Real life stories have some charm associated with them that sometimes make it more thrilling than fiction, and when it revolves around a bunch of bad boys it makes it even more interesting. Shootout at Wadala is one such story, it is bloody and violent at times, it is obscene and vulgar at times but still retains the beauty which makes it a great movie. It has all the elements of a Bollywood masala flick - the muscles, the babes, the dialogues, the action but more importantly it is a story that is done in a very believable manner.
The movie has adapted some parts of the plot from Hussain Zaidi’s’Dongri to Dubai’ and revolves around the first ever encounter killing done by the Mumbai Police. Our Protagonist Manya Surve is a wrongly convicted nice guys who turns bad after his release. His ambitions, his rise, his victories, his defeats and slowly his fall forms the crux of the story. The movie also does well to concentrate on various unknown aspects of his life - his love and that is something that gives us a deeper insight into his character something that many previous gangster movies chose to ignore - the main reason why I loved this movie.
The movie gives us an authentic feel of the 70’s and the 80’s and the rise of the mafia in Mumbai. Shootout at Wadala is a well accomplished work by the director. While the first half is good it is the second half that keeps you at the edge of your seats. The movie is energetic and has exciting twits and turns which is unlike many gangster movies made in the past. Full marks to the makers of the movie.
This is definitely one of the best performances from the otherwise stone faced John Abraham. From a good hearted wrongly convicted young man in the first half to a merciless gangster in the second - the transition is a classic one and he has displayed varying emotions to the best. He deserves a standing ovation for this performance. Anil Kapoor has always been a versatile actor and the veteran comes good in this heavy duty character once again. Manoj Bajpai has taken to his character like duck to water as alwaysand according to me has overshadowed sonu sood who I felt could have been much better. I have always held Kangana Ranaut in high regard, but I felt she was underused to an extent but nevertheless she has done well in her parts. Ronit Roy and Tushhar Kappor has been a good value addition to the movie. Ronit in particular is the one to watch out for. But at the end of it I felt that the movie has got more that I expected from the cast.
The songs of the movie has been a serious let down though it has the flavors of the 70’s and the 80’s in it. The unnecessary overdose of item songs it another irritating factor and neither Babli or Laila was anything more than average.’Ala re Ala’ was the only track I liked though it was nothing extraordinary. I will give the sings and music direction 2/5 .
The screenplay, dialogues and the cinematography is good enough to give you goosebumps, especially in the second half. The dialogues are reminiscent of the older gangster movies and it is tastefully done. Some of the dialogues will surely achieve cult status and will be part of the daily folkfore. The best parts of the movie were those involving Manya, the Kaskar brothers and ACP Isaque.
In short this is one movie that is going to turn your hot May day hotter. Your money will be well spent as you are sure to get more than what you’ll expected and it is interested to see how a dead gangster brings the box office to life.
The bad boys are gonna make your day. Enough Said!