The major strength of Anurag Kashyap’s GANGS OF WASSEYPUR series was its writing and electrifying characterization (along with the brutal execution on screen) that worked perfectly with the rustic genre of the film unarguably. So when the talented co-writer and actor of GOW, Zeishan Quadri comes up with his directorial debut written by himself then it obviously raises your expectation to sky high, excitingly looking for many innovative as well as entertaining characters such as Definite (played by himself), Perpendicular, Tangent and a lot more.
However, maybe it was the reputation of a path-breaking triumph achieved in the past or the over-excitement (or confidence) of handling a solo project with an interesting cast, Quadri’s MEERUTHIYA GANGSTERS doesn’t turn out to be as engrossing and impressive as expected with only few engaging moments towards the end, questionably once again made on an ‘all repetitive script’ delivering the routine content.
Yes, as a writer he does create many catchy characters giving you the raw feel of a small town gang, their unplanned loots and gang-wars. But fails to infuse any fast paced thrill on the screen lacking that likeable charm and finesse in many potential sequences. Clearly accepting a heavy Tarantino influence, the film begins focusing on a group of goons discussing their latest crime with the camera constantly revolving around them in circles creating an avoidable, uneasy feel and later has an ‘ear cutting scene” too strongly indicating towards QT’s RESERVOIR DOGS (1992). As you get to know more side-characters introduced next (played by some known names), one honestly starts expecting something fresh or never seen before to surface soon in either the plotline or execution coming from the promising Quadri.
Surprisingly nothing of that sort happens in the entire first hour and the film keeps moving without any excitement as such heading towards the same old familiar theme of ‘kidnapping and ransom scheme gone wrong’ offering nothing novel or appreciable in terms of entertainment or return of your money spent.
In short the major saving grace of the project remains its occasional humour and the last 45 minutes when one of them gets shot willfully and the investigations actually begin bringing the viewer in. The second feature that doesn’t let you write-off MEERUTHIYA GANGSTERS completely is its performances with all fine actors playing their given roles sincerely including Jaideep Ahlawat, Aakash Dahiya, Chandrachur Rai, Vansh Bhardwaj, Jatin Sharma, Shadab Kamal and Nushrat Bharucha as the only leading lady in the goon’s team. Plus providing their professional support to the youngsters are Sanjay Sharma (as Mama ji), Brijendra Kala (as the employer) and Mukul Dev as the rough, arrogant police officer of Meeruth. The film’s music department (including a promotional song by cricketer Suresh Raina), its cinematography, art direction and dialogues try hard to convert it into an underdog venture looking for praises, but I seriously wish the team was given a better script to perform on and create the magic.
Anyway, ending it all with the same (circling) camera movement seen in the film’s first shot, writer- director Zeishan Quadri certainly displays his exceptional cinematic sparks and is sure to bounce back with something better soon.
Till then you can still watch MEERUTHIYA GANGSTERS, only if you can personally relate to the particular region and wish to see an honest collective attempt that should have been a lot better.
Rating : 2 / 5
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MEERUTHIYA GANGSTERS Review By Bobby Sing, New Bollywood Reviews, Bobby Talks Cinema Review, Reviews By Bobby Sing, New Hindi Films Reviews at bobbytalkscinema.com, New Hindi Films Reviews at bobbytalkscinema.com, Tarantino Inspired movies, Has a sequence similar to Reservoir Dogs.
