Gangs of Wasseypur II
(2012)
Directed by- Anurag Kashyap
*Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadda, Zeishan Quadri, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Piyush Mishra, Rajkumar Yadav, Pankaj Tripathi, Reemma Sen
[SPOILERS!]
Anurag Kashyap's follow-up to the mindblasting Part I begins right after Sardar Khan's assassination. And from that point on its evident things will never be the same in Wasseypur.
THE PLAYERS:
First of all, Kashyap introduces many new characters that form an integral part of the story and yet you somehow feel that they could have been easily avoided. The reason being that they fail to reach out to you during the minimal screen time they get.
Unlike last time where even a short role by Vipin Sharma (as Ehsaan Qureshi) left a mark due to his superb acting in that, "Ab toh sach bol de bhosdi ke!' scene. (remember him nodding like a buffoon?)
GOWII has various colorful characters, some with their own signature handicaps and even exotic names, which somehow seem to be placed deliberately in the mix, only for the sake of adding more variety, which was quite unnecessary in the first place. The prequel had a perfect blend of earthy, believable characters that were deeply embedded in the story.
Many characters here have not much to do except act as devices to spawn new plot lines that ultimately reach the end. And in hindsight you like to believe that you could have done without that particular plot line or even the character.
For instance, Shamshad Alam whom I found an utter waste of screen time and a totally useless character in the story. However he did have lengthy role and played some part in the downfall of the empire and the corruption of Definite.
The major characters however are dealt with a maturity that reminds of the preceding film. firstly, Mohsina (Huma Qureshi) who graduates from a filmy girl next door-cum-love interest to Faizal into a pillar of support who serves as the only solace for the troubled Faizal.
Also Naghma Khatoon, Faizal's fiery mother, one of the strongest characters from the previous film is somehow tamed and tended to the shadows in this one, but that only compliments her old age. Her initial scenes only showing a bit of the flair that she sported in Part I.
The rest of the primary characters like Sultan, JP continue to strive in the backgrounds while still getting their own moments to shine.
But Piyush Mishra's Chacha Farhan gets truly sidelined and barely has a dialogue to speak.
The aged Ramadhir Singh also suffers a similar fate as his fellow characters from Part I. Subsided to only a few scenes and a bloody climax, he doesn't get much time to share his old man's wisdom.
Except for that amazing 'garden ki chaai' scene where he delivers one of the best punches from the film.
"Jab dak is desh mein cinema rahega log chutiya bante rahenge"
And then there are the two primary characters, firstly its Faizal the protagonist, burdened with the responsibility of exacting revenge for his family.
His character who was a worthless pot-junkie in the previous film grows into a menacing crime lord with an insatiable bloodlust. The decay of Faizal's character is shown splendidly by Kashyap.
The final scene where Faizal rains death upon his sworn enemy with those emotionless eyes and that childlike fixation on his pallid face, combined with the killer beats of Sneha Khanwalkar's badass KKL track (to which I'm listening as I write this review), itself makes the rest of the film worthwhile. His journey complete and his actions redeemed.
Now on the other side of the coin is the cagey and wily Definite, the new breed of Mafia springing up from this soil watered by the blood of generations.
Definite is a character whose real intentions are never revealed throughout the film. That is until the final scene.
He helps Faizal, plots against him, saves his life and teams up against him again until the viewer is left utterly clueless as to what this enigmatic young character is all about. And in the end he delivers his final blow.
His is the only character journey after Faizal that is justified by Kashyap.
THE STORY:
Credited to Zeishan Quadri (also playing Definite), Akhilesh, Sachin Ladia and Anurag Kashyap, the story is rather straightforward and without much twists and turns. A lot does happen along the narrative yet all of it instead of boiling down to the finale is scattered here and there and most of it seems pretty pointless in the first place.
A lot of sub plots are created and then left hanging.
Like the election angle which was so profusely advertised. We never see the end of it and in fact Faizal yearns to quit the election almost immediately.
His sorrow though understandable is somehow misplaced and badly timed. Yet its the wonderful acting by Nawaz that pulls it through.
There are a few other things which bug you about the story in hindsight.
GOW I had a fantastic storyline and superb narration by Piyush Mishra. It was a tale spanning decades and states and told the bloody history of Wasseypur through the eyes of its own people, how they came to and what spawned the bloody rivalries that haunt the town to this day.
This time around however the narration seems lacking. There aren't much historical developments and the story seems to spin out of control despite desperate attempts at fusing the narration at certain points.
The overall story, if you look at it by combining the two parts seems to have a lag after Sardar Khan's death. Danish's attempts at vengeance though seem to pick up the tempo, but he is shortly and abruptly killed and the film descends in a narrative limbo from which it actually rises only in the climax.
This half of the story of Gangs of Wasseypur is certainly weaker and fails to bind the viewer like the predecessor. Even though this does have a grander scale, better guns and faster rides.
But maybe it was the uncertainty of a homemade bomb that provided the previous film with that grit, the sharp point of an icepick that gave it that edgy nature which made it such an enjoyable fare which despite being two and a half hours long still has a high rewatch value.
Something one can't promise about this part.
THE MUSIC:
Sneha Khanwalkar's music is one of the plus points this film has over its prequel.
The rustic tunes of Moora, the subtle music of Kaala Rey, the power-packed Chhi Chha Ledar, the flashy Electric Piya and the festive Taar Bijli all are songs that one not only remembers fondly but also that form an integral part of the narrative.
But the one track with its mindnumbing music and its awesome placement in the film that will remain etched in your memory forever is KKL.
A remix of the phenomenal Keh Ke Lunga track from the previous album, this is definitely my favorite. And Kashyap uses the song to its full extent as Faizal unloads magazine after magazine and rifle after rifle into the destroyed remains of Ramadhir Singh with such sadistic pleasure and such innocent satisfaction that makes this scene the apex of action cinema in India.
Other tracks that stand out are Moora, Chhi Chha Ledar, and Kaala Rey.
GV Prakash Kumar's Godfatherly background score gives the film the required gangster feel, adding intensity to some key scenes.
THE REST:
Rajeev Ravi's Cinematography is visually pleasing.
He captures the landscapes as well as the urban setting beautifully. There are ample chase scenes some of which are shot exceptionally. For instance Perpendicular's entry, shot in slow motion and narrated by Piyush Mishra paves the way for an interesting character.
Though that character meets a most undeserved and quick end is a different thing.
Kashyap's direction is good.
Though his grip slackens at times and the film tends to lag, especially after the interval. The film never actually picks up until the final chain of events are in order.
Probably its because Kashyap has crammed way too many characters to give it a City of God-like feel, but unlike his inspiration he fails to do justice to each and every one of them.
THE CONCLUSION:
So finally whereas GOW II fails to stand up to the standards set up by its predecessor it is still a pretty enjoyable fare.
Mostly for the characterization of Definite and the stupendous acting by Nawazuddin.
And mainly, the climax scene. And the music that roars in its background.
That is the reason I would be willing to watch this film again in theaters.
That scene actually signifies the power of cinema. The mindblowing effect it has on you and how it leaves you in stupor, I would pay again and again just to watch THAT scene play forever in a theater.
RATING- 3.5/5
A film I had immense expectations from, which despite being somehow disappointing was still very enjoyable.
Nawazuddin/Zeishan Quadri FTW!
(2012)
Directed by- Anurag Kashyap
*Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadda, Zeishan Quadri, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Piyush Mishra, Rajkumar Yadav, Pankaj Tripathi, Reemma Sen
[SPOILERS!]
Anurag Kashyap's follow-up to the mindblasting Part I begins right after Sardar Khan's assassination. And from that point on its evident things will never be the same in Wasseypur.
THE PLAYERS:
First of all, Kashyap introduces many new characters that form an integral part of the story and yet you somehow feel that they could have been easily avoided. The reason being that they fail to reach out to you during the minimal screen time they get.
Unlike last time where even a short role by Vipin Sharma (as Ehsaan Qureshi) left a mark due to his superb acting in that, "Ab toh sach bol de bhosdi ke!' scene. (remember him nodding like a buffoon?)
GOWII has various colorful characters, some with their own signature handicaps and even exotic names, which somehow seem to be placed deliberately in the mix, only for the sake of adding more variety, which was quite unnecessary in the first place. The prequel had a perfect blend of earthy, believable characters that were deeply embedded in the story.
Many characters here have not much to do except act as devices to spawn new plot lines that ultimately reach the end. And in hindsight you like to believe that you could have done without that particular plot line or even the character.
For instance, Shamshad Alam whom I found an utter waste of screen time and a totally useless character in the story. However he did have lengthy role and played some part in the downfall of the empire and the corruption of Definite.
The major characters however are dealt with a maturity that reminds of the preceding film. firstly, Mohsina (Huma Qureshi) who graduates from a filmy girl next door-cum-love interest to Faizal into a pillar of support who serves as the only solace for the troubled Faizal.
Also Naghma Khatoon, Faizal's fiery mother, one of the strongest characters from the previous film is somehow tamed and tended to the shadows in this one, but that only compliments her old age. Her initial scenes only showing a bit of the flair that she sported in Part I.
The rest of the primary characters like Sultan, JP continue to strive in the backgrounds while still getting their own moments to shine.
But Piyush Mishra's Chacha Farhan gets truly sidelined and barely has a dialogue to speak.
The aged Ramadhir Singh also suffers a similar fate as his fellow characters from Part I. Subsided to only a few scenes and a bloody climax, he doesn't get much time to share his old man's wisdom.
Except for that amazing 'garden ki chaai' scene where he delivers one of the best punches from the film.
"Jab dak is desh mein cinema rahega log chutiya bante rahenge"
And then there are the two primary characters, firstly its Faizal the protagonist, burdened with the responsibility of exacting revenge for his family.
His character who was a worthless pot-junkie in the previous film grows into a menacing crime lord with an insatiable bloodlust. The decay of Faizal's character is shown splendidly by Kashyap.
The final scene where Faizal rains death upon his sworn enemy with those emotionless eyes and that childlike fixation on his pallid face, combined with the killer beats of Sneha Khanwalkar's badass KKL track (to which I'm listening as I write this review), itself makes the rest of the film worthwhile. His journey complete and his actions redeemed.
Now on the other side of the coin is the cagey and wily Definite, the new breed of Mafia springing up from this soil watered by the blood of generations.
Definite is a character whose real intentions are never revealed throughout the film. That is until the final scene.
He helps Faizal, plots against him, saves his life and teams up against him again until the viewer is left utterly clueless as to what this enigmatic young character is all about. And in the end he delivers his final blow.
His is the only character journey after Faizal that is justified by Kashyap.
THE STORY:
Credited to Zeishan Quadri (also playing Definite), Akhilesh, Sachin Ladia and Anurag Kashyap, the story is rather straightforward and without much twists and turns. A lot does happen along the narrative yet all of it instead of boiling down to the finale is scattered here and there and most of it seems pretty pointless in the first place.
A lot of sub plots are created and then left hanging.
Like the election angle which was so profusely advertised. We never see the end of it and in fact Faizal yearns to quit the election almost immediately.
His sorrow though understandable is somehow misplaced and badly timed. Yet its the wonderful acting by Nawaz that pulls it through.
There are a few other things which bug you about the story in hindsight.
GOW I had a fantastic storyline and superb narration by Piyush Mishra. It was a tale spanning decades and states and told the bloody history of Wasseypur through the eyes of its own people, how they came to and what spawned the bloody rivalries that haunt the town to this day.
This time around however the narration seems lacking. There aren't much historical developments and the story seems to spin out of control despite desperate attempts at fusing the narration at certain points.
The overall story, if you look at it by combining the two parts seems to have a lag after Sardar Khan's death. Danish's attempts at vengeance though seem to pick up the tempo, but he is shortly and abruptly killed and the film descends in a narrative limbo from which it actually rises only in the climax.
This half of the story of Gangs of Wasseypur is certainly weaker and fails to bind the viewer like the predecessor. Even though this does have a grander scale, better guns and faster rides.
But maybe it was the uncertainty of a homemade bomb that provided the previous film with that grit, the sharp point of an icepick that gave it that edgy nature which made it such an enjoyable fare which despite being two and a half hours long still has a high rewatch value.
Something one can't promise about this part.
THE MUSIC:
Sneha Khanwalkar's music is one of the plus points this film has over its prequel.
The rustic tunes of Moora, the subtle music of Kaala Rey, the power-packed Chhi Chha Ledar, the flashy Electric Piya and the festive Taar Bijli all are songs that one not only remembers fondly but also that form an integral part of the narrative.
But the one track with its mindnumbing music and its awesome placement in the film that will remain etched in your memory forever is KKL.
A remix of the phenomenal Keh Ke Lunga track from the previous album, this is definitely my favorite. And Kashyap uses the song to its full extent as Faizal unloads magazine after magazine and rifle after rifle into the destroyed remains of Ramadhir Singh with such sadistic pleasure and such innocent satisfaction that makes this scene the apex of action cinema in India.
Other tracks that stand out are Moora, Chhi Chha Ledar, and Kaala Rey.
GV Prakash Kumar's Godfatherly background score gives the film the required gangster feel, adding intensity to some key scenes.
THE REST:
Rajeev Ravi's Cinematography is visually pleasing.
He captures the landscapes as well as the urban setting beautifully. There are ample chase scenes some of which are shot exceptionally. For instance Perpendicular's entry, shot in slow motion and narrated by Piyush Mishra paves the way for an interesting character.
Though that character meets a most undeserved and quick end is a different thing.
Kashyap's direction is good.
Though his grip slackens at times and the film tends to lag, especially after the interval. The film never actually picks up until the final chain of events are in order.
Probably its because Kashyap has crammed way too many characters to give it a City of God-like feel, but unlike his inspiration he fails to do justice to each and every one of them.
THE CONCLUSION:
So finally whereas GOW II fails to stand up to the standards set up by its predecessor it is still a pretty enjoyable fare.
Mostly for the characterization of Definite and the stupendous acting by Nawazuddin.
And mainly, the climax scene. And the music that roars in its background.
That is the reason I would be willing to watch this film again in theaters.
That scene actually signifies the power of cinema. The mindblowing effect it has on you and how it leaves you in stupor, I would pay again and again just to watch THAT scene play forever in a theater.
RATING- 3.5/5
A film I had immense expectations from, which despite being somehow disappointing was still very enjoyable.
Nawazuddin/Zeishan Quadri FTW!
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