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Actually ... it wouldn't be accurate to call this a review of Gully Boy, because this is not a balanced, ratiocinative critique of the film. This is actually a love letter, straight from the hiwda, from the bottom of my soul, out and out, a shout out, to the insanely talented makers and actors of Gully Boy.

Gully boy is what we call “renaissance cinema”, because it will fundamentally change our perspectives on the whole idea of making dreams come true; it will change the way you look at society, class , division and everything in between, it will challenge banal definitions of music and poetry, dreams and reality and all those things we often wonder about while gazing at stars. It does what movies are supposed to do - create a magical, transcending experience through storytelling. To that end, Gully Boy is easily the best film in the last 10-15 years, one that I will probably watch a gazillion times before I die.

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So let me be clear,

I’m not objective,

Not subjective,

Just reflective

I got nothing but love to give…

There ain’t no logic,

Just some sheer movie making magic

So if you’re looking for the latter, please forgive

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I also remember the exact moments I became love-crazed with this movie:

1. That scene where Ranveer Singh, in a heart-wrenchingly vulnerable moment plugs his ears to ASAP Rocky's "Everyday" (whose lyrics perfectly captures and reflects the poignance of that moment on screen), and the entire theatre reverberates to the harmonious vocals of Sir Rod Stewart and his fellow collaborators.

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I was gone

I was taken

The grief in his unspoken words left me shaken

I saw a star on fire,

Don’t try to stop him cos he’s special, he is dire, he will not retire

He’s committed, he’s invested, he’s an actor who is truly gifted,

He makes you cry, want to reach for the skies,

All he does is inspire!

Yeah he’s Muraad, he’s on fire, he is all you desire!

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2. The time when Alia Bhatt, just walked in with her cool breeze of “I came, I saw and I conquered the damn screen” inspite of someone as strong and fabulous like Ranveer Singh playing the titular role; which of course speaks volumes for the prowess that director Zoya Akhtar really is for creating a firecracker like Safeena Firdausi to complement someone like Murad on screen.

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No, she doesn’t just “nod her head and smile”

Bitch please, with that kinda talent,

she can take anyone down from a mile

She’s unabashed, uncompromising, uninhibited.

Straight from the heart, just the truth, lies prohibited

She’s raw, she’s real, Loyal and dedicated

Listen up, her deal isn’t complicated

Give her your heart, rest assured she gives you all you ever wanted

Break her heart, rest assured, she’s a nightmare, never take her for granted

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3. The time when I realised I have been sitting in a theatre in Melbourne but in some freaky way my senses could simulate the smell from the unpleasant dreary dump of garbage laden Dharavi 17, the home to nation’s biggest slums and brightest talents. How’s that for “slice of life” ?

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And I promise you,

That’s what Gully Boy does to you

The cerebral muscles are on a virtual tour

The heart muscles dancing to the hip-hop beats, times four

The ear drums are screaming for more and more

And the gooseflesh is here to stay, won't go...

Be prepared for the heart to be mended and broken,

Be prepared for the soul to be shaken

If you think I’m exaggeratin’

Forgive me, like I said, I’m completely taken

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