Movie Review: Gangs of Wasseypur

Far from the glitzy facades of malls and multiplexes, away from the zooming call cabs, SUVs and luxury sedans, disconnected from the rest of "modern India" we take for granted, lies the dusty, grimy coal mines of Bihar. And one of the small towns near Dhanbad, Wasseypur, is the setting for this dark movie about coal mafia, dirty politics and violence. Shot in 2 parts, with Part 1 in the theatres right now, this is perhaps the first time a film has been presented in such an epic way, and Anurag Kashyap deserves a clap just for that!

Manoj Bajpai puts in a stunning performance as Sardar Khan, thirsting for revenge against his father's nemesis, the hudlum turned politician Ramadhir Singh. Every other cast member is also spot on, with Richa Chadda (edit: this should be Reema Sen. Richa is the first wife, with an almost equally good performance!) stealing the honours in a powerful performance as Sardar's lust interest and second wife. The cinematography, editing, background score and camera work brings the harsh realities of an alternate India to you with shocking effect. The 2 hours 40 mins will keep you spell bound, even as you cring at the queasy sites of slaughtered animals, the blood and gore will make your stomach churn, and the crude language will shock the "gentleman" in you while you give in to the charms and laugh with everyone else. While the movie begins with a long drawn and confusing montage of documentary footage, incidents and names that are thrown at you at breakneck speed to "set the stage", it then takes an amazing turn and slows down, allowing the characters, the mood and the setting to grow on you, slowly and surely, until you are so enamoured by it, that you never want it to end. Sardar Khan's seduction of Najma, the scene in which he insults the minister and his son, and the last shootout scene (in the style of Godfather, including the background score) are some of the clear stand outs.

This is not a movie for the weak hearted.

Recommended highly if you are up for real film making. Needless to say, strictly A and best watched in the theatres.

Can't wait to see Part 2, this should be one sequel even better than the first!