Anurag Kashyap's magnum opus 'Gangs of Wasseypur' was one of the highly anticipated releases this year. Moviegoers expect a brilliant presentation by the director, who failed to strike it rich earlier with 'Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic'.
Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Piyush Mishra, Richa Chadda and Reemma Sen star in 'Gangs of Wasseypur.' The plot deals with revenge and rivalry between gangs, those believe in an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and pass on the quest for the vengeances to the following generations as well.
On Friday, the movie was also screened at London Indian Film Fest. Initial reports said packed houses were seen in metros.
However, this movie is not expected to do wonders at the box office or join the billion club. What audience can expect from the movie is a serious storyline that demands for patience and attention, with little room for enjoyment.
'Gangs of Wasseypur' is expected to garner good reviews from the film critics, who rate a movie considering the amount of creativity gone into the storytelling.
The movie has hit the screens and reviews are already out online. We have compiled excerpts from the reviews of various well-known film critics to give you an insight about the movie and help you plan your weekend visit to the cinemas.
Reviewing 'Gangs of Wasseypur' for Bollywood Hungama, Taran Adarsh said: Anurag Kashyap, who is celebrated for his effort in generating a position in Indian cinema's forward-thinking space, narrates a classic account of two disputing families set against the milieu of the coal mining groups in Dhanbad. Heightened by strong acts by a gifted and assorted cast, the film is ingeniously narrated and has several power-packed sequences that render you speechless. However, it's not without its share of blemishes... But more on that later!
"On the whole, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR symbolizes the fearless new Indian cinema that shatters the clichés and conventional formulas, something which Anurag Kashyap has come to be acknowledged for. It has all the trappings of an entertainer, but with a difference. The film prides itself with substance that connects with enthusiasts of new-age cinema. But, I wish to restate, one needs to have a really strong belly to soak up to a film like GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. Also, this striking movie-watching experience comes with a colossal length and duration. The reactions, therefore, would be in extremes. GANGS OF WASSEYPUR is for that segment of spectators who seek pleasure in watching forceful, hard-hitting and gritty movies," Taran Adarsh verdict.
Blessy Chettiar reviewed the movie for DNA wrote, "Little do we realise we are going to get sucked into a vortex of heady violence, twisted fates and tales of vengeance. From the cheesy 'rishto ke bhi roop badalte hain' to the sound of raining bullets, the paradox is inescapable."
"Here's a film that demands 100% attention and it won't stop till it has it," Chettiar Said. "Even though there's so much going for GOW I, there's something always amiss, something that leaves you underwhelmed after all those expectations. May be it's a hope of a dashing GOW II. Let's wait and watch"
Bikas Bhagat writing for Zee Cinemas termed Anurag Kashyap's 'Gangs of Wasseypur' as masterpiece of Bollywood in a genre that deals with gang wars and mafias.
Bhagat suggests the audience to "watch it for its sheer cinematic pleasure!"
Bhagat said, "The only other area where the film might falter is its length. With a runtime of almost three hours, the film picks up the pace only after the interval. But, given the films theme, it looks quite justifiable. So if you want to experience an all new wave of cinema in Bollywood, GOW is your movie. It's has some real quirky moments which I'll leave for you to explore in the film."
Raja Sen for Rediff website writes, "Anurag Kashyap gets flavour, setting and character right with 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' but the lack of economy cripples the film"
Sen has appreciated performance by the star cast and composer Sneha Khanwalkar. Meanwhile, he has vouched that 'Keh Ke Lunga' number from the movie will become "the song of the year."
"Yet it is the excess that suffocates all the magic, originality dying out for lack of room to breathe. Kashyap gets flavour, setting and character right, but the lack of economy cripples the film. There is a lot of gunfire, but like the fine actors populating its sets, Wasseypur fires too many blanks" Sen verdict.
Gaurav Malani reviewing 'Gangs Of Wasseypur' for Times Of India, verdict the movie as 'very good.'
"Even at a runtime of almost three hours, the movie, at no point, seems stretched or monotonous and there isn't a single dull moment. The narrative binds you to an extent that you don't mind watching the impending sequel (another two and a half hours) at a single stretch, since the incomplete first part leaves you on a restless note and asking for more," writes Malani.
"'Gangs Of Wasseypur' is amongst Anurag Kashyup's most accomplished and engaging works since 'Black Friday'. And we are talking about just half of the film!" Malani verdict.
Saibal Chatterjee for NDTV website wrote, "It's moments of pure inspiration like these, and there are plenty, that lift Gangs of Wasseypur above the constrictions of the genre."
"It may not be for the faint-hearted and the prissy. Gangs of Wasseypur is a heavyweight knockout punch. You're down for the count!" Chatterjee verdict on 'Gangs Of Wasseypur'.
Watch trailer of 'Gangs Of Wasseypur here.
