Gully Boy is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language musical drama film directed by Zoya Akhtar and co-written by Akhtar and Reema Kagti. The film stars Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in the lead roles, with Siddhant Chaturvedi, Kalki Koechlin and Vijay Raaz in supporting parts. Inspired by the lives of Mumbai street rappers Vivian Fernandes (Divine) and Naved Shaikh (Naezy), the film traces the rise of an aspiring rapper from the Dharavi neighbourhood of Mumbai.
Produced by Excel Entertainment and Tiger Baby Films, Gully Boy was released theatrically on 14 February 2019. It received widespread critical acclaim, was a commercial success, and was selected as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 92nd Academy Awards, although it was not nominated.
| Title | Gully Boy |
|---|---|
| Director | Zoya Akhtar |
| Writers | Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti; dialogues by Vijay Maurya |
| Producers | Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar |
| Production companies | Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films |
| Lead cast | Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Kalki Koechlin, Vijay Raaz |
| Cinematography | Jay Oza |
| Editor | Nitin Baid |
| Music label | Zee Music Company |
| Language | Hindi |
| Release date | 14 February 2019 |
| Country | India |
| Setting | Mumbai, primarily Dharavi |
The film draws upon the emerging underground hip-hop scene of Mumbai in the 2010s, particularly the work of rappers Divine and Naezy, whose 2015 collaboration Mere Gully Mein brought wider attention to the form of street rap rooted in Hindi and Mumbaiya slang. Director Zoya Akhtar developed the project as a fictionalised composite story rather than a strict biopic, with Vijay Maurya contributing dialogues that capture the colloquial register of the city's chawls and bastis.
The character of Murad, played by Ranveer Singh, is a Muslim youth from Dharavi who works as a chauffeur while pursuing his ambition to become a rapper. Alia Bhatt plays Safeena, a medical student and Murad's girlfriend, while Siddhant Chaturvedi, in his feature debut, plays the rapper-mentor MC Sher.
Murad, a college student living with his family in Dharavi, struggles with the pressures of his father's authoritarian household and limited economic prospects. After encountering MC Sher at a college performance, he is drawn into Mumbai's underground rap circuit. Through writing, performance and a competitive showcase, Murad gradually finds a voice that channels his frustrations with class, labour and identity. The narrative intertwines his musical journey with his volatile relationship with Safeena and his evolving sense of self.
Filming took place across Mumbai locations, with extensive shooting in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest informal settlements. Ranveer Singh prepared by working closely with Mumbai rappers, and a number of tracks in the film were performed by him. Siddhant Chaturvedi was cast after a screen test process and the role marked his transition from television to films.
The soundtrack of Gully Boy features 18 tracks and is regarded as a landmark compilation in Indian hip-hop, bringing mainstream attention to a wide range of independent artists. Contributors include Divine, Naezy, Ranveer Singh, Dub Sharma, Ankur Tewari, Karsh Kale, Midival Punditz, Spitfire, Kaam Bhaari, MC Altaf and Rishi Rich, among others. Notable songs include Apna Time Aayega, Mere Gully Mein, Asli Hip Hop, Doori and Azadi. The album was released by Zee Music Company.
Gully Boy premiered at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2019 in the Panorama section, ahead of its Indian theatrical release on 14 February 2019. The film received strong reviews from Indian and international critics for its direction, writing, performances—particularly those of Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and Siddhant Chaturvedi—and its music. It performed well at the box office in India and overseas.
The film won multiple awards at the 65th Filmfare Awards, including Best Film, Best Director for Zoya Akhtar, Best Actor for Ranveer Singh and Best Actress for Alia Bhatt, sweeping a large share of the major categories. It was selected by the Film Federation of India as the country's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 92nd Academy Awards. Gully Boy also received recognition at the IIFA Awards, Screen Awards and Zee Cine Awards.
Gully Boy is widely credited with mainstreaming Indian hip-hop, particularly the Mumbai "gully rap" movement, and with creating commercial opportunities for independent rappers and producers from non-elite urban backgrounds. The phrase Apna Time Aayega entered popular usage as a slogan of aspiration. The film also contributed to broader conversations on class mobility, urban inequality and the cultural representation of Dharavi.