Writer/Director: Anurag Kashyap
Starring: Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Reema Sen
Not many actors in India have built a legacy as strong as Manoj Bajpayee. Ever since his rise to fame amid the 1990’s, Bajpayee has become a beloved Bollywood icon. Whether it’s cruel gangsters, doomed lovers or bold teachers, Bajpayee has portrayed countless powerful characters. Arguably, Bajpayee’s finest strength as an actor has always been his powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always had a talent for playing characters in many movies across various genres. Through his abilities to portray strong characters which are easy to relate to, Bajpayee has become a bold actor audiences value. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Bajpayee has always left a strong impression. Throughout a strong career, Bajpayee has made several memorable movies which are worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bajpayee and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Gangs of Wasseypur” definitely stands out as being his most ambitious film. Released in 2012, Anurag Kashyap’s movie offered a strong portrait of gangsters in India. Packed with breathtaking action, strong storytelling and powerful performances, it’s a fantastic Bollywood crime masterpiece. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Manoj Bajpayee, who embodies a gangster in a strong position of authority. Ultimately, what makes “Gangs of Wasseypur” a truly unforgettable gangster classic is its broad appeal. Unlike most movies about gangs in India, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A marvellous Bollywood gangster masterpiece, there are several compelling reasons why “Gangs of Wasseypur” is truly worth watching.
“Gangs of Wasseypur” tells the story of a gangster family committing crimes which cause danger. Manoj Bajpayee embodies Sardar Khan, a powerful Indian gangster with commitment to his family. Sardar has always done everything in his powers to protect his family from danger. However, Sardar’s life drastically changed when his father is murdered in crimes which cause danger. Assisted by his strong son Faizal (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), Sardar strives to exact revenge against the men that have ruined his family. Faced with a dilemma, Sardar questions whether it’s possible for him to become a successful gangster in India. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Sardar wonders whether he has what it takes to become a strong leader of gangs in Wasseypur.
Anurag Kashyap is fascinated by the crime genre. A brilliant Indian filmmaker, Kashyap has often made engaging movies about the lives of gangs in danger. His award-winning movie “Black Friday” provided a compelling portrait of bombing taking place in Bombay. With “Gangs of Wasseypur”, however, the filmmaker created his first gangster epic. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey hardships faced by gangs in Indian history, but he succeeded immensely. Using strong cinematography, Kashyap captures a gang on a journey to find its identity. Inspired with Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather”, the filmmaker successfully employs montages to convey hardships faced by a gangster in danger. For instance, montages elevate the gangster violence scene. During this intense scene, Sardar commits a series of crimes to avenge the death of his father. Using strong montages, Kashyap created a portrait of a gangster family that’s engaging. Montages are complex techniques. As Yash Chopra’s “Veer-Zaara” suggested, montages elevate Bollywood movies about doomed love. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using bold visuals, Kashyap conveys gangs that are frightening.
Another aspect of “Gangs of Wasseypur” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood crime movies you will ever see. Evoking Vishal Bhardwaj’s “Omkara”, Kashyap effectively uses cross-cutting to stage powerful action sequences involving gangs in India. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the father scene. During this sad scene, Sardar witnesses his father killed in front of his eyes in a bloody sight. Through cross-cutting, Kashyap creates a portrait of gangsters that’s engaging. Furthermore, the musical score is marvellous. It gives the film an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden gangsters bear. Using extraordinary production, Kashyap demonstrates the lives of gangsters that embark upon a frightening mission.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Gangs of Wasseypur” is a Bollywood gang film that’s engaging. The movie is extremely well-written, and effectively uses silence to capture gangsters that are impacted by an act of violence. Evoking Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas”, Kashyap deftly uses scenes of silence to capture gangsters experiencing dilemmas. For instance, silence enhances the violence aftermath scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Sarkar reflects on the gruesome acts of violence that he has done in his life. Through silence, Kashyap creates a portrait of gangs audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in Indian movies. As Hansal Mehta’s “Aligarh” proved, silence enhances Bollywood films about gay teachers. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a brilliant screenplay, Kashyap captures Indian gangs which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Manoj Bajpayee delivers one of his finest performances as Sardar. Bajpayee earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Gangs of Wasseypur”, however, the actor took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy to play an ambitious Indian gangster that seeks to rule a country but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and utterly emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of a gangster embarking on dangerous missions. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most beloved actors in India today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bajpayee, the supporting cast is brilliant and worthy of recognition. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is spectacular, capturing a fierce personality of a gangster that struggles to mend relationships with his broken family. Richa Chadha is riveting, capturing she charisma of a transgender woman that falls in love with gangsters causing a dilemma. Lastly, Piyush Mishra merits appreciation. As an aging gangster, he brings intensity to the movie.
Finally, “Gangs of Wasseypur” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing lives of gangs in danger. Unlike most Bollywood movies about gangsters, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. The film discusses strong themes including anxiety, mental health and leadership which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to enjoy it. Therefore, “Gangs of Wasseypur” is one of those rare Bollywood gangster movies that everyone would adore.
Fans of Manoj Bajpayee will definitely enjoy “Gangs of Wasseypur” and so would movie-goers seeking engrossing entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood crime drama, it honours a beloved actor in India.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about an ambitious gangster seeking to protect a family empire in danger, it’s a captivating reminder of a beloved Indian actor that’s built a lasting legacy through his ability to play compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences have often found easy to treasure.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 