Based in Calcutta during its most unsettled times in the 1970s, the film deals with the inseparable life of Bikram and Bala. The story of 2 boys, boys who became refugees. Refugees who became gun couriers. Gun couriers who became coal bandits, coal bandits who became Calcuttas most loved, most celebrated, most reckless, most fearless, Most Powerful! A story of two happy-go-lucky renegades who came to be known as...GUNDAY!
"Gunday," directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, may be preposterous, but it's rarely dull. And when Mr. Khan and Ms. Chopra are on screen it's something more. It's downright enjoyable.
Viewers with increasing concerns that Bollywood's recent action/comedies are far too reliant on tiresome conventions will see this as further proof; for those simply looking for escapism of the highest order, this romp should do just fine.
Seemingly disparate elements go on to organically weave together into a coherent whole as a buddy/action/crime dramedy, with some exuberant production numbers as infectious icing on the proverbial cake.
Gunday is well made, slickly edited and stays true in its rendering of Kolkata during that turbulent era. But Bachchan fans will have more fun identifying all the references and tropes the movie is stuffed with.
As a '70s throwback it's definitely not alone in recent years. And yet "Gunday" is a thunderously entertaining movie, which is down to its cast and director.
