Gangs of Wasseypur

Are you a person who likes to go back into the past, to know why the present is so? Are you a person who wants to know how Bollywood movies are inspired from the one’s made in the southern part of India? Anurag Kashyap, in an interview mentioned that the genesis for ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ lay in a few Tamil movies he saw when he was in Chennai, the reason for him crediting the ‘Madurai Triumvirate’ of Bala, Ameer, and Sasikumar.

The movie set in Wasseypur, talks about the rise of a selfish capitalist, and the exploitation of workers. The movie also talks about the Qureishi-Pathan clash in the town and how the capitalist uses the situation to his advantage.

The magic of the movie is in the characterisation, rather than the story line. For instance, Richa Chaddha needn’t have such a lengthy role, but portraying her as a strong and a forgiving lady adds to the character of Manoj Bajpayee

The movie, undoubtedly, belongs to Manoj Bajpayee. Every single scene that he is in, is a must-watch. His silent stare at the capitalist, talking about the capitalist on the bed, being scared of the wife, expressing desperation at his wife’s pregnancy, and a lot more scenes point towards the acting nous of Manoj Bajpayee.

The fact that he excelled in intense scenes as well as the comic one’s makes it one of the best from him. The scene where he cavorts with Rima Sen has to be one of the best. He imitates her in every moment, and then in a moment of directorial brilliance, the camera pans to the companion. The entire sequence elicits laughter. The director stamps his authority in the scene where Manoj Bajpai goes to the capitalist shouting on a public address system. In a singular moment, he is both comic and intense

There are many finds from the movie, but none better than Tigmanshu Dhulia. As a cunning capitalist, scheming politician, this man threatens to pull the rug from under Manoj Bajpayee in the performance stakes. Every single insult thrown at him by Manoj’s character is met by a stern face but is a followed by a shower of abuses on his son after some time. His best scene is that in which he intimidates a member of the Qureishi clan by asking him if he has killed the son of the Pathan repeatedly. For a man who aspires to be a real-life politician, his act as a conniving politician is even more convincing when viewed in that light.

Jaideep Ahlawat, the man on whom this movie revolves, has a short role but the director makes sure that he has moments. The thing doesn’t go unnoticed is his screen presence.

Richa Chadha infuses life into the character given to her. She plays an able ally to Manoj Bajpayee in the comic sequences around her pregnancy. Though her scenes get fewer as the movie progresses, she does leave an indelible stamp on your consciousness by the time you leave the theatre.

Nawazzudin Siddiqui is in control of the movie from the moment he steps in. In a short role in the first part, he has made his presence felt in every scene that he appears in. He brings the house down with laughter when he says hello to mannequin. A fifteen-second sequence brings to the fore the actor in him. The scene where he shoots the gun-supplier is another where we are provided a glimpse into the actor that he is

Reema Sen hasn’t got much lines to deliver but when she does, they stand out. Cleavage pooping out, and an ever serious expression on the face, she provides the movie with the denouement that people hardly expect.

It is said that the mark of a great actor is selecting great roles. On the same basis, the mark of a good director is choosing the actors for the parts. On that reason alone, Anurag Kashyap needs to be commended. Though the movie is long, he doesn’t allow the viewer to take his attention of the screen. The second part is much awaited, now.

Whatever said about the writers and music director of the movie will be an understatement. Though the language is abusive, the writers manage to fill it with daily life sarcasm. If one had to pick the best line of the movie then it has to be when Manoj Bajpayee says ‘Agle Bakrid tak yahin rehna’. The Background music is an essential part of the movie. There is a certain beat going on in the background whenever a character is being projected as dangerous and scheming. The songs ‘Hunter’, ‘Bihar ke lala’, and ‘Keh ke Loonga’ will be blaring out from the cabs for a few days to come

The only complaint, if any, is the plethora of the characters in the movie.