FILM · 2019 · INDIA
Gully Boy
48 archived facts 5 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (48)
- #001
All the other rappers in the battle scenes are not actors but real rappers from the Indian rap scene.
- #002
The film is based on the lives of rap artists Naved Shaikh (Naezy) and Vivian Fernandes (Divine).
- #003
It is the first Bollywood film based on rappers.
- #004
When Murad's friend Moeen is on the ground, he calls him Salim Shady, a play on Eminem's Slim Shady alias.
- #005
It is actor Siddhant Chaturvedi's debut.
- #006
It was selected for a special gala screening at the Berlin Film Festival.
- #007
Divine appears in the song Apna Time Aaega at the climax.
- #008
The graffiti scene shot at night makes social commentary on anthropogenic impact on the environment, the fair-skin bias, basic needs, consumerism and unrealistic female body shapes.
- #009
In an interview, Siddhant Chaturvedi explained that Zoya Akhtar noticed him at a party and then called him in to audition.
- #010
While practicing on an iPad, Murad uses a strainer as an improvised pop filter to help block the popping sound made by fast-moving air.
- #011
The film was shot in the slum areas of Dharavi in Mumbai, where a massive slum settlement was built in an open area.
- #012
The film is based on the members of the rap group Gully Gang, founded by Naezy and Divine.
- #013
The film is inspired by the lives of street rappers Divine and Naezy.
- #014
Siddhanth Chaturvedi was asked to build muscle for his character MC Sher; because he is vegetarian he ate paneer and did gymnastics to get into the character.
- #015
During a promotional event, Ranveer Singh jumped onto a large crowd as real-life rappers often do. However, the stunt injured many of his fans. A few days later, Ranveer Singh apologized on Twitter for his mistake.
- #016
Siddanth Chaturvedi, who played the parallel role to Ranveer Singh, was widely praised. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan also sent him his best wishes after watching the film. The producers announced a spin-off of his character MC Sher.
- #017
The role of Siddanth Chaturvedi was offered to Ranbir Kapoor. However, he did not want to play second fiddle alongside Ranveer Singh.
- #018
It is Zoya Akhtar's first film with Alia Bhatt after Dil Dhadakne Do and her second with Ranveer Singh.
- #019
This is the first film in which Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh appear together on screen.
- #020
Principal photography on Gully Boy began in January 2018 and was completed in April 2018.
- #021
Amruta Subash, who plays Ranveer Singh's mother, is only 7 years older than him.
- #022
Against a production budget of 40 crore rupees (5.6 million USD), it grossed over 171 crore rupees (24 million USD) worldwide.
- #023
Akhtar wove the story of two Mumbai-based MCs, Naezy and Divine, into a musical narrative about the struggle of a promising rapper and the environment that shaped his journey.
- #024
It is the first Zoya Akhtar film in which her brother Farhan Akhtar does not appear on screen.
- #025
Gully Boy was submitted as India's official Oscar entry, overriding several groundbreaking films of India's regional cinema, and it was rejected in the early rounds of the Academy's Best International Feature Film list.
- #026
It was initially rumoured that Saif Ali Khan's daughter, Sara Ali Khan, would make her debut with this film. However, the rumours were denied by Sara's mother, Amrita Singh.
- #027
It has a style quite similar to Eminem's film 8 Mile.
- #028
This is the only film based on Indian rap culture.
- #029
The film closely resembles 8 Mile.
- #030
It premiered on 14 February 2019 on 3,350 screens in India and 751 screens in overseas markets, opening worldwide on 4,101 screens.
- #031
It was chosen as India's official submission to the Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards.
- #032
The film was selected for the Berlinale Special section of the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. Its world premiere was held at the festival on 9 February 2019.
- #033
The Apna Time Aayega line became so popular that every child could recite it. Many products on the market, such as T-shirts and water bottles, featured the line at a large discount.
- #034
The film's first official poster was released on 1 January 2019. It also gave the Valentine's Day premiere date.
- #035
Ranveer Singh promoted the film in advertisements for KFC, Ola, Zomato and the cough syrup Torex.
- #036
The film was released in cinemas in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
- #037
Usha Nadkarni was called in for an audition by the production team. They asked whether she was interested in the role and requested that she come to their office to audition. Usha Nadkarni turned down the offer, saying she had never auditioned for any role.
- #038
Sushant Singh Rajput was offered the role of Siddhanth Chaturvedi.
- #039
The trailer announcement was made on 4 January 2019 with a short teaser showing Ranveer Singh rapping.
- #040
The first official poster for Gully Boy was released on 1 January 2019, reconfirming that the film's release date was 14 February 2019.
- #041
Gully Boy is the first film in which Ranveer Singh and Vijay Raj appear together on screen.
- #042
Gully Boy premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on 9 February 2019, where it received positive reviews from critics, and had its theatrical premiere on 14 February 2019.
- #043
Alia Bhatt confirmed that Gully Boy would be released on 14 February 2019.
- #044
Two new theatrical posters showing the looks of the film's lead actors were unveiled to the public on 2 January 2019.
- #045
The official trailer for Gully Boy was released on 9 January 2019.
- #046
Gully Boy was selected for the Berlinale Special section of the 69th Berlin International Film Festival.
- #047
Gully Boy completed a run of more than 50 days in cinemas, alongside other hit films such as Total Dhamaal and Lukka Chuppi.
- #048
The plot of Gully Boy bears some resemblance to the 2002 American drama film 8 Mile.
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