Gangster

I didn't expect myself to love this movie. But when I heard some rave reviews about it, and caught it on a late night show on TV, I watched it spellbound. A different and enthralling plot, fantastic performances by the actors, OUTSTANDING music, and fabulous cinematography and direction.

The acting was superb. Even Emraan Hashmi (who I cannot stand), did an above average job. Shiny Ahuja was flawless in his character. He showed every emotion and movement brilliantly without fail, and does not let you down for a single moment. However, the movie belongs to Kangana Ranaut. For someone making a debut, she was just fantastic. She seemed so comfortable and well-cast for the role that I cannot imagine anyone else doing this role, and to be honest I never would have thought this was her first film. She pulled off a very tricky role with ease, and I really liked her performance, there was something very real about it. Also, she did such a good job with her character, Simran, that it seems like she is like that in real life. Hopefully this isn't the case!

Performances aside, another thing that struck me hard was the music. I am more likely to enjoy a film if it has excellent music, and that is exactly what happened with Gangster. It is very impressive. Ya Ali, and Lamha Lamha are my favourite tracks, but I also enjoyed Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, Bheegi Bheegi, and Mujhe Mat Roko. In short, each song was amazing.

Gangster is a bit of a mix of a thriller, romance, crime, and drama. This is what makes it special - Anurag Basu has indeed done something much more worthwhile after "Murder".

I was literally on the edge of my seat throughout.

Loved every moment of watching this film, when the twist came to play had me on the corner of my seat! Not to mention the amount of tears I shed towards the end. Great story, amazingly portrayed. I think I've fallen in love with Shiny! I must say his character in the film really makes you feel for the guy.. the pain and his feelings, I was well touched in some scenarios of the film. The girl in the film was not only pretty but can act (thank god as shes a first timer). Would recommend this film to everyone. Has the romance but not the typical type that you would see in other films, thriller, mystery.. excellent. The music! it's an addiction to listen to Ya Ali and Bheegi Bheegi..

I always wonder how come a talented director called Anurag Basu making mediocre films viz. Murder/ Saaya/ Tumsa Nahi Dekha etc when he proved his mettle in TV so well. But with "Gangster" which is definitely his best till date he surely comes up on his own. Another thing, Anurag belongs to that rare species of new generation outside directors who are from small town with neither a film background nor any great film connection or even belonging to a highly privileged class, the descendants of which we see all around in film industry, but a modest struggler who climbed the steps of success with sheer hard work and determination and even fought with blood cancer to win back his life. Such passion is seen in his this work. A love story of underworld Gangster told from point of view of a woman (normally known as moll to others) which is definitely a fresh approach and icing on the cake is the impeccable narrative and innovative style introduced by the director turns it into a passionate drama, which has pace and rhythm to held you captive.. There is a effort to explore how and under what circumstances a woman strays, which is more humane than what you saw so far in Murder or such stuff. How come love brings down a hardcore criminal to his knees and how come same love can be used as a weapon to serve mean purposes is something which should be watched out. An essentially character based film, among actors newcomer Kangana Ranaut and Shiny Ahuja are surprise packets. Debutant Cinematographer Bobby Singh with his highly imaginative framing caught the trauma and turmoil of the characters so effectively that it makes you rooted to your seats. Yes, there are flaws too, viz. how come the woman who is so much in love can't herself preposition her lover to make love to her (gone are the days when men initiate the process) or why a police man mastermind such a complicated plan to nab a criminal rather than directly hold his love interest captive, are things which the script writers know better. Music is another highlight whether it is picturisation or the track itself, just add the required lyricism to the film. I don't want to reveal much but it is definitely a surprise from Bhatt camp too, therefore go catch it as it is definitely one of the best films of this year.

Best of the year so far? Yes - easily. It has a few issues, so let me get them out of the way first: Gangster has some shoddy acting by it's main character, the girl at the crux of a Love Triangle. She has a bad accent, and a stunted way of speech. Her arms are around one Emraan Hashmi who does lip-lock. But with all your pre-conceived notions of him, he is not easy to dislike. And the pay-off for that is pretty nice. And as is usual for Bollywood movies, the movie does go through some unnecessary melodrama, but thankfully these are just three short ones.

What really is good about this movie is the writing. Director Anurag Basu has written the movie with a very clear idea about what he intended to depict. Yes, we have a gangster, we have foreign locales, and we have a "sexy pair", but the movie religiously sticks to its story-telling without once stopping to over-sell violence or sleaze. The whole narrative plays like a solo violinst playing through a single-long piece with its share of happy/sad portions and a few crescendos at the right times with some recurring themes. So much so that it is easy to be sucked into the whole flow and go along with where the director takes you.

Anurag Basu is good. His second movie (I thunk), but he clearly has his own language of cinema. From the shot-arrangements and camera angles to the score and songs, this man plays it like he cares for his movie, and not for the producer's coffer. He tells us the story mostly in flash-backs - but with decent inter-cuts to make it not entirely linear. The movie moves along a relaxed yet fast pace. It reminded me of cruising in a luxury car at 180Kmhr. You are speeding, but very comfortably.

The movie follows the story of one-girl (Bar dancer, yawn!) who a Gangster falls for, rebels against his gang, goes on the run, then puts her away safe and stays away to keep her safe. After holding-on for years she, in her loneliness, falls in love with another man - just when the gangster comes back. Clashes, loyalties, retribution, betrayal, vengeance.

Shiny Ahuja shines (sorry, couldn't resist) as the titular Gangster. His going from unspoken emotionless man to unspoken jilted lover to unspoken "karma-yogi" works very well mainly for his intensely masculine persona. How good is he as an actor will take something against his type to prove. But he fits here perfect, and within the world of this movie, the man is like the writer's imagined.

Watch this movie if you can catch it sometime soon. It's worth at least that much respect.

Rating --> 4 of 5

Gangster is a powerful and dramatic film that departs from the typical movie format and presents a complex love story where morals become entwined. The movie is shown through the eyes of Simran, a woman enduring a terrible turmoil. However, all three major characters have gray shades and are shown to be human. They endure hardships, fall prey to temptations, and struggle to do what their heart tells them is right. It is difficult for the audience to decide who or what is right and wrong, who is a protagonist and who an antagonist, making the movie ever more mystifying. All one realizes is that this movie is as real as its characters, their situations, and their actions. Shiny Ahuja is absolutely fantastic! All of his performances from Sins to Karam are superb. Kangna gives a good debut, although her dialog delivery is a bit odd. Emraan Hashmi has also matured as an actor. Songs are addictive! Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, Bheegi Bheegi, and Ya Ali are all mesmerizing tracks with a deep soul. This is most definitely the best soundtrack of 2006 so far and the highlight of the movie. Footage of Korea, which has never been captured on Indian film, adds even more freshness to the movie. The setting in Seoul (foreign people, cold climate, harsh metropolis) and the blue filter also do a good job of bringing out the loneliness, turmoil, and confusion that the characters are enduring.