Shootout at Wadala

Shootout at Wadala (2013) is a riveting Indian action crime thriller, helmed by detective genre specialist director Sanjay Gupta. The movie includes a talented cast, starring prominents such as Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, and Manoj Bajpayee, who deliver phenomenally powerful performances. The story of the film is inspired by the first-ever registered encounter by Bombay Police, where gangster Manya Surve was shot dead, an incident that took place at Wadala, Bombay, in 1982.

John Abraham portrays the character of Manya Surve, the notorious yet intriguing gangster whose life story forms the crux of the narrative. On the other side of the law, Anil Kapoor plays the role of ACP Afaaque Baagraan. He is an upright cop in the Bombay Police Force who is torn between doing his duty and his human instincts. Meanwhile, Manoj Bajpayee essays the role of a cutthroat gangster named Zubair Imtiaz Haskar, one of the dominating underworld figures of Bombay during the time. The film explores the complex world of crime, power struggles and the dynamics of the underworld in Bombay during the '70s and '80s.

The narrative of Shootout at Wadala is a compelling journey that showcases the transformation of an innocent college boy, Manya Surve, into one of the most feared gangsters of Bombay's underworld. Surve is a well-educated man who is serving a life imprisonment sentence for a murder that he didn't commit in the year 1970. However, in the brutal and unforgiving prison environment, he transforms himself to survive and breaks free. He then joins hands with his best friend Sheikh Munir (Tusshar Kapoor) and desperately yearns to rule the Mumbai underworld scene.

Besides showing the journey of Manya Surve, the film also dwells into the themes of friendship, love, and treachery. John Abraham's character, Surve, is seen in an intense love angle with Kangana Ranaut, who essays the role of his love interest, Vidya. She adds a layer of fragrance in the otherwise gore and dark underworld tale, portraying a girl torn between love and distancing herself from Manya’s violent path.

As a part of the police force, Anil Kapoor and his team, which includes Ronnie Bagran (played by Ronit Roy), also play a critical role, providing the law enforcement perspective of the story. Their aim, bringing down the monstrous criminals who were rapidly transforming Bombay into a hotspot for gang wars and illicit activities, adds yet another dimension to this multi-faceted narrative.

The film is artfully shot with a gritty, raw appeal to maintain the authenticity of the period. It successfully creates a stark and realistic depiction of Bombay during the '70s and '80s, complete with flawless costume design and location choices, demonstrating the director’s attention to detail.

The film's music, composed by Anu Malik, benefits the movie's narrative with a powerful combination of melodies that become effective plot enhancers in many ways. Tracks like 'Babli Badmaash', sung by Sunidhi Chauhan, and 'Aala Re Aala' voiced by the talented Mika Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan, achieved considerable popularity.

Shootout at Wadala delivers a deadly punch of high-octane action and drama. It skilfully brings to life the tale of crime and tumultuous happenings in the city of Bombay from decades ago. Above all, the film shines light on India's criminal underworld and narrates the gripping tale of one man's journey through treacherous paths, where survival and power become the only two rules of the game. The movie is geared for those who love thrilling tales, action and hard-hitting dialogues, along with a sneak peek into the world of crime and law enforcement. The movie's engaging and fast-paced narrative ensures that viewers remain at the edge of their seats till the very end.