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Music drama

Gully Boy (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Gully Boy (2019) movie poster

Gully Boy is a 2019 music drama directed by Zoya Akhtar, starring Ranveer Singh as Murad Ahmed, Gully Boy, Vijay Raaz and Amruta Subhash. It runs 2 hours 33 minutes and earned $28.3 million worldwide on a $5.8 million budget. Critics gave it 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10.

IMDb rating
7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
96%
worldwide gross
$28.3M
Echo Score
78
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Gully Boy (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 33m (153 min)
Director
Zoya Akhtar
Genres
Drama , Music
Original language
Hindi
Budget
$5.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Gully Boy About?

The premise of Gully Boy without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set in the bustling city of Mumbai, this film follows a young man striving to become a successful rapper while navigating the challenges of poverty and social inequality. He and his friend dream of escaping their neighborhood, finding an outlet for their frustrations and ambitions through music and lyrical expression. The story explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams against a backdrop of urban struggles.

Gully Boy Themes & Keywords

· 36 tags
  • rapper
  • singer
  • success
  • love
  • friendship
  • social outcast
  • singing
  • rapping
  • second marriage
  • slum
  • kiss
  • bus
+24 more
  • headphones
  • bare chested male
  • f rated
  • husband wife relationship
  • friend
  • college
  • concert
  • bully
  • rap battle
  • jail
  • police
  • arrest
  • fight
  • driver
  • party
  • child labor
  • boyfriend girlfriend relationship
  • title directed by female
  • female director
  • female filmmaker
  • rap music
  • hip hop music
  • coming of age drama
  • title spoken by character
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Cast & crew

Gully Boy Cast & Characters

Ranveer Singh leads the cast as Murad Ahmed, Gully Boy, with Vijay Raaz as Aftab Shakir Ahmed and Amruta Subhash as Razia Ahmed. Directed by Zoya Akhtar; 15 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Zoya Akhtar

More films directed by Zoya Akhtar, best-rated first: Lust Stories, Ghost Stories, Luck by Chance and The Archies.

Full filmography
Ratings

Gully Boy Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Gully Boy 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and 65 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 78/100, strongest in sensory experience (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

78 /100

Gully Boy Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, Gully Boy delivers a dynamic portrayal of Mumbai’s underground rap scene with a strong sense of purpose and style. The film benefits from Zoya Akhtar’s assured direction and a cast delivering vibrant performances, particularly Ranveer Singh and Siddhant Chaturvedi. Its soundtrack stands out as a core strength, infusing key moments with emotional resonance. While the narrative occasionally leans on familiar underdog tropes and unfolds at a measured pace, the film remains compelling. The result is an engaging drama that resonates through its energy and social insight.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film features assured direction and vibrant cinematography that capture the grit of Mumbai’s streets. Production design convincingly recreates life in Dharavi, while editing maintains momentum during rap sequences. Though some transitions feel familiar, the visual cohesion and framing consistently support the narrative’s emotional stakes. Overall, the technical execution enhances the film’s immersive quality.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, Gully Boy benefits from strong performances and well-defined relationships. Ranveer Singh conveys Murad’s ambition with nuanced intensity, while Siddhant Chaturvedi injects fresh energy as MC Sher. Supporting turns by Alia Bhatt and Vijay Raaz add depth, grounding the narrative in familial and romantic dynamics. Overall, the ensemble fosters genuine emotional engagement throughout the film.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, the film employs a conventional rags-to-riches structure that unfolds with clear momentum. The screenplay balances social commentary with personal struggle, though familiar plot turns and predictable arcs occasionally undercut suspense. Pacing varies between electrifying rap sequences and more measured domestic scenes. Despite these uneven beats, the narrative sustains interest through its thematic focus and relatable underdog journey.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When considering the sensory experience, Gully Boy delivers an impactful audiovisual landscape. The soundtrack and rap tracks stand out as immersive elements, driving key moments with authentic cultural energy. Sound design integrates naturally into both intimate scenes and high-stakes battles, while the visual style employs a vibrant color palette and dynamic framing. Together, these elements create a cohesive sensory atmosphere that deeply complements the narrative.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s energetic performances and compelling soundtrack encourage repeat viewings. Enthralling rap sequences and emotional highlights offer new details on subsequent watches, though the steady pacing may feel less urgent for some viewers over time. The thematic resonance and vivid depiction of the Mumbai rap subculture, however, sustain its lasting appeal. Overall, the film retains sufficient charm to justify revisits.

Plot

Gully Boy Plot Summary

What happens in Gully Boy from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Murad Ahmed, portrayed by Ranveer Singh, is a final-year college student residing in the challenging environment of the Dharavi slums in Mumbai. His life takes a tumultuous turn when his father, Aftab Shakir Ahmed, an abusive man, brings home a much younger second wife. This new family dynamic causes unrest, particularly with Murad’s mother, Razia Ahmed, who feels her status has been reduced to that of a mere maid.

Full summary

The whole story of Gully Boy, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Gully Boy Box Office & Budget

Gully Boy grossed $28.3 million worldwide on a $5.8 million budget, 4.9 times what it cost. $5.6 million came from the US and Canada and $22.7 million (80%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$28.3M

4.9× its budget

US & Canada
$5.6M
International
$22.7M
Budget
$5.8M
US & Canada 20% Rest of the world 80%
Videos

Gully Boy Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Gully Boy.

Gully Boy | Official Trailer | Ranveer Singh | Alia Bhatt | Zoya Akhtar |14th February
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Gully Boy?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Murad's primary passion that helps him escape his tumultuous life?

Details

Gully Boy Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Парень из гетто” and “กัลลีบอย”.

Also known as
  • Парень из гетто
  • กัลลีบอย
  • Gully Boy: A Voz das Ruas
  • Wersy ulicy
  • Sokağın Sesi
  • 걸리 보이
  • 印度有嘻哈
  • Момче от гетото
  • Gully boy: Kluk ze štrýtu
  • גולי בוי
  • 街頭有嘻哈

Seen Gully Boy?

FAQ

Gully Boy FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Gully Boy, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Gully Boy?

Gully Boy runs 2 hours 33 minutes (153 minutes).

When was Gully Boy released?

Gully Boy was released on February 15, 2019.

Who directed Gully Boy?

Gully Boy was directed by Zoya Akhtar.

More films by Zoya Akhtar

Who is in the cast of Gully Boy?

Gully Boy stars Ranveer Singh as Murad Ahmed, Gully Boy, Vijay Raaz as Aftab Shakir Ahmed and Amruta Subhash as Razia Ahmed, among 15 credited actors.

How much did Gully Boy make at the box office?

Gully Boy grossed $28.3 million worldwide ($5.6 million domestic, $22.7 million international) on a budget of $5.8 million.

How is Gully Boy rated?

Gully Boy has 7.9/10 on IMDb, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, 65 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.

Does Gully Boy have a post-credit scene?

No. Gully Boy has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Gully Boy in?

The original language of Gully Boy is Hindi.

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