Gali Guleiyan

A review of this 23017 psychological thriller

An off mainstream presentation that needs patience and deep understanding

Manoj Bajpayee as the main character is portrayed as a voyeur (Khuddoos) who set up a large network of CCTV and monitored them from a ramshackle room.

The director keeps us guessing as to his motives.

He just survives on minimum food, and occasionally alcohol.

He has a very loyal friend Ganeshi (Ranvir Shorey) who is always around to pull him out of trouble.

The director imperceptibly starts on the story of a young teenager’s relationship with another classmate who he tutors in maths. His mother is typical of some girls who have lived a comfortable, sheltered life almost like an angel protected by five brothers, in a large airy bungalow and open space, and then to be thrown into a ‘Galli’, and a ramshackle house with an absentee husband who has a mistress.

The intelligent Idu (Idris) portrayed by Om Singh hated food and adored his mother (Shahana Goswami) and was protective of her. She made him change his mind from running away.

One major murder changed his perspective and leads him on a unique psychological path.

Liyakat is a butcher (Neeraj Kabi), who wants his son ‘Idu’ to be like him and tries, wit brute force, to crush his any rebellion, and his spirit.

Saying anything more will be unfair to the director and the superb actors.

Is this a story of a father and son relationship ? Or, as with many men, an Oedipus complex, or an intense need to love and protect his mother ?

You'll be forgiven if you find a bit of yourself on this movie, as a mother, son or father.

A bit of advice...  patiently absorb the first part and you will be immensely rewarded in the last twenty minutes.

This experience will stay in your mind for a long, long time.