Murad’s journey is the one we are most concerned with and the script uses him to explore several themes of morality, patriarchy, but primarily ambition. Turns out, I didn’t need to worry, Safeena is a layered character, with an interesting arc of her own and the chemistry between the leads is palpable. After watching the trailer, and the iconic, ‘Mere boyfriend se gulu gulu karengi toh ghoptoyengi na usko’, I was excited about her presence, but at the same time worried about the possibility that this character might be reduced to the laughing stock of the film, used just to lighten the mood. She is fierce and unpredictable, living a life she desperately wants to escape, and the same time, she is vulnerable, loving and loyal. My favourite of the lot was Alia Bhatt’s character, Safeena Ali. In a film which could have easily turned into a one-man show, with Ranveer Singh in the lead, the screenplay by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti is replete with some brilliant and memorable characters. But Gully Boy is no ordinary film, and here’s why.įirst of all, the characters. Not many of the plot points are innovative or surprising. Gully Boy, at its core, is a coming of age story, and it’s a story we have seen enough number of times, to know where it’s going. Ranveer Singh in Gully Boy (Source: Film Companion) What works for Gully Boy is this passion, the passion of the entire creative team behind this film, which takes a rather predictable story and elevates it to another level. Yes, I know that every writer, director, actor to certain extent passionate about what they do, but only for a few of them is the passion so strong that it becomes the beating heart of their craft. For me what separates the good, the bad and the mediocre, is not the plot, yes, I understand that a plot is central to any film and I appreciate stories, but what frustrates me most about a film is when it lacks passion. I believe that any art form succeeds primarily because of its ability to evoke an emotion within us. What are the components of a good movie? Think about your favourite movie, and then think about why you love it so much? Is it the plot, the direction, the acting, does it evoke a memory for you?