Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn iff you can

One of the best Bollywood films of 2006, Gangster is an emotionally charged gritty love story that takes its place as one of the best Indian gangster films ever made, and one of the finest films of 2006, Bollywood or not. On the surface, the film fol...(read more) lows a simple story of a woman (Kangana Ranaut) who falls in love with a man who turns out to be a notorious criminal (Shiny Ahuja), and the consequences of that decision inadvertently lead to a lifestyle she grows to discern. Frustrated with her current situation, she eventually falls into the arms of another man (Emraan Hashmi). Beyond this simple story, what happens next through the narratives many twists and turns makes Gangster a film that will not only entertain, but touch your heart as well. While the film possesses a powerful story, its trump card is the films emotionally charged performances. Kangana Ranaut makes her debut as Simran, and is a revelation. She deserved a best debut win and an actress nod for this, if no t for her other release last year, Woh Lamhe. Emraan Hashmi is excellent but underused as Aakash. This is primarily because he doesn't have too much to do for the first half. He shines in the second half. His best acting stint too date. But the real star of the film is Shiny Ahuja. He is absolutely outstanding as the gangster. The flashback scene, the scene where he breaks down in Kanganas lap, and his violent outburst towards the end of the first half are highlights of the film. This role was definitely award-worthy, its criminal he didn't garner any for it. Shiny has proved, in a short time, that he is an actor of enormous caliber. One of the finest performances of 2006, India or not. Beyond acting, the other star is the soundtrack. A massive hit when it released, its a pity the film wasn't as well received as its haunting score. All the songs are shot well (especially Lamhe Lamhe) and are well placed in the film. As always, the direction is well done by Anurag Basu. He proves hes a director of substance after 2003's moving Saaya. The cinematography is well done. Seoul's photogenic locations are put too good use. Overall, Gangster is one of the strongest Hindi films of 2006, and its well worth checking out.

I fail to understand how a movie of this class even manages to make its way into theaters in old Delhi, let alone be screened at PVR and get good reviews. Maybe Hindi cinema has reached such low levels, that if anything that hasn't been re-hashed in the last 2 years is released, everyone applauds that movie for its uniqueness.The story is old and stale, something that's been used over-and-over-and-over-and-over again. Gangster - in love with - bar dancer- cheating with- restaurant singer. Unfortunately I can't tell you the "twist" without putting a spoiler warning, but it's so predictable that you'll guess within the first 5 seconds of the movie.This was the first (and last) of the Emran Hashmi movies that I have seen. Too bad he does so many movies, because now, when deciding which movies to watch, I first remove all of the 30 movies that he does every month from my list. Shiny is completely unutilised. I wonder why he was in the movie at all........oh that's right.....the movie was named after his character. Kangana Ranaut, don't get me started, how did she ever land a movie. She looks great, but her accent is atrocious.All in all, my advice: Do No Watch!!

I'm really amazed how many people writing almost poems about this movie, which is boring copy of a copy of a copy. Script is bad and unoriginal, acting pathetic. And I can call director a scene-stealer. Compare the beginning of Gangster with the beginning of Fallen Angels by Kar Wai Wong - even music is almost the same. The only good thing about this movie is that it didn't last for usual three bollywood hours, but even this two hours was very very long...... Thanks God only two. My principle is that I'm watching movie till the end and after that I'm making judgment. So here it is. Oscar for this? Rather Golden Razzie. Beware. 3/10 only