Controversial Gangs And Town Wasseypur | Hammers High

Somewhere I read a fable about Sultana Daku. In some specific places, train drivers drop 5 coins near a temple to ensure safe passage. That money belongs to Sultana Daku. I don’t know how much truth lies in this story, still, its interesting. So, are the dots connected in Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs Of Wasseypur. Bihar (and Jharkhand) evokes mixed emotions. This state is known for producing IASes and IITians. This state is also known for rich heritage. This state is also known for crimes. Unfortunately, cinema has shown the darker shades more than the brighter. GoW is not an exception. But that should not take away the applause Anurag and his entire team deserves for bringing alive a story that will excite cine-buffs for some good time.

Despite of lot of fictionalization, there is lot of reality wired with it. Fahim Khan is a reality. Shabir Alam is a reality. Gang wars happened. People were killed. Rangdari is still a reality. Coal mafia was not figment of someone’s imagination. Scrap is still a business. So, why is there so much fuss about portraying Wasseypur or Dhanbad in the story? Anurag Kashyap never said that its story about Wasseypur. Its about gangs in Wasseypur and gangs do kill people for reasons, sometimes justified and sometime just too random. Fahim Khan and Shabir Alam are in jail. Thankfully, not in the same one.

Coal mines were breeding ground for many crimes. After Coal India was formed, the politics of coal reached its peak. Some pockets earned more than others and not without any reason. Each contractor was shielded by goons who would ensure that mineworkers remain in their places. Slowly, as the nation developed, our dependency on coal reduced and demand for metal, especially iron, increased. Business of scrap was on high in darker corners. In 80s and 90s, rangdari became the trend. People with muscle power provided security to businessmen who had only money to protect. This is reality.

Gulzar’s Mere Apne was allegedly based on student gangs in Allahabad. Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Haasil was largely shot in Allahabad. Both movies earned respect over time. They hardly show anything positive about the city. Allahabad is known for student politics and also for outstanding scholars. Thanks to pervert minds we have, usually the former hogs the limelight. Same thing goes with GoW. People from Wasseypur and Dhanbad are intelligent enough to understand this and nothing can be done about morons. End of the day, Cinema will have smile on her lips.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh