Refreshing version of underworld. Review on Gangster

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 descendents 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 an 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. When will these idiots called “Men” understand that women are fragile no matter how hard they appear on surface and needs to be handled and nurtured with care and concern. How love brings down a hardcore criminal to his knees and how 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 Shiney Ahuja are surprise packets. Debutant Cinematographer Bobby Singh with his highly imaginative framing caught the trauma and turmoil of the characters so effectively in tight close-ups giving a claustrophobic effect that it makes you rooted to your seats.

Yes, there are flaws too, viz. how come a 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.