Boy! He’s having the time of his life

Nonika Singh

Agar sab comfortable hote toh rap nahi hota… that’s rap for you, put in simple words to make you understand how rap is the voice of rebellion and angst.  Perhaps, the underground rap scene is too complex to be decoded in a Bollywood film. 

But when Zoya Akhtar decides to tell us rap to riches story, inspired by rap artists Naezy and Divine, who rose from nowhere to find a place under the sun, she humanises it, tellingly, engagingly and in the most heart-warming manner. Those who faulted her for focusing on ultra-rich in Dil Dhadakne Do can take a break.

Here she takes you right into heart of the underprivileged— Dharavi slum. One of the inhabitants is young and restless Murad. Son of a driver, he refuses to dovetail his dreams to his reality. He would rather change his sachaai. How his passion to rap materialises is the stuff Zoya’s spunky and celebratory film is made of. Without unnecessarily dwelling on the miseries, first half builds Murad’s personal arc; his autocratic father (Vijay Raaz as always in a fine cameo), his fiery girlfriend Safeena (Alia Bhatt), who pounces upon anyone who dares to look at her childhood sweetheart.

Without saying so, Zoya contrasts two women in Murad’s life. On one side is the subservient mother and on the other is spitfire girlfriend who has the gumption to take charge of her destiny. Of course, Gully Boy written by two women writers Reema Kagti and Zoya herself is no women-centric tale but as the title tells is centred on this Gully Boy and the rap culture. 

The rap scenes are well construed. Even if you are no hip hop lover, the rap battles, the cheeky and cocky lyrics and what they stand for has you invested and interested. Music by a bevy of musicians is undeniably the highpoint. Indeed, the film takes poetic license and throws in some contrivances too. Yet, despite the simple attempt to iron out obstacles in Murad’s life, the journey of the rap artiste tugs at your heartstrings.  

Ranveer Singh as the Gully Boy simply rocks.  You see his vulnerability, you empathise with his seething angst and you applaud when he dreams bigger than his immediate harsh surroundings would allow. Known for his over the top energy, here he channelises it in just the right direction with just the right quotient of emotion, tenderness and rapping skill. 

By now we all know how masterfully he has sung the rap anthem Apna Time. Alia Bhatt’s hateli act is spot on too and this Valentine day outing has enough love potion. The chemistry between Ranveer and Alia is both palpable and infectious. Siddhant Chaturvedi plays a chunky part as MC Sher and adds to authenticity. Kalki Koechlin too exudes freshness.

Though one wishes she had a meatier part she gets to say some socially correct dialogues such as Tum kalakar ho, kahan se aaye ho kya fark padta hai. There are many more of such observations depicting Mumbai as two separate worlds yet connecting them adroitly, showing how those on the other side with the right spirit can crossover.

Ending on a high note with Apna time aayega reverberating in our ears, if the film is a shout out to Divine and Naezy, we want to give a shout out to Zoya. Her attempt to Asli hip hop se milaye Hindustan ko hits just the right octave and notes.

Of course, watch it you must, even if you are no hip-hop aficionado. For this musical is not just musically rich but nuanced in many more subtle ways.  

nonikasingh@tribunemail.com