Gangs of Wasseypur 2

wogma rating: Add to 'must watch' list (?)

quick review:

Gangs of Wasseypur II delivers on the promise of being a quirky revenge saga. A saga which holds no bars and lets loose the internal animal which revenge itself seems to have given birth to. A saga so full of characters that a keen film-lover would want to watch twice – only if they can stomach the violence in almost every frame and profanity in every other sentence. Others, shouldn't even bother.

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Director: Anurag Kashyap
Running time: 150 minutes
More Movie Info

Gangs of Wasseypur 2 - Preview

Come August 8th, the wait shall finally be over. It's not an epic I am waiting for, it is more like one of those 13 episode thriller TV serials whose season finale I'm waiting for.

They haven't left us with a major cliff-hanger, but there is a promise of a nice, impending closure to the saga of Wasseypur. I have promised myself to not go our looking for the trailers either. It is good to not know what to expect once in a while too.

Just knowing we have Faizal Khan's character played by Nawazzuddin Siddiqui is reassuring enough. Not to mention Huma Qureshi's Mohsina to bring in that smile every once in a while. That besides, of course Anurag Kashyap can be well-depended on for a good film, with a very high chance of a great one.

I'm happy to just anticipate this one patiently for now.

Music Reviews:
Milliblog - "seems more aligned to Sneha’s Sound Trippin work than the earlier soundtrack, but is still wonderfully eclectic"
dunkdaft - "Sneha Khanwalkar and the works, impresses yet again."
Music Aloud – "8/10"
Bollywood Hungama – "3/5"
Bollyspice – "4/5"

- meeta, a part of the audience

Disclaimer: This review assumes you have watched part I. It might contain comments that refer to event of the previous film.

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A movie that uses a strong, scheming woman, who has very little to do in the rest of the film, as bookends - almost as if she was given the honor of holding the story together. A movie that uses humor provided by a local brass band singer as a leitmotif to mark all significant events – morose or celebratory. Gangs of Wasseypur II is a movie that engages you in its quirkiness because that quirkiness still has bearings with what is real. A fusion of sorts between grit of a village in Jharkhand and pulp-film style whackiness.

Gangs of Wasseypur II is as much about these seemingly insignificant characters as it is about its revenge-driven protagonists and the looming theme of the futility of violence. The smaller characters add flavor and ambiance to the brutal environment they are trying to thrive in. The main players of Wasseypur, Faisal (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia) keep you wondering about their next move. We know their motivations, yet we are unsure if and when they will strike.

It is macho to the core. The women too have an undying fire in the belly. Though they don't take matters in their own hands, but they surely don't stress over sending their sons to war. The ruthlessness in the violence is just something else. Some scenes are so gruesome as if compensating for the few that didn't feature violence.

Yet, none of it seems misplaced or overdone. A character who has gone through what he has gone through, with those motivations is bound to react with that ferocity. Only that, almost all characters share the same love for hardcore violence, so a viewer who has reservations against blood and gore might do well outside the theater. For others, though it is a release for the latent anger, vicarious as it may be.

So much so that, every time someone from Ramadhir Singh's gang is killed, you can sense the success in the audience. The bigger the player taken down, the stronger the sense of victory. Which is amusing too. Because the good guys aren't really good either, right? They are murderers, black marketeers, and brutal ones too. A doped-out good-for-nothing son of a goon, turns into a goon. So?

What is it then that the audience is rooting for? This question bothered me quite a bit because I knew not why I am rooting for these barbarous slayers. And the slight difference emerged - their motivations. The loyalty of the Khans to their main purpose versus the political and convoluted reasons of Singh's men. In fact, Faisal is even caught introspecting on why and how he got dragged into it all. He reflects on his personal dreams. And this is where all the Bollywood references fit in. As amusing as they might seem, they point at the unachieved dreams of the masses.

Moments and situations like these and the grounded feeling the whole film carries is what make me ignore the two main grouses I have against Gangs of Wasseypur II. The choice of narration – it reads like a book, chapter-wise, without smooth flow. If it weren't for Piyush Mishra's voice and tone, the voice-over would seem never-ending. It felt like the story was in constant exposition, especially when the voice-over continues the second half. That new characters and themes are still being introduced post-interval didn't help either.

The other complaint goes with my complaint against part 1 – it is not a stand alone film. I would have much rather seen the two parts as one and enjoyed it as one story. By watching it in two parts, both films feel incomplete. But, I guess commercial needs take precedence over my preferences. :)

Otherwise the film leaves no room for complaint. Once again to name one actor as having done exemplary work would be unfair. The women in Anurag Kashyap films always stand-out. Not only for the character accorded to them and their strength but also for the unique sensuality he has them bring out.

Similarly, to say an Anurag Kashyap film had awesome lighting, camerawork, sound, background score would be making a redundant statement. Also, something about the way Anurag Kashyap uses his music keeps you involved. Many a time, it makes very little sense (at least on first watch) but I still enjoy it. And for that I love it – making me enjoy something I don't understand.

Does it glorify violence? Maybe. It uses it brilliantly for sure, especially to bring the narrative to crescendo in the climax. Maybe, it exhibits the vanity of violence by using it paradoxically.

If a gang-war film needs to be made, this is the way to do it. Else of course, we watch Godfather, Pulp fiction, read the Mahabharata. But hey, why not try all three-in-one. Oh actually, make that three-in-two. But like anything that is a combination, it won't compare favorably to any one of those by itself. But is a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

- meeta, a part of the audience

49 reviewers(?) - 32 yays 10 so-so 7 nays

Warning: clicking on "full review" will take you to an external website that could contain spoilers.

Thumbs up, by Pankit Narang, Apun Ka Choice : ...The chemistry between Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Huma Qureshi is weirdly awesome and despite them looking completely incompatible physically, you just want to see them together on screen more and more! ... full review

Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...Kashyap’s two-part saga is, for the first time in our cinema, an acknowledgement of the accidental hero.... full review

Thumbs up, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...I would like to admit that I am not really in favour of sequels continuing one after another. But in case of GANGS OF WASSEYPUR, I will not mind watching its Part Three at all and in fact would love Anurag to make it, but only after a few years.... full review

Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama : ...Director Anurag Kashyap, in his trademark pragmatic approach to story-telling, fascinatingly spins this tremendous account.... full review

Thumbs up, Daily Bhaskar : ...A 520-minute mini-series format allows the filmmaker the scope to indulge. He’s clearly mastered the pop-corn art of sensational killings and colourful dialogue.... full review

Thumbs up, by Khalid Mohammed, Deccan Chronicle : ...The voice-over of the narrator(Piyush Mishra) sustains a cool, objective attitude. If he suffers from sexual deprivation, and whips himself, this bit of masochism is open to myriad interpretations. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Kshitij, Desi Martini : ... this ones a fitting end to one of the best films I have seen come out of this country... full review

Thumbs up, by Ameetbhuvan, Desi Martini : ...With excessive gaalis, blood flowing like drain water in the rains and violence that is in your face, GOW2 is not for the faint hearted. For those who can handle these, this is one hell of a finale. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Manu Agrawal, Desi Martini : ...ake a bow, Mr Kashyap for the best film series of Bollywood. I am going to be a fan all my life.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rony D'Costa, Desi Martini : ...By the end of 5 hrs 20 minute I got what I call a cinematic orgasm.... full review

Thumbs up, by Blessy Chettiar, DNA : ...As a character, Wasseypur is still wily, always on the boil and this time the deaths fly thick and fast.... full review

Thumbs up, by Mansi, Eat Pray Love Movies : ...If Gangs of Wasseypur 2 were a book, it would've been a best seller.... full review

Thumbs up, by Subhask K Jha, FirstPost : ...The ceaseless shower of bullets gets a hand-up on the visceral soundtrack from Sneha Khanwalkar’s excruciatingly evocative folk songs of Bihar... full review

Thumbs up, by Kritika Deval, fullhyd.com : ... "Jo bhi wrongwa hai use set rightwa karoji", croons the protagonist's love-interest, a heroine in the truest sense of the word. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Solgama, Gomolo.in : ...On the flip side, the whole rise of Nawazuddin's character was too sudden, followed by a few dragging moments in the first half. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Rohit Vats, IBN Live : ...To showcase the transformation of a simple drug addict to a cold blooded criminal was not an easy task, but the director established the scene with very few gestures... full review

Thumbs up, by Fatema H Kagalwala, India Entertainment : ...choppy editing, mis-used music and indulgent set pieces carelessly stroll into the narrative here as well, taking our minds off the theme but thankfully never really derailing the experience... full review

Thumbs up, by Vinayak Chakravorty, india today : ...The drama and the violence regale, as do the witty winks at all things Bollywood, which has forever consumed the small town popular psyche.... full review

Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...Everything from the gritty action, crude dialect, offbeat music, engaging camerawork is authentic to the core and adds to the effect... full review

Thumbs up, by Gaurav Malani, indiatimes : ...It's indulgence, rather over-indulgence, that sabotages the sequel to an extent. ... full review

Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Guns, gangsters and gamchas…need we say more? Go for it!... full review

Thumbs up, by Karan Anshuman, Mumbai Mirror : ...Nawazuddin Siddiqui steps into Manoj Bajpayee’s chappals with much confidence as the main lead here... full review

Thumbs up, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...Dark humour is indeed the film’s lifeline and it shines through on a number of occasions.... full review

Thumbs up, by Jaykumar Shah, Planet Bollywood : ...Dialogues for the movie (Zeishan and Anurag Kashyap) give a beautiful earthly feel to the almost unrealistic backdrop of violence... full review

Thumbs up, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...The women are as important to the proceedings as the men, if not more, even if deprived of screentime.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Reuters : ...there isn’t too much of a story to narrate — this is a film you should enjoy for its moments.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sonia Chopra, Sify Movies : ...you'll enjoy the second part more if you've absorbed the first. Only then will the pointlessness of stretching a war across generations strike you as it does the characters. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Sudhish Kamath, The Hindu : ... If there's one filmmaker who has earned that right, it’s Anurag Kashyap. He deserves that Hall Pass to go out and make whatever he wants because there are very few filmmakers who make films like he does. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Madhureeta Mukherjee, Times of India : ...The story is astutely interspersed with bursts of music (Bihari folkish tunes with a modern twist), humour (crass and rural), high drama and sudden relief - like a sexual climaxing... full review

Thumbs up, by Reel Reptile, Upper Stall : ...In a story where revenge runs hand in hand with greed to trump family honor, it is clear that Kashyap may not have had enough time to demonstrate the after-effects of a major death on screen, often resulting in large bouts of emotional discontinuity.... full review

Thumbs up, by Kunal Guha, yahoo! India : ...Ugly Betty fans will find a new idol in Faisal Khan who manages to go from the lowest common denominator to the sum of all evil.... full review

Thumbs up, Zee News : ...Trust Kashyap to be untrustworthy. Just when you think you can breathe for a while, you are hit where it hurts the most.... full review

So-So, by Anjum Shabbir, Bolly Spice : ...It is probably 3 stars for both parts put together, purely as it is a complete cinematic attempt from Anurag Kashyap and a complete cinematic experience for the viewers, but it’s 2 ½ stars for part two alone!... full review

So-So, by Prathamesh Jadhav, Bollywood Life : ...Kashyap has done a superb job of portraying a daring tale not many filmmakers would even think of venturing into. But the intelligent director squeezes so much into the screenplay that it becomes difficult to connect the dots. ... full review

So-So, by Smita, Desi Martini : ...Maybe, it needs to be seen as one whole movie with 4 breaks to fully enjoy the experience.... full review

So-So, by Aniruddha Guha, DNA : ...In moments that allow you to sit back and mull over the film’s finer points – and there are a few such moments in GoW2 where you can afford to switch off from what’s happening on screen, sadly – awe for Kashyap’s control over craft outweighs the joy attained from watching a truly satiating film.... full review

So-So, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Kaala rey adds good dramatic effect to part 2 but it’s nowhere near as effective as its preceding compositions. Same goes for the dialogue.... full review

So-So, by Trisha Gupta, FirstPost : ...Its visual flair, its absolutely remarkable performances, its piquant dialogues – these are enough to cancel out any instinctive annoyance one might feel at its maddening refusal to kowtow to any notion of plot.... full review

So-So, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Overlong and tiring, this film is saved by memorable characters and the fine actors who bring them to life. ... full review

So-So, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...GOW2 is a follow-through that is shot through with flashes of brilliance, and some wonderful comic verve, but that doesn’t have the enthralling power and spread of the first film. ... full review

So-So, by Janhavi Samant, MiD DAY : ...Like one of the rickety jeeps in the film, Gangs II continues to load characters and rudely offload them at will on a rather pointless gunshot-ridden journey. ... full review

So-So, by Mansha Rastogi, Now Running.com : ...more gore than the first but less entertainment... full review

Thumbs down, by Anna Vetticad, annavetticadgoes2themovies : ...Gangs of Wasseypur 2 didn’t work for me. That’s it. There’s nothing much to say beyond that. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Deepa Deosthalee, Film Impressions : ...Add to that the introduction of several new characters including Shamshad (Raj Kumar Yadav) and the original drama of rivalry between two families is compromised.... full review

Thumbs down, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Apart from Siddiqui and the actor who plays his 14-year-old brother, it is Huma Qureshi who steals the thunder with her 'out of the box' act.... full review

Thumbs down, by Roshni Devi, koimoi : ...Watch it only if you love revenge stories and bloodshed.... full review

Thumbs down, by Sanjukta Sharma, Live Mint : ...But like the first film, Gangs of Wasseypur II has no explanation of why these gangs operate, or the social system that breeds them. It is the invisible backstory.... full review

Thumbs down, by Swati Rohatgi, STARDUST : ...Richa Chadha maintains her acting throughout the film and does a brilliant job. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Shougat Dasgupta, Tehelka : ...Like the precocious child too aware of being cute, Gangs of Wasseypur is ultimately irritating.... full review

94 tweeters(?) - 87 yays 3 so-so 4 nays

WomanHandled: Gangs of Wasseypur-2 @ #PVRCinemas, #DeepMultiplex #Baroda. Pumped up. Faizal Khan! #AnuragKashyap thank You for #GOW #DevD & others

wildchild0612: What can I say about GOW 2..go watch it ASAP..

Weeneeet: Gangs Of Wasseypur II was good. Part I was better, I feel.

vivek_mogal: Gangs of Wasseypur 2.... awesome... one hell of a movie...!!!

veereshkalmath: GoW-2 pelpendicular... definite.. tangent... must watch

Varsha1901: Gang of Wasseypur II is yet another classic with characters beautifully etched out but a tad stretched!

urfis: #GOW the complete movie is such a gripping experience itz stays with u long after the light come on! A total winner! @WasseypurWorld

URajvanshi: Absolutely Remarkable Performances. Double ThumbsUp for Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur II.

ThePuccaCritic: Last #re of the night: http://thepuccacritic.blogspot.in/2012/08/gangs-of-wasseypur-2.html #GoW2 #review. Read, share till I watch it again 2mrw morning.

TheExiler: Gangs Of Wasseypur -II Osum movie....Faizal Khan Rocks.......

sunny_sawhney87: gangs of wasseypur II - a very satisfying end to an awesome duology...these films deserve a cult status.. #GOW

Sumukhkhond: GOW 2 is the best goonda movie of this century till date...hands down...Anurag kashyap rocks..

SudhishKamath: Gangs of Wasseypur 2: Nobody can make films like Kashyap. Nobody would dare either. I bow to the passion & indulgence but not the film. 7/10

sudhanshub16: Oh I louuuuuve this pic. #GOW 2. @faizalskhan http://twitter.com/sudhanshub16/status/233294798642085888/photo/1

singhvijaysingh: GOW 2 is a brilliant movie.....

siddharth_k: Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, Gangs of Wasseypur 2 was. Incredible movie.

shroboshi: GOW 2 is simply superb!!! Hats off to nawauddin...

shatanand007: Gangs of wasseypur-II,,,a superhit movie without a khan....a 'definite' watch

Saumil_J: Gangs of Wasseypur II, the masterpiece of film making. Violence with Humor, some fantastic performances. Watch it.

satyajitdas84: jo bhi bolo lekin maja chauchak aaya, film to badhiya thi hi lekin darshak deergha se uthne waali gaaliyan aur majedaar thi #GOW

sanjay1904: GOW 2 - a true entertainer !! @abhismiles82 lets watch 2 parts in same go.. wat say :)

saharan4z: GOW II awesome movie. Had a great time with mum n bro. Loved the characters Faizal n Perpendicular.

Sagar_S: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 rocks \m/ Keh ke Purmisan lunga!

sada_e_muslim: Gangs of Wasseypur 2: The perfect ending http://nblo.gs/ALK3o

RjDhvanit: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 is better than part 1. More gripping. Only for those who can digest unmitigated violence.... http://fb.me/2b05V4tHc

RisqueDoer: So cant get enough of GoW ll ! @ankash1009 is a god-sent story-teller !

rajeshkovil: GOW 2 a bit slower than the the 1st but a must watch. Again the treatment of the story is fabulous.

rahulmishra2k5: Just saw Gangs of Wasseypur 2.Only difference is that mind has been blown exponentially this time.#GoW2

rahulgrover88: #GOW part 2 is truely an India's Godfather ,better than I would say , superb direction , editing and what a screenplay ..must watch !!

rahulforeshadow: Tremendous. GOW 2 IS A MUST WATCH...

pushpender007: Gangs of wasseypur 2 is the best movie ever! Nothing like you've ever seen in bollywood movies. Anurag kashyap Rules, The best director.

punit_online: sir many many thanks for making GOW @ankash1009 AND specially for shootng in bhagalpur!my hometown.

priyansh_satan: Gangs of Waseypur Part 2. Bloody Brilliant. #KehKeLii

princeverma: Watched Gangs of Wasseypur 2, amazing story of hate & war spanning multiple generations. Must watch. http://4sq.com/NosR8O

PraveshHumane: So finally Faizal Khan ne Keh ke le Li....;)Gangs of Wasseypur 2... Good one...!! :D #MovieReview

pravek8: GOW-2 super awesome!!!

pratik_8787: GOW 2 ...jst toooo good... an awesome strong movie... All d actors have exceptionally done the gr8 job...kudos to GOW team...

prashanthg78: #GOW n #GoW2 dek..aur picture banana seek pagal..RT @RGVzoomin: Jin logon ko kuch aur kaam nahi hai.. sirf wahi log pyar karte hai

pragyabinani: Gangs of wasseypur 2, what a movie!power packed bomb!

oceanian: GoW II was watched & thoroughly devoured. Quentein+Coppola=Kashyap Godfather+Desparado+Inglorious Basterds=GoW Yes,its an epic of a movie

NishantJayaswal: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 .. Kuch baat toh hai ... Awesome ...

nirav_wadhwa10: Gangs of Wasseypur II... What a movie!! Truly amazing..

nikhilsince86: Gangs of wasseypur 2 hits you hard .. just loved it ..

nehhadwivedi4: Definitely a perpendicular to this tangent Wow!!!# GOW rocks truely..

MumbaiBoss: Friday night movie - The Bourne Supremacy or Gangs of Wasseypur II? Our vote's for the crackling GofW sequel. http://mumbaiboss.com/2012/08/09/film-review-gangs-of-wasseypur-ii/

MinistryofHumor: Gangs of Wasseypur II - Bahut Khoob, Bahut Khoob...!!! An ardent cinema fan would realize for sure the 'awesome'... http://fb.me/1eUXFALJU

Milindkher: Saw GOW 2 today. Powerful movie. Must see..

Milibooo: Gangs of wasseypur 2. Simply brilliant. A must watch.beautiful acting . Flawless direction .

mhnyaar: GOW-2 is mad, insane, beastly, powerful and interesting ! Hats off Anurag Kashyap and Sneha Khanwalkar ! @WasseypurWorld

MGuruG: Gangs of Wasseypur II is simply brilliant!

mehulmanpreet: I found the true meaning of cinema and the camera was invented for anurag thanks for making GOW life mein ab kuch aur pasand nahi aayega

masto96: GOW 2 dekhi li...achhi hai.....par khair ! zaroori bhi th...syllabus jo poora karna tha .

manasgunner: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 : At times monotonous, brilliant the others. Overall great watch. #gow2

leztah: #GoW 1 & 2 is unlike anything I've seen in Indian cinema. It's just bloody amazing.

kuna1_devil: Jo bhi wrongwa hai usse set rightwa karoji.. Gangs of Wasseypur 2.. Brilliant end!!! #Faizalwa @paranjpe

kiranchitnis: Bourne Legacy & Gangs of Wasseypur 2, must watch movies.

Kiran_km295: #GOW 2 is absolutely brilliant. thank you @ankash1009 for the best movie of the year. wish I could watch one and two back to back.

junijar: Anurag Kashyap is our desi Quentin Tarantino...GOW 1 & 2 are dynamites...modern screen literature to Indian cinema.

jay_s_rathore: Gangs of wasseypur 2.. Simply no words.. Only can say go n watch..

ish_4: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 ! Absolute baapness !

i_tweetu: GoW-2..Anurag K is redefining Hindi Cinema.I found it highly cathartic in experience.Loved characterisation of "Definite",n Band bajawala

harshsagar: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 Awesome Movie. Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Faizal Khan Killed It, Amazing Performance. Beats the 1st part Hands Down!!! #GOW

gauravrohatgi_: GOW 2 is like a roller coaster - its fun, entertaining, violent, brash and not for pregnant ladies. It has its... http://fb.me/Nr6YuvZW

furiouschokri: Gangs of wasseypur 2. Awesome movie. One of the best sequels which makes the 2nd part so much more enjoyable!

FRANK_BOND: GOW 2 mind blowing!!!! Kashyap's direction is masterpiece!!!!

elninowski: We need to watch #GOW I & II to understand why real progress will never happen in our country and really how undemocratic we are as a people

duggibana: I am disappointed..I am not satisfied..I want GOW 3 GOW 4 GOW 5 and 6 and 7 and 8 and....... @anuragkashyapFC ---brother are you listening??

DevashishDryani: Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 ; ah just a good movie.

darshit7: I hardly watch movie again but nawab siddique.made me to do .#anurag gow 2 is the best mov after kahani this year.

CabirMaira: #GOW #GOW2 definitely taking cinema perpendicular on a whole new tangent..fantastic,brilliant, hilarious and doesn't drop for a second #WOW

BJ_baba: #gow (2,too) is far better than wow,, m more overwhelmed than u @ankash1009 coz its now not yours, its ours now. keh ke le li.. kudos

BarneyWinchestr: GOW 2a must watch...Anurag kashyap has really brought a diamond from coal mines of Dhanbad..!

BanGayaKutta: Kudos and Thumbs Up to @ankash1009 for making GoW and changing the face of Indian Cinema. BhaiSa'ab guts chaie aisi movies banane ko. ★★★★★

ayushbajaj94: That included two movies. Gangs of Wasseypur 2 & Step Up 4! Both completely different genres but thoroughly entertaining.

atiqallana: GOW 2 is epic!!!!have become a fan of nawazzuddin , @RichaChadda stole the scene again @ankash1009 take a bow!u r a beauty!!!

AnubhavJalan: wish a cinema hall in mumbai would show GOW I and GOW II in continuum for 5-6 hrs..wud love to watch it back to back..@AKFPL pls try for it

ankurdpathak: Watched Gangs of Wasseypur 2 last night. Superb. Better than the first part.

ankiihigh: GOW 2 awesome storyline can feel the jharkhand in me #bliss

anjy957: Wat a movie...amazing...awesome.. wow wow wow #GOW 2 :D

anindya_boffins: Once upon a time #GOW meant Gears of War! Merchandise, gaming competitions, etc! Now, it's undoubtedly Gangs Of Wasseypur!

amnish305: if sm1 tells u that gang of wasseypur-2 is twice as gud as part 1....then they'd b lying to u.....coz itz 4 tyms as gud....#Gow2

adityavnathan: This. RT @leztah Saw the #GoW marathon yesterday. It was awesome. Kill Bill + Godfather soaked in a barrel of fermenting desi daru.

adityakesarkar: Keh ke leli, Kar diye sina total chaalii! - Gangs of Wasseypur 2; its just awesome and its thrill can kill with an cardiac arrest.

AddyBrainwave: The complete movie has been made with such micro level details, it blows your fucking mind! #GoW

AanchalSharmaa: Gow 2 was Amazingly Awesome!! Trust me, I never faced those mini heart attacks ever b4 in a Bollywood Movie! @WasseypurWorld @ankash1009

_Rocky: Watched gangs of wasseypur 2... Class movie..awesome direction. Don't miss it.

_DesiGirl: Gangs of Wasseypur 2. Check. Awesomeness alert. But GOW 1 was indeed an overdose of awesomeness. :)

Zeal_zEuS: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 was nice but not as great as the Part 1.

vishalpdogra: Gangs of wasseypur 2 is good till 2hrs 30 mins the last 10 mins disappoint me and ruin the experience...

saroose: #REVIEW: Gangs of Wasseypur 2 http://bit.ly/P4bwFg ***/*****

viciousbohemian: GoW 2: Fail.

RahulOjha: Let down majorly by its writing, 'Gangs Of Wasseypur 2' was a slight disappointment. #GoW2

maximaminima: End of a long day, gangs of wasseypur 2 watched! Not as impressed...

d_ramanathan: Badla toh le liya apna Faizal lekin mazaa nahi aaya #GOW

8 readers - 4 yays 2 so-so 2 nays

Want to Watch, by Juan Mata : Nice

Want to Watch, by Rahul

Yay! Thumbs Up, by harish iyer : Yet Another Foray Into A Forbidden Territory Of The Human Mind - Revenge, Wrath, Lust and Anurag

Yay! Thumbs Up, by hj : http://bit.ly/P6NMC2

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Murtaza Ali : Gangs of Wasseypur II, like Wasseypur I, has its flaws and seems overdramatic at times, but despite

Yay! Thumbs Up, by Vikrant Shetty : Kick Ass

So-So, by guddu : Huh ..

So-So, by Raj : Opportunity lost with enthusiasm and zeal - uncontrolled show of ugliness. Sorry!

Nay! Thumbs Down, by critic

Nay! Thumbs Down, by Samir

This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.

Plot Summary

Danish (Vineet Singh) and Faisal (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) are left to avenge the murder of their father, Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpai) at the hands of Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia) and Sultan (Pankaj Tripathi) who were already being sought for revenge by Sardar for the murder of his father.

What Worked

  • Geometry lessons, Wasseypur style
  • The use of the band in which Yashpal Sharma sings songs from 20 years ago at high pitch. Things like these add to the reality of the film.
  • The reaction of Faisal's sidekicks when he commits his second murder. The channa-chewing, ear-itcher was a hoot!
  • I love the way Faisal has clearly no clue how to woo a woman and yet he manages, as if his ineptness is his charm.
  • Faisal's proposal to Mohsina.
  • The aging joke between Faisal and Mohsina.
  • The paradox in the line on cinema by Ramadhir Singh.
  • The climax.

What did not

Note: This section simply lists the things that I did not like in this movie. This is not the overall impression about this movie. Please read the full review here

  • The exaggerated sounds of the Faisal-Mohsina's first night together. Sounded slapsticky and out-of-place.
  • The bar dance.

Nitty-Gritty

This section lists things that I think are not important to the overall impact of the movie. In most cases, it could be explained away by something like, "we noticed the glitch after the scene was shot and there were schedule/budget issues and thus we could not re-shoot it". I like giving the makers the benefit of doubt, but I am amused nevertheless. Hopefully, they will tickle you too.

  • Richa Chaddha's hair/wig which was supposed to make her look older. Didn't work.

Parental Guidance:

Not for kids, for sure.
- Violence: We can most likely count the number of non-violent scenes in the film.
- Language: Full of profanity.
- Nudity & Sexual content: A bar dance. Mention of and references to sex.
- Concept: The futility of revenge.
- General Look and Feel: Gritty and rustic.

Detailed Ratings (out of 5):

Direction:
Story:
Lead Actors:
Character Artists:
Dialogues:
Screenplay:
Music Director:
Lyrics:

Comments (16)

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Was fortunate enough to catch Part 1 in Geneva. They were screening it in a theatre and in Hindi. In spite of the insanely high expectations that I had from the film, it was immensely enjoyable. Each shot is lovingly crafted and the background score is exemplary. An engaging screenplay, quirky dialogues and brilliant acting only embellish it further. A must watch, and I enjoyed it.

In short, can't wait for the 2nd part, whenever they screen it in this part of the world.

This might be Anurag Kashyap's epic gang lord film but it's still missing the awe of Pulp fiction , Scaraface and Godfather . I loved Vastaav , Company and Satya as well made gangster films but this one except for the quirky characters with exception some plot dynamics didn't had anything else to make me appreciate . I didn't found anything new or amazing in both the films .

B.H.Harsh

So great to see a review up so early :)
I am somewhat apprehensive about the climax... but other, I think Anurag Kashyap decided to have all the fun he could... in true QT style!!

Particularly agreed with this one - "And for that I love it =E2=80=93 making me enjoy something I don't understand."
:)

B.H.Harsh

*otherwise

@Guddu Agree. But if you don't compare, stand alone it's and enjoyable, character-driven, thoughtful film.

@Harsh Thank you. If movie is out early, I can get a review out early :D I have a feeling you won't be disappointed with the climax. Let's see... :)

i am soon going to write a full fledged article about the women in anurag kashyap's films.

they are the ones who drive the story, even if the story has men men and more men, the protagonist in his films is always a woman.

@harish I know. At cursory glance they do like second fiddles or sidekicks but there is something very strong about their presence.

B.H.Harsh

@Meetu: heyyyyy... I saw it last nite myself :D
I meant I haven't yet made up my mind about the climax.. (it somewhat left me underwhelmed)

@Harsh oh like that. hmmm...

Raj

How come such excellent ratings in all departments leaves it for - "The keen must watch it on screen - else DVD"?

It is easy to criticize - but even though let me indulge - it seems no critic/ reviewer has guts to say that an immature child has learnt a tool call 'direction', and is playing with it by imagining himself to be intellectual and presenting the world with a crass, obtuse & gross cinema - imagining it that people will call it a cult - because things shown are never shown before on screen.

Sad!

18 crores in making a film, 18 crores in marketing it! Did not everyone review it GREAT CINEMA with their media channels time booked, screened, paid for a good review?

Cult! I believe the stupid process.

hj

I really liked the first part, maybe because of Manoj's teasing and playful depiction of Sardar Khan and the humor he brought into it. But hey, this is no less either, although i felt a bit dragging in the end.

@Raj The overall rating reflects how I liked the film and what my recommendation is. The detailed rating reflects what departments made it a go or no go for me. Point being that excellence in a few departments doesn't necessarily mean it is a great film. Likewise, although rarely, even if the film might be ok-ok in a few departments or even bad, the overall experience might be much better.

As for your second point, I thought the film was good. Whether it is great or not I will know only when I watch both parts together, like I think it was intended.

I don't get the term 'Cult' film. A good film is a good film is a good film. Or not. Period.

Raj

I understand Meetu, it is like a student score 80-95 marks in all individual subjects (English, Maths, Chemistry, History etc.) - but still we dont like the student - individual scores dont add to build a likablility.

'Cult' is a movie that is normally a low budget movie mostly showing never seen before on screen - horrow, violence, blood, drugs, violence, torture, sex, gore or nauseating toilet humor - and develops a devoted small group of fan base, who are obliged to praise that B-C grade movie. This small base following extends to several generations (each generations has got those frenzy loopy characters), affecting psychological deviants in the society who feel so imbibed in the cult of what is shown on screen - that they start practicing such things in real life.

It makes me smile when someone attempts to make a 'cult' base. I think its a de-generated human outlook. I think AK is trying to follow that path with psuedo-intellectuality.

critic

very boring,very abusive and violent,seems like documentry,music is poor,

Samir

It had admittedly a few brilliant moments which were ravenously devoured by Kashyap's self indulgence and overall cacophony. Its violence/profanity commits the ultimate sin of cinema---- after benumbing you it bores you! For once, I couldn't disagree more with your review, Meetu.

@Raj Yes, something like that. 'Cult' - Somehow, I don't like to label films like that or even calling it 'for masses' vs 'for classes'. A film is a film. You like it or you don't. In the same tone, somehow, I can't make myself think why a filmmaker made a film. I tend to look at it from what he/she intends to convey/do with the film, within the context of the film only - nothing to do with what he is like personally and what his agenda other than being a director of that film is. I believe that by doing that I increase my chances of liking a film. And that's what I want for myself, like more films. :D I hope that makes sense, :)

@critic ouch!

@Samir hmmm...fortunately it didn't bore me one bit. And as far as disagreeing about a film goes - I have yet to meet two people whose views about films match one-on-one for every single film. Toh, ye toh ek na ek din hona hi tha. :) What I do hope though is, if you read the review before watching the film, you got a fair idea of why I liked the film and you could make a judgement of whether or not it would work for you.

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