'Gully Boy' and the legacy of 'Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro'
5 years, 8 months ago

'Gully Boy' and the legacy of 'Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro'

The Hindu  

In a scene in Saeed Mirza’s National Award winning film Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, the protagonist Salim walks down the deserted lanes of his neighbourhood with his friends and partners-in-crime, Bira and Abdul, when the trio is roughly reprimanded by a cop for loitering. Exactly three decades on, in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, another Muslim boy from Dharavi turns these words into a rousing rap anthem. Revisiting Salim Langde on its 30th anniversary, and soon after Gully Boy, it is interesting to look beyond this shared prophetic catchphrase, and focus on what the two films reveal about each filmmaker’s politics — or lack thereof. Set in the aftermath of the disastrous closure of the Bombay textile mills, in a rapidly communalising city that saw the rise of the Shiv Sena,Salim’s story is an essential primer to understand the Mumbai that Gully Boy ’s Murad is born into and feels so trapped within. If there is an echo of Salim’s plight in Gully Boy, it is reflected in one of the film’s most interesting characters, Moeen, Murad’s hustler friend.

Identity Muslim Salim Boy Murad Mirza Gully Boy Gully Moeen Salim Langde Mat Ro  pe  religious  langde  films  characters  boy  murad  identity  muslim  legacy  mat  ro  salim  gully  life

History of this topic

Interview: Vijay Maurya, screenwriter: ‘Cinema needs talent and temperament’
2 years, 7 months ago

Interview: Vijay Maurya, screenwriter: ‘Cinema needs talent and temperament’

Hindustan Times  

Well, that was a really long time ago! When Tumhari Sulu was being made, Suresh Triveni, who’s the director of the film called me and said that he has a film approved and he has written a draft of the script but there was something he could see lacking in the film. Though, let’s say, I am writing something from …

The ‘Gehraiyaan’ script inspired my lyrics, says Ankur Tewari
2 years, 11 months ago

The ‘Gehraiyaan’ script inspired my lyrics, says Ankur Tewari

The Hindu  

The Deepika Padukone-Siddhant Chaturvedi-Ananya Panday starrer Gehraiyaan is set for February 11 release and the video of the title track ‘T u marz hai dawa bhi; Par aadat hai humein..’ gives a glimpse into the core subject of forbidden relationships. For lyricist Ankur Tewari, the song was inspired “totally by what the script asked for”. ‘You are my medicine, and …

Ranveer Singh reveals how his character Murad from Gully Boy is so similar to him
4 years, 7 months ago

Ranveer Singh reveals how his character Murad from Gully Boy is so similar to him

India TV News  

The 2019 film Gully Boy, directed by Zoya Akhtar, followed the dreams of rapper Murad, played by Ranveer Singh while Alia Bhatt played Murad’s girlfriend. Ranveer, who has stamped his presence as a superstar of the industry with back to back blockbusters like "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela", "Dil Dhadakne Do", "Bajirao Mastani", "Padmaavat" and "Simmba" among many others, said that …

Meet Delhi’s own gully boy who says apna time aayega
4 years, 10 months ago

Meet Delhi’s own gully boy who says apna time aayega

Hindustan Times  

Persistence is the key to turning your dreams into reality. I told him, ‘Main aapka bahut bada fan hoon’, aur Ikka paaji ne kaha, ‘Main tera fan hoon’. I liked the movie, but I feel that the credit for bringing rap to India goes to Ikka paaji and Honey Singh.” However, following his passion wasn’t a cakewalk for Sumit. Logon …

Gully Boy deleted scene shows Ranveer Singh take on classist south Bombay boys. Watch
4 years, 11 months ago

Gully Boy deleted scene shows Ranveer Singh take on classist south Bombay boys. Watch

Hindustan Times  

Excel Movies has shared an unseen scene from their critically acclaimed film from last year, Gully Boy. The hilarious scene shows lead actor Ranveer Singh take on some south Bombay boys with his wit. The film drew inspiration from the lives of Mumbai rappers Vivian Fernandes aka Divine and Naved Shaikh aka Naezy and revolves around the underground rap movement …

Why Gully Boy missed the Oscar
5 years ago

Why Gully Boy missed the Oscar

Deccan Chronicle  

Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy has been booted out of the Oscar race. Zoya Akhtar may deny it until she goes blue in the face, but Gully Boy is clearly inspired by Curtis Hanson’s 2002 film 8 Mile. 8 Mile’s Jimmy ‘B-Rabbit’ Smith and Murad from Gully Boy are both from the ghetto, struggling to steady and support their voices as …

The real-life 'Gully Boy' behind Zoya Akthar's smash hit
5 years, 6 months ago

The real-life 'Gully Boy' behind Zoya Akthar's smash hit

The Hindu  

There is a moment in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy when Murad asks Sky why she is interested in him. This idea is reinforced in a new documentary titled Gully Life: The Story of Divine where Zoya Akhtar appears in person, no longer having to speak through fictional characters. Only art does that.” Then and now Akhtar is talking about rapper …

Charting Gully Boy's impact on Mumbai's hip-hop scene — from new record labels to bringing the genre into the limelight
5 years, 9 months ago

Charting Gully Boy's impact on Mumbai's hip-hop scene — from new record labels to bringing the genre into the limelight

Firstpost  

It’s been almost two months since the release, and success, of Gully Boy so I thought it would be a good time to write about just how much of an impact the film has had on the hip-hop scene in Mumbai, from which it was inspired. If you look at Gaana and JioSaavn, widely regarded as the two biggest audio-streaming …

Gully Boy gave us great push but we shouldn't be dependent on it: DIVINE
5 years, 9 months ago

Gully Boy gave us great push but we shouldn't be dependent on it: DIVINE

India TV News  

Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy brought Mumbai's underground hip-hop scene to the mainstream and rapper DIVINE whose life, along with rapper Naezy, inspired the film says they should now make use of the recognition and not be "dependent" on it. DIVINE says, thanks to the film, the artistes aren't "alien anymore" and are now in the mainstream, with hip-hop reaching all …

Zoya Akhtar confirms Gully Boy sequel. Will Ranveeer Singh, Alia Bhatt return?
5 years, 10 months ago

Zoya Akhtar confirms Gully Boy sequel. Will Ranveeer Singh, Alia Bhatt return?

Hindustan Times  

Director Zoya Akhtar has confirmed that a sequel to her hit film Gully Boy is currently being scripted. And another film exploring the theme is being scripted and planned.” Gully Boy is based on the lives of rappers Divine and Naezy and is set in Mumbai’s rap music scene. “It would have been a bit of a culture shock for …

Zoya Akhtar explains why Vijay Raaz’s Gully Boy character deserves sympathy: ‘He’s operating out of fear’
5 years, 10 months ago

Zoya Akhtar explains why Vijay Raaz’s Gully Boy character deserves sympathy: ‘He’s operating out of fear’

Hindustan Times  

Filmmakers Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have delivered two impressive projects in less than a month. Vijay Raaz plays Ranveer Singh’s abusive father in Gully Boy. In a recent chat with HT, the four filmmakers behind the series -- Zoya, Reema, Nitya Mehra and Alankrita Srivastava--talked about their new show and also about Gully Boy, particularly about one character that …

The roots of a cult classic
5 years, 10 months ago

The roots of a cult classic

Firstpost  

Gully Boy has its soul in Pyaasa, spirit in Deewar and is executed with the gritty style of Satya. — Bertolt Brecht Playwright Bertolt Brecht’s words on singing about dark times ring true every time agony becomes a work of art. As Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy hits the screens to rave reviews from critics in a music-laden work that smells …

Gully Boy: Voices That Must Be Heard
5 years, 10 months ago

Gully Boy: Voices That Must Be Heard

The Quint  

And how inherently normal these gaping differences are around us, that we’ve become indifferent to. This ability to showcase this on screen, to strip oneself of privilege and recognise the apathy of the ‘haves’ requires immense perception and drive to showcase these disparities as massive problems creating a steadily divided and unequal society. Voice that we all carry deep inside, …

From Gully Boy to Manzil, the father-child conflict in cinema is a commentary on the State's relationship with its citizens
5 years, 10 months ago

From Gully Boy to Manzil, the father-child conflict in cinema is a commentary on the State's relationship with its citizens

Firstpost  

The imagery of Gully Boy’s protagonist, Murad, breaking free of the shackles imposed on him by his father, and by extension, the State, through his writing, should not be lost upon us here. In filmmaker Zoya Akhtar’s recently released film Gully Boy, the protagonist Murad, played by Ranveer Singh, simmers with pent-up rage as his ambition to make it as …

Gully Boy steers clear of 'posh people angst' but also sacrifices Zoya Akhtar's signature satirical humour
5 years, 10 months ago

Gully Boy steers clear of 'posh people angst' but also sacrifices Zoya Akhtar's signature satirical humour

Firstpost  

A black cloud that has always followed filmmaker Zoya Akhtar is the allegation that she makes films about rich people and their struggles. The 20-minute short set the tone for Gully Boy, her recent full-length feature on the underground rap scene in Mumbai’s Dharavi slum. All these creative decisions have presumably turned Gully Boy from an exploitative exhibition of ‘poverty …

Gully Boy: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt's 'apolitical' views and edited Azadi song betray the film's authenticity
5 years, 10 months ago

Gully Boy: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt's 'apolitical' views and edited Azadi song betray the film's authenticity

Firstpost  

Gully Boy is not entirely a reflection of the difficulties most artists in the community face, opting to cherry-pick instances in order to move the plot forward. Divine, Naezy and Sez On The Beat’s ‘Mere Gully Mein’ will go down as a significant cultural moment — helping introduce the voice of a community that wasn’t given space in our cultural …

Gully Boy: Inside Zoya Akhtar's ode to Mumbai's 'asli' hip-hop subculture
5 years, 11 months ago

Gully Boy: Inside Zoya Akhtar's ode to Mumbai's 'asli' hip-hop subculture

Firstpost  

Loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rappers Naezy and DIVINE, Gully Boy tells the story of Murad and his quest for a sense of accomplishment and dignity. Kalakaar Main, Kal Ko Aakar Doon Yahi Hai Mera Dharm Meri Doosri Koi Jaat Na… Sun Rahe Hai Jo Mujhe Beshumaar Pyaar Unse Banata Geet Main Par Main Khud Bana Hoon Tumse …

‘Gully Boy’ review: a feel-good movie for the underdog in each of us
5 years, 11 months ago

‘Gully Boy’ review: a feel-good movie for the underdog in each of us

The Hindu  

There is something incredibly nuanced about Ranveer Singh in Gully Boy. “ Shabdon ka jwala meri bediyan pighlayega ” raps Murad and Gully Boy is born. Gully Boy Director: Zoya Akhtar Starring: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Vijay Raaz, Amruta Subhash, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Varma Run time: 155.48 minutes Storyline: Dharavi boy Murad Sheikh rises above his limited and …

Gully Boy movie review: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt are devastatingly good in Zoya Akhtar's ultimate anthem for the rebel
5 years, 11 months ago

Gully Boy movie review: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt are devastatingly good in Zoya Akhtar's ultimate anthem for the rebel

Firstpost  

For a film that is about protest music, Gully Boy is surprisingly quiet. In another scene, one of the most beautiful passages in writer-director Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy, Murad is driving the same mistress and her parents in their spacious, gleaming sedan one night. Set in Mumbai’s underground rap scene, Gully Boy tells the story of the impoverished Murad’s journey …

Gully Boy movie review: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt elevate Zoya Akhtar's nuanced drama
5 years, 11 months ago

Gully Boy movie review: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt elevate Zoya Akhtar's nuanced drama

Deccan Chronicle  

Director: Zoya Akhtar Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Raaz, Amruta Subhash, Vijay Varma, Sheeba Chaddha and Siddhant Chaturvedi. But with hard work, there are no limits.” Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy is a film that’s based on this simple but intimate premise. The way Ranveer Singh plays his character is really impressive and it's one major factor that …

Gully Boy is an emotional and grandiose film that has flaws but ultimately lives up to its razzmatazz
5 years, 11 months ago

Gully Boy is an emotional and grandiose film that has flaws but ultimately lives up to its razzmatazz

Firstpost  

Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy greatly lives up to its razzmatazz. In her second outing at the Berlinale, Bhatt came along with director Zoya Akhtar and Ranveer Singh and brought Gully Boy to show the Berliners Bollywood’s first hip-hop musical. Gully Boy traces Murad’s journey from Dharavi’s streets to open mic stages and finally to perform as an opening act for …

Gully Boy's 'Apna Time Ayega' sees Ranveer Singh finetune his rapping skills with a Mumbaiyya slang-laden song
6 years ago

Gully Boy's 'Apna Time Ayega' sees Ranveer Singh finetune his rapping skills with a Mumbaiyya slang-laden song

Firstpost  

The first song ‘Apna Time Ayega’ from Zoya Akhtar’s coming-of-age musical Gully Boy dropped on 14 January. ‘Apna Time Ayega’ is laden with Mumbaiyya slang and set to a catchy tune composed by Divine and Dub Sharma. The song also borrows from Divine’s latest release ‘Teesri Manzil.’ ‘Tu nanga his toh aaya hai, kya ghanta le kar jaayega?’ Ranveer belts …

Twitter Applauds Gully Boy Trailer, Says Haven’t Seen Anything Like This Before in Our Cinema
6 years ago

Twitter Applauds Gully Boy Trailer, Says Haven’t Seen Anything Like This Before in Our Cinema

News 18  

Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt starrer s trailer has just dropped and Twitter is all praise for it. While actors like Rahul Bose said, “Haven’t seen anything like this before in our cinema. Good luck, Zoya and team!” A fan pointed out at Ranveer’s versatility for working on projects like Padmaavat, Simmba and now Gully Boy. Gully Boy is loosely based …

Gully Boy trailer: Ranveer Singh rises from the streets to the stage in Zoya Akhtar's coming-of-age film
6 years ago

Gully Boy trailer: Ranveer Singh rises from the streets to the stage in Zoya Akhtar's coming-of-age film

Firstpost  

The trailer of Zoya Akhtar’s highly-awaited coming-of-age musical Gully Boy dropped on 9 January amidst growing frenzy around the film. Starring Ranveer Singh as a rapper and Alia Bhatt as a medical student, the film traces the rise of Mumbai-based rappers Divine and Naved Shaikh aka Naezy from the gullies to becoming the ‘voice of the streets’. The trailer then …

Can Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy match up to these best rap movies of recent times?
6 years ago

Can Ranveer Singh’s Gully Boy match up to these best rap movies of recent times?

Hindustan Times  

Movies and television shows about rap music are inherently rebellious - the beats, the fury; they’re all directed towards an archetypal oppressor. The white policemen that might be the adversaries in a story about black Los Angeles youth could transform into a different shade in Gully Boy, the upcoming film starring Ranveer Singh. Not only must it introduce ‘asli hip …

Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt share first Gully Boy poster. Check it out here
6 years ago

Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt share first Gully Boy poster. Check it out here

Hindustan Times  

Actors Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt have shared the first poster for their upcoming film, Gully Boy, directed by Zoya Akhtar. Ranveer Singh plays a street rapper in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy. “He’s the best man to do the movie and he’s killed it.” Gully Boy was recently announced as being a part of the Berlin International Film Festival. Co-produced …

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