Movie Review--Shootout at Wadala

Shootout at Wadala (SAW) turns out to be one of India's most finely crafted gangster movies. A movie about the first 'encounter', a term used only by the Mumbai Police and made popular by its bullet-for-bullet retaliation, it shows carefully the scenarios which lead up to the historical confrontation.

Here’s what you feel after the first half hour of the movie-Horrible acting, senseless songs, and overdone dialogues. But you’re still struck by the story, which is breathtaking in its narrative.

And here’s where we give an ode to journalist Hussain Zaidi, and his blockbuster book "Dongri to Dubai". Hussain has the dirt, all of it. There a reason movie directors flock to him. He may not share everything in his books to keep the story fast-based and concentrated at its real topics, but his knowledge and is chronological presentation a gold mine for movie buffs.

A special mention gnarled by the ever-desirable Sunny Leone, who looks her best ever.  It truly worth watching the movie for that one item song itself, and the other item girls (Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Chaudhary) pale in comparison. As predicted in the lyrics, “Laila meri le gayi, aur main likh k de raha hoon”.

I can only give a guy’s perspective on the movie. Maybe am in love with gangster movies (D-Company, Sarkar, Once upon a time in Mumbai, Shootout at Lokandwala). But I think all guys can relate, at least to some degree, with the devil-may-care attitude and the need to rule, to intimidate. A lot of blood flows throughout the movie. But knowing the fact that it all true, and the story told exactly as it happened, makes it -oh so much more real!  The movie contains a volley of well chosen, tasteful (or tasteless, in decent circles) abuses that go very well with the characters and the story-setting.

Some scenes have little discrepancy. Manya Surve is not shown carrying his signature bag of grenades or strapping acid bottles to his legs. The use of knives, the dialogues between Manya and Sabeer, and the lack of the presence of his girl in the Sabeer Ibrahim murder has been obviously imagined for cinema, but depletes nothing from the historic facts if viewer not versed with the actual story. Some other scenes have been under-stated, which pains those who familiar with mafia legacy (like Dawood crushing a 555 cigarette with his bare hands in the historical Haji-Mustan delegated truce scene. The scene has been shown with an off-hand; hence no one in the crowd seemed to notice his crushing of the burning cigarette with naked hands, though it was this very act of Dawood which scared the other hooligans and settled the most important truce till date of the Mumbai Mafia). Though it is easily accepted cinematic liberty, it hurts a little to the novel purists.  

John does justice to role of Manya Surve- from the crop of India's first rough muscular gangsters, at a time most gangsters were either clean shaven and suit clad dons or pure ruffians and hooligans. Though John failed to perform the role of nice-boy Manya, he suits in the role of a gangster. John performs brilliantly in the action scenes, and amazingly well in the angry-love-making scene too! Kangana does a decent job as Manya’s love interest. Anil Kapoor also suits in the role of a trigger-happy cop. Despite some initial reservations about Sonu Sood as Dawood and Manoj as his elder brother Sabeer Ibrahim (one would have imagined the roles to be reversed), they both perform their roles with brilliancy.  

Manya Surve- Actual Photo

The one major complaint with the movie is that the real names of gangsters have not been used, and hence most people in the crowd didn't even recognize that they seeing the story of Dawood Ibrahim as well. It would've connected the crowd more to the story had they been aware of this fact, and it would’ve added to the movie, but am sure the directors must have had their reasons for such an obvious lapse.

Director Sanjay Gupta has made a beautiful comeback after movies like “Dus Kahaniya” and “Acid Factory”, and is welcomed back. The movie has been directed beautifully, with not one slow moment. Showing Manya college marks in credits was an especially good touch, as it leaves the viewer wondering if Manya’s life could have gone any other way, and adds a human touch to an otherwise action based movie. The use of real locations adds to the movie, though we would’ve loved a little less of the dialogues and a little more camera cranking and long still-shots with expressions saying more than words (like Sarkar, or Godfather, for instance).

Go watch the movie, if only for the story. Do NOT go with your parents, and certainly not with any children, if you wish to enjoy the abuses heartily. Imagine the real perpetrators of the crimes, and the power they wielded. I rate the movie a well deserved 4-Star.