Daddy movie review: Arjun Rampal gives commendable performance in Arun Gawli's biopic

Arjun Rampal became the talk of the town after he was roped in for the much talked about movie Daddy. The movie happens to be a biopic on gangster turned politician Arun Gawli.

The movie became an instant topic of discussion as Daddy highlights life of Arun Gawali as a ganster but also shed light on his political career. Arjun was even quoted as saying that he is not glorifying Gawli on screen and is presenting his life story the way it is.

The actor does not believe that he has taken a risk by making a biopic on a gangster rather than opting for an achiever's life as is the norm in Bollywood.

"Any film is a gamble or risk. You don't know what film is what. Like 'Neerja' is a a biopic on an air hostess. Who would have thought that it will work? Every film is a risk as the idea or story might sound interesting but it can either go right or wrong," he says.

Now after creating much of the buzz, Daddy has finally hit the theatres on Septemeber 8 and if you are planning to grab a ticket of the movie, take a look at the quick review of the Arjun Rampal starrer by leading dailies:

Deccan Chronicle: Since Daddy is based on the life of a local gangster Arun Gawli, Ashim tries his best to recreate 1970s and he remains successful in technical aspects. The background score is the highlight of the film which will take you to that era. Costumes, hair and make up are too good. The art direction of the film is excellent. Once you will reach the interval point, you will actually take few seconds to come out of that era. The song 'Dance Dance' featuring Natasa Stankovic is conceptualised very well too. First half should have been a little pacier than what it is. It takes you on a detailed journey of 'Daddy' which could have been easily chopped off a bit. However, the film is brilliantly shot, but again it is narrated in a very mediocre way. The film lacks mass appeal. Second half of the film is haywire. Looks like Ashim just loses his concentration in keeping the thriller element in the film. The film looks more like a boring documentary of 135 minutes about Arun Gawli.

Firstpost: From a bloody killing in 2011 to a flashback to 1976, forward to 2012, back to 1987, forward again to 2012 we hear various stakeholders tell their version of the story of the once feared and revered gangster, Arun Gawli. Cops, colleagues and consorts of former gang members share details of the man who became known as Daddy in Dagdi Chawl. From raids on matka dens to smuggling and becoming aligned with local don Maqsood (Farhan Akhtar), Gawli gets entrenched in Bombay’s underbelly. Ahluwalia does not shy away from showing the hold of cold ambition or brutal and bloody killings. There’s a fine scene of a shootout around a building’s lift shaft that captures the establishment of the B.R.A. gang named after Babu Reshim (Anand Ingale), Rama Naik (Rajesh Shringarpure) and Arun Gawli.

DNA: Director Ashim Ahluwalia successfully recreates the 80s and 90s of Mumbai which helps the film look real. A lot of attention has been paid to make Daddy a technically sound movie. Dagdi Chawl which later turns into Gawli's fortress has been beautifully captured by the camera. A performance heavy film, Daddy is a challenge that Arjun Rampal tackles with utmost ease. His scenes in the second half, where he plays the older Gawli, are remarkable. Also, he avoids falling into the trap of making his gangster a caricature. The supporting cast of Nishikant Kamat, Anand Ingale, and Rajesh Shringarpure are all apt in their roles. There is ample tension and thrill in the second half when the pace picks up to keep you engaged.

Zee News: Arjun as Gawli is not just convincing but also impressive in the way he mastered the latter's walk, accent and even small gestures. Gawli's Mumbai dates back to the 70s when Underworld was gaining ground and the financial hub of the country was in its claws. The narrative moves in constant flashbacks where his entire journey—right from his chawl days, robbery, killings to being a changed man has been captured. We are told that people choose a particular path in life depending on their circumstances. So, Gawli became gangster because of poverty and the kind of company he was in.

Indian Express: Arjun Rampal who plays the lead character, is believable only in fits and starts. The prosthetic nose and other cosmetic changes never really fade into the face: the creation of a ‘Robin Hood’-like bad guy who steals from the rich to give to the poor, a line that we hear loud and clear right in the beginning, shackles both his performance. Part of this film’s pleasures is also in how it nails a period, which is either too glossed up in Bollywood mob dramas, or too toned down. Where it falters in creating an exact fit between Rampal, who has clearly worked on his look and the lingo, and the hard-edged gangster he is trying to be. That one central performance could have resulted in a crackling retread of familiar gangsta territory, and given us a riveting account of an individual’s progress, from a guy who couldn’t do anything right to one who wanted to do the right thing.