Cast: Ranveer Singh, Arjun Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Sushant Singh, Saurab Shukla
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Genre(s): Drama, Action
Run Time: 152 Minutes
Rating: 3/5
Gunday is a story of two best friends (Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor) and how their friendship is tested when they fall for the same woman (Priyanka Chopra). The songs are mesmerizing, and Ranveer Singh pulls off his role with ease, but Gunday fails to connect with the audience. An ordinary film with weaknesses in its story line.
Set in the 1970s, Gunday unfolds the story of two young boys displaced in Bangladesh during the Bangladeshi Liberation War. Their hunger forces them on to the wrong path from a very young age. When they arrive in Calcutta (Kolkata), rejection from society and unable to live a simple life, they go on to write their own destiny. Fast forward to 15 years later, Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor are respected outlaws in the city. But they must remain cautious as Irrfan Khan, a police officer, has been drafted in to the city to bring a stop to their criminal activities. But Khan’s presence isn’t the only distraction these men have; oh no. They have both fallen for Priyanka Chopra, a cabaret dancer, but the question is, who will Chopra fall for? And what will be the consequences of her choice?
Ranveer Singh is convincing in his role, while Arjun Kapoor is slightly below par. The duo are very impressive in the action sequences, and have clearly undergone physical training; visible from their multiple shirtless scenes where they reveal muscular physiques. Irrfan Khan and Priyanka Chopra are reasonable in their respective roles but could have been utilized better. The songs are first-rate and sure likely to win over the audience. Jiya and Asalaam-E-Ishqum are two of many song picturisations that create magic with both music and visuals. The cinematography is commendable.
The film’s weakness lies in its storyline, which is knotted with subplots that are hardly exciting. And it’s failure to connect with the audience, being one of the major drawbacks of the film.Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor never convince the audience as outlaws, after all, they are ‘automatically crowned the outlaws’ after only one major battle. Few more action scenes would have given the duo credibility. Priyanka Chopra fails to express the reason for her choice when both actors clearly put equal weight behind them in trying to entice her.
A three out of five rating for a film that briefly lightens up at certain intervals. There are just too many questions raised and not enough answered in Gunday.
By: Attique Rehman (DubaiBliss.com)
Release Date: 14 Feb 2014 (UK)