Gangster

Usually people say Bhatt films have lot of sex, hit music, titillation and no story But this film and some more proved them wrong Actually that 4 things suit Yashraj films more

Gangster is one of the best films from Vishesh films

The story sounds complicated but the director and screenplay writers make the film one experience to cherish

The love story between Shiny- Kangana, Kangana suddenly falling for Emraan and then her confusion whom to choose and the betrayal

All is handled very well by Anurag Basu

The emotional breakdown of Shiny and the climax is one of the best written scenes

Anurag Basu gives his best work so far Music(Pritam) was superb, especially Ya Ali, Bheegi Bheegi, Tu Hi Meri Cinematography made the film more appealing

Performances Kangana was one of today's rare heroines, she made her debut in such a spectacular way that all remained stunned and she earned a big name with this film, except her diction and her shouting at places

Shiny Ahuja was amazing in his role and performed brilliantly He got least dialogs but did a great job with expressions His emotional breakdown towards the end is one of the best part of the film

Emraan Hashmi surprised, he gave a restrained performance and didn't overact or make funny expressions even once as he normally does

Gulshan Grover got a wonderful role and he did a great job despite being a short role

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.

One of the best Bollywood films of 2006, Gangster is an emotionally charged gritty love story that takes its place as one of the best Indian gangster films ever made, and one of the finest films of 2006, Bollywood or not. On the surface, the film fol...(read more) lows a simple story of a woman (Kangana Ranaut) who falls in love with a man who turns out to be a notorious criminal (Shiny Ahuja), and the consequences of that decision inadvertently lead to a lifestyle she grows to discern. Frustrated with her current situation, she eventually falls into the arms of another man (Emraan Hashmi). Beyond this simple story, what happens next through the narratives many twists and turns makes Gangster a film that will not only entertain, but touch your heart as well. While the film possesses a powerful story, its trump card is the films emotionally charged performances. Kangana Ranaut makes her debut as Simran, and is a revelation. She deserved a best debut win and an actress nod for this, if no t for her other release last year, Woh Lamhe. Emraan Hashmi is excellent but underused as Aakash. This is primarily because he doesn't have too much to do for the first half. He shines in the second half. His best acting stint too date. But the real star of the film is Shiny Ahuja. He is absolutely outstanding as the gangster. The flashback scene, the scene where he breaks down in Kanganas lap, and his violent outburst towards the end of the first half are highlights of the film. This role was definitely award-worthy, its criminal he didn't garner any for it. Shiny has proved, in a short time, that he is an actor of enormous caliber. One of the finest performances of 2006, India or not. Beyond acting, the other star is the soundtrack. A massive hit when it released, its a pity the film wasn't as well received as its haunting score. All the songs are shot well (especially Lamhe Lamhe) and are well placed in the film. As always, the direction is well done by Anurag Basu. He proves hes a director of substance after 2003's moving Saaya. The cinematography is well done. Seoul's photogenic locations are put too good use. Overall, Gangster is one of the strongest Hindi films of 2006, and its well worth checking out.

Gangster is definitely the most beautiful movie that has ever been made. It has emotions, suspense, great music and brilliant performances from Emraan, Kanagana, Shiny and also Gulshan Grover.

After watching this movie I can say with full confidence that Kangana is going to be a "STAR". I don't think any female in the film industry could have done this movie better than her. Awesome is not even a good enough word for Kangana's performance.

Emraan looked handsome with his new glasses look. He played a character very different from his other releases and has improved a lot as an actor. He is already a STAR but he is going to be a "SUPERSTAR"

Shiny didn't have much dialogs in this movie but he made his presence felt in a very difficult way which I don't think most actors could have done. He is so brilliant in the movie that you can actually feel the anguish and hurt that Daya was going through. Very Intelligent Actor. Its very difficult to hate him in the movie because his character is the pure definition of a "TRUE LOVER"

Scenes to take home with you are,

Scene at Seoul Station where Simran betrays Daya

Simran confronting Daya outside her apartment.

Daya crying on Simran's laps.

Akash at the Indian Embassy is a scene beautifully done and does provide a huge shock value.

Gangster music, is the best album this year. The meaning of each word in the song is very touching and beautifully done. Ya Ali, Bheegi Bheegi, Lamha Lamha and Tu Hi Mere Shab Hai are songs to remember.

10/10 Go watch it.

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