Gritty and ambitious, but its sprawling length tests patience before Part 2 arrives.
Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.
Critic consensus
Critics received Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 with broadly positive but measured enthusiasm, with most praising Anurag Kashyap's ambitious, gritty filmmaking style and the film's authentic setting, character work, and riveting performances. Several reviewers highlighted its fearless departure from conventional Indian cinema formulas and its hyper-real portrayal of gang violence and power struggles across generations. The most consistent criticism was the film's excessive length and lack of narrative economy, with multiple critics noting that the indulgent runtime left them feeling exhausted rather than fully satisfied. A handful of reviewers also withheld complete judgment, citing the need to see Part 2 before delivering a final verdict.
Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10
AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors
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Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated
Top critic
Film review ·
'Gangs Of Wasseypur' is a sprawling, exuberant, ferociously ambitious piece of film making, which hits most of its marks. It reunites Anurag Kashyap with exactly the kind of style he is most comfortable with : hyper masculine, hyper real, going for the jugular.
Top critic
Film review ·
Bolstered by its riveting performances and its thrilling plot dynamics, this is a gripping film that seizes your full attention. I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for Anurag Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur. Despite its occasionally indulgent narrative, this bullet-ridden saga is worthy of a repeat viewing, if only to catch all its nuances. Don't miss it.
Top critic
Film review ·
It may not be for the faint-hearted and the prissy. Gangs of Wasseypur is a heavyweight knockout punch. You're down for the count!
Top critic
Film review ·
Gangs of Wasseypur is by turns absorbing and frustrating. Watching it feels like gorging on too much good food, leaving you feeling more exhausted than satiated. But there is enough in the sound and fury to enjoy.
Top critic
Film review ·
Yet it is the excess that suffocates all the magic, originality dying out for lack of room to breathe. Kashyap gets flavour, setting and character right, but the lack of economy cripples the film. There is a lot of gunfire, but like the fine actors populating its sets, Wasseypur fires too many blanks.
Film review ·
This one's a gang bang. Sorry, make that a gang bang-bang; because that's how this story explodes - with bullets, blasts and bust-ups. Throw in gallons of blood, body-counts and 'boom-boom', true Bihari ishtyle. It doesn't need coal to fuel this revenge drama. It fires on Anurag Kashyap's penchant for the dark, dubious, deadly and daring. Starting in 1941, in the dusk of colonial India, in Wasseypur (Dhanbad), the land of coal and scrap trade, simmers an age-old hatred between Muslims and Muslims (Qureshis V/S Pathans). And the bloodbaths, power struggles, family feuds and gang wars rage over three generations.
Film review ·
On the whole, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR symbolizes the fearless new Indian cinema that shatters the clichés and conventional formulas, something which Anurag Kashyap has come to be acknowledged for. It has all the trappings of an entertainer, but with a difference. The film prides itself with substance that connects with enthusiasts of new-age cinema. But, I wish to restate, one needs to have a really strong belly to soak up to a film like GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. Also, this striking movie-watching experience comes with a colossal length and duration. The reactions, therefore, would be in extremes. GANGS OF WASSEYPUR is for that segment of spectators who seek pleasure in watching forceful, hard-hitting and gritty movies.
Film review ·
Even though there's so much going for GOW I, there's something always amiss, something that leaves you underwhelmed after all those expectations. May be it's a hope of a dashing GOW II. Let's wait and watch.
Film review ·
Considering it's a complex film, handling the moods of his different characters would have taken a lot from Kashyap. He gives a 'close to reality' dose of cinema without taking the crude layer off.
Film review ·
If there is one thing for sure this film is both a history and geography lesson of Wasseypur. As Anurag said himself as the London preview screening "If you Google search Wasseypur the place will not come up, only the film will!" He has clearly put Wasseypur on the map and I, like many, will reserve my final judgement until I watch the second part.
From our readers
27 ratings · user score 8.1
It is diligently written and directed by Anuarg Kashyap. It looks like just a revenge drama but has many more layers than you can think. Manoj Bajpayee makes sure that he is here to stay with his ruthless portrayal of central character. Special mention for Richa Chaddha. She is the one to be watched out for in coming times. Don't miss this movie if dark crime dramas excite you.
A Great Screenplay Turned Into An Epic Crime Drama By Anurag & Co.Manoj Is Excellent
Gangs of Wasseypur was the six hour two-parter I related with the most this year. Set in the mafia ecosystem of Dhanbad (Jharkhand), the film effectively captures the lifestyle of Wasseypur's conflicting Muslim communities, and it has enough of the charm to get invested. The backstory of what I wrote, actually, is based on the fact that I belong to Dhanbad and I knowwhat happened actually. The film is exactly what happened (although in reality it might be a little more dark and bold). This environment is unlikeable, but it is also colourful enough. Anurag Kashyap fills energy and storytelling in both the 'halves' like strong potions. The writing, performances of various actors (I especially enjoyed Tigmanshu, Manoj, Nawaz, Rajkummar, Zeishan and Huma) are strong. Easily the best of this year, and one of the best films Hindi cinema ever got. I'm going with 4 out of 5 for tge first part of 'GoW'. For me, its even relatable.
Credits
Manoj BajpayeeSardar Khan (based on Shafiq Khan)
Tigmanshu DhuliaRamadhir Singh
Nawazuddin SiddiquiFaizal Khan
Reema Sen
Richa ChadhaNagma Khatoon
Huma QureshiMohsina
Shabana Azmi
Rajkummar Rao
Piyush Mishra
Jameel KhanAsgar Khan
Jaideep AhlawatShahid Khan
Murari Kumar
Pankaj TripathiSultan Qureshi
Vipin SharmaEhsaan Qureshi
Vineet Kumar SinghDanish Khan
Mukesh ChhabraNawab khan
Anurita JhaShama Parveen
Pramod PathakShareef Qureshi AKA Sultana Daaku / Badoor Qureshi
Harish KhannaYadav ji
Yashpal SharmaHindi films like Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1
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