDB Ratings: 6.4/10
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Sushant Singh
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Writers: Ali Abbas Zafar, Sanjay Masoom
Genres: Action | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller
Country: India
Language: Hindi | Bengali
Release Date: 14 February 2014
Music Director: Sohail Sen
Singers: Javed ali, Shadaab Faridi, Bappi Lahiri, K K, Neeti Mohan, Vishal Dadlani, Neha Bhasin, Shahid Mallya, Altamash Faridi, Sohail Sen, Kinga Rhymes, Monali Thakur, Arijit Singh
Gunday is the first release of 2014 from the prestigious banner of Yash Raj Films after the stupendous success of Dhoom 3, which has created a history. It is what that makes YRF one of the most prestigious banners in all over the world. Generally on Valentine Day we are generally expecting a romantic film like Kutch Kutch Hota hai or DDLJ, but this time an action thriller which is completely opposite to it is creating quite a buzz. With this the banner has once again proved that they are different and amazing too which can not only take the risks but deliver too.
Story Idea: It is a story of two buddies Bala(Arjun Kapoor) and Bikram(Ranveer Singh) with the backdrop of 1971 Bangladesh Independence war that rendered thousands homeless. It is the backdrop of film that introduces these two young boys to the hardships of life and makes them Kolkata’s Numero Duo gangsters of city’s coal mafia. Then there is an entry of Nandita played by Prtiyanka Chopra as a cabaret dancer who quickly becomes the eye-candy of both the friends. Soon there is a bitter rift between the two friends and what happens after it is the crux of story. Both the pals are distinguished by their traits, Bala (Arjun Kapoor) is hothead where as Bikram (Ranvisr singh) is a self-controlled practical person. Irrfan Khan as Satyajit Sarkar in an extended guest appearance is a tough talking cop on the trial to break both Bala and Bikram. Saurabh Shukla shines in its brief role as the unlucky lawyer assigned to make the boys somehow legal.
Review: The film is in many ways a tribute to the movies of 70s when stars like Amitabh Bachan, Shashi Kapoor , Dharmendra and Vinod Khanna are at their peak. Those films are full of bombastic dialogues and on each of their dialogue there is a cheer and whistling. The Calcutta setting provides this film a perfect backdrop with an excellent eye-catching cinematography. The climax which is captured in the coal- mines of Dhanbad reminds you the films like Kala Patthar and a bit of other movies of 80s. The director of movie Ali Abbas seems to be inspired by iconic Jai Veeru combination of Sholay presents both the boys as good initially who are driven by circumstances and end up on the wrong side of the tracks in adulthood. The film is promoted as bromance and action packed thriller which has all the Masala that keeps the moviegoers going through the length of the movie.
The film has rather a predictable plot with some twists and turns as there is not a new story idea behind this film but its treatment is fresh. Arjun Kapoor has an amazing screen presence where as Ranveer Singh’s character has lot of emotional ups and downs and he portrays his emotional and action avtar with equal sheen. Irrfan Khan belts out another brilliant performance. He is effective and impressive as ACP Satyajit Sarkar. The film is not a novice idea but despite its flaws Gunday is a watchable film.
Music Review: The music director of Gunday is given by music director Sohail Sen. The story of the film has a backdrop of 70s and the music of the film justifies its period. The album has 1o songs and including a rap, a classical, and a Bangla version of “Tune maari entry”. The album has songs for every genre and has songs for every mood and shows the versatility of young music director. The music lovers couldn’t ask for more.
