Gully Boy

In the gritty underbelly of Mumbai's Dharavi slums, Murad Ahmed (Ranveer Singh), a college student on the cusp of graduation, navigates a tumultuous existence. His father, Aftab Shakir Ahmed (Vijay Raaz), brings home a significantly younger second wife, sparking resentment within the family, particularly his mother Razia (Amruta Subhash). Amidst this turmoil, Murad is drawn into a world of crime by his friend Moeen (Vijay Varma) through carjacking ventures. However, Murad's conscience rebels against a life of illicit activities.

As he struggles to find his place in the world, Murad finds solace in rap music, fueled by his fascination with the genre. His long-time girlfriend, Safeena Firdausi (Alia Bhatt), is determined to become a surgeon and harbors possessive tendencies towards Murad. Her relationships with her parents, Nasir (Ikhlaque Khan) and Hamida (Sheeba Chaddha), are marred by secrecy and lies.

Murad's love for rap music transcends his mundane existence as a chauffeur, working part-time to support his family after his father's injury. He begins writing lyrics inspired by the social inequalities he witnesses on the job. This creative outlet leads him to meet Shrikant "MC Sher" Bhosle (Siddhant Chaturvedi), a local rapper who performs at his college festival. Under Sher's guidance, Murad is introduced to the world of underground rap battles and YouTube performances.

As he finds his voice, Murad faces initial difficulties, sharing his writings with Sher before being encouraged to perform his own stories. His debut performance, "Apna time Aayega," leaves him feeling exposed but also emboldened. With Sher's mentorship, Murad learns to harness his emotions and channel them into his lyrics. The duo records a song in a studio, marking the beginning of Murad's journey as a rapper. It is here that he receives the moniker "Gully Boy" from Sher's English girlfriend, further fueling his passion for rap music.

As Aftab's new wife flaunts her newfound power, she reveals a video to Aftab, prompting him to lash out at Murad, urging him to focus on his studies. The catalyst for this outburst is none other than Ateeq (Vijay Maurya), Razia's brother, who offers to secure Murad a sales job upon completing his education. However, Aftab's primary concern is maximizing his return on investment, and he demands that Murad take the job. This development exacerbates Razia's frustration with Aftab and his new wife, as her status in the household is reduced to that of a mere servant.

Meanwhile, Shweta "Sky" Mehta (Kalki Koechlin), a rising musician and Berklee College student, reaches out to Murad and Sher after watching the video, proposing a collaborative effort on a new song. The accompanying visuals, shot in Dharavi, swiftly gain popularity. As their creative partnership flourishes, Murad shares an intimate moment with Sky (a tender kiss in her car), only to later deceive Safeena about it.

When Safeena discovers the truth, she unleashes her wrath upon Sky, shattering a beer bottle on her head. This violent outburst prompts authorities to intervene, but Sky chooses not to press charges, opting instead to forgive and move forward. Murad's relationships with both Sky and Safeena become increasingly complicated as he struggles to reconcile his feelings.

As tensions escalate at home, Aftab's brutality towards his family members reaches new heights. Faced with this toxic environment, Murad decides to leave with his mother and brother, opting for a fresh start under the guidance of Uncle Ateeq Khan. Safeena's parents learn about her involvement in the situation and respond by halting her education, planning instead to arrange her marriage. In a desperate bid to preserve her academic pursuits, Safeena pleads with her father to reconsider.

The consequences of these events unfold as Sky confesses her romantic feelings for Murad, but he declines, still harboring affection for Safeena and seeking reconciliation. However, the harsh realities of poverty soon take their toll, and Murad finds himself forced to resort to jacking cars with Moeen in order to make ends meet. When Moeen is arrested by authorities, he refuses to betray his friend, instead offering words of wisdom: one member of their group has a chance to transcend their circumstances, and it's up to Murad to seize that opportunity, rather than sacrificing his future for the sake of temporary gain.

As the spotlight shines brighter on Murad and Sher, their competitive spirits ignite a fierce determination to take center stage alongside hip-hop legend Nas at his highly anticipated Mumbai concert. The grand prize of Rs 10 Lakh serves as the ultimate motivator, driving both rappers to push their skills to the limit in a grueling rap battle that tests their lyrical prowess and showmanship. While Sher's journey comes to an abrupt end, Murad's meteoric rise continues unabated, fueled by the adoration of his fans and the validation he receives from the crowd.

With his confidence soaring, Murad finally finds the courage to stand tall against Aftab and Ateeq, who had earlier dismissed his passion as a mere pipe dream. The catalyst for this newfound resilience is none other than Safeena, whom he rekindles with after overcoming the doubts that once threatened to derail their relationship.

As the culmination of his hard work and perseverance, Murad takes home the top prize, solidifying his status as one of India's most respected rappers. The film's climax unfolds with a sense of triumph and joy, as Murad's loved ones, including Safeena, gather to witness him take the stage for his debut performance, a moment that will be etched in their memories forever.

In a touching display of camaraderie, Murad uses his winnings to bail out his friend Moeen, underscoring the importance of loyalty and the power of music to bring people together. As the curtain closes on this uplifting tale, Murad's story serves as a testament to the transformative impact that passion, perseverance, and a shared sense of purpose can have on our lives.