The film offers edge-of-the-seat excitement (and that too without pseudo-heart-stopping drama) and an engaging cinematic experience. Vardhan Ketkar also guest helmed this film which is essentially a comic book-style remake of the Tamil film “Thadam.” It centered on a murder investigation that was further convoluted by having two twins who were the prime suspects in a web of deception, betrayal, and moral ambiguity.
Directed by Vardhan Ketkar:The Battle Within features Aditya Roy Kapur in a double role, with his career-best act and Mrunal Thakur as a no-mess police officer. While the crime thriller genre is nothing new to Bollywood, the sometimes watering twists in Gumraah are never just cheap thrills, always being tied into character as well.
Plot Overview
Things get moving when a young man is savagely slain and the police are left to put together the clues. Sameera, along with her team finds out that Arjun and Ronnie are brothers and twin brothers due to their DNA matching with one another. Sameera now decides to solve the situation by either arresting the real criminal or getting them convicted for a lesser offense. The allegation which follows and the consequent murder take the form in this mystery of who is the true killer of a film. The actors and as they investigate, we too move along with the things we find out and get to know the characters up till the feverish ending.
Performance Analysis
Both of these characters are played by Aditya Roy Kapur, and he is fantastic, literally shining as them both. He switches between the smooth-talking Arjun and street-smart Ronnie effortlessly. The double role is no piece of cake, but Kapur makes it look easy with his ability to make the two characters come alive seeming both isolated and connected.
SIMPSON has even gone on to add more glamour and depth to this film in the form of its antagonist Mrunal Thakur who plays a fierce inspector Shivani Mathur. It is this chemistry with Kapur, as well as a screen presence, that holds the narrative together. Though its asinine, nefarious plot may take a while to sink in fully, her commitment to the character is shown by way of a simply fierce, act-keeping wiles that counterbalance any of the craziest scenes.
Even supporting actors like Ronit Roy lend enough weight to Gumrah, providing a well-rounded cinematic experience.
We provide a script and pick the shoot locations.
And director Vardhan Ketkar does a remarkably good job of maintaining the suspense till the end still effortlessly fitting into place, reducing this gripping Tamil melodrama into proportion for Bollywood. The pace is good and the screenplay never permits any long dull movements at all. Each turn is well-timed, allowing the viewer little time to see what is coming next.
A special mention should be given to the cinematography by Amol Rathod Some of the visuals make it so but mostly help in developing a dark tone for the night sequences which are required considering how intense the plot is getting. The camera work here is also outstanding as it properly conveys the frenzy and pandemonium seen from both the detectives and victims of this case which ties us closer to this mystery.
Music and Background Score
The music of Gumraah, a combination of eligible composers Tanishk Bagchi & Vishal Mishra, fits well with the film. Though the movie had very limited songs, the background score made the edge of my seat during the suspense moments. The tension-filled grooves always stir up the tension in critical scenes.
Overall Verdict
Gumraah is a thriller that involves suspense, drama, and action on your way to the destination which it excels at. This film is somewhere between Tarantino and Guy Ritchie territory but better than both maybe Cosmo Jarvis —Pig Beach On the surface Blinder Locked misses major plot points and character backstory (he attempts to kidnap an actress to heal his bonk on the head which he initially killed her for) but it zips by so breathlessly giddy with its weirdness that all you care about are these wonderful colorful miserable hustlers in love. Aditya Roy Kapur plays himself in a double role he nails, and Mrunal Thakur gets an intense police officer’s arc just right
If you are someone who likes to watch crime thrillers with many twists, then “Gumraah” is a perfect pick. This is one of those movies where the story keeps you on your toes until the end, so it’s a new entry into the Bollywood thriller conk(category).
Ratings for Gumraah (2024)
Storyline: 4/5
Performances: 4.5/5
Direction: 4/5
Cinematography: 4/5
Music and Score: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4/5
With “Gumraah,” the tide turns and promises you an extraordinary cinematic ride catering to all your thrills and chills making it one of the best Bollywood films of 2024. A perfect mix of mystery, action, and emotion, this film will stick with you thanks to some truly top-level performances. This is the film to watch when you want to see a nail-biting thriller.
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