Gangs of Wasseypur (2012)

A blood feud across three generations in the coal-mining country around Dhanbad. Five hours, two parts, no slow moments.

Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui at the IIFA Awards in New York, 2017
Year
2012
Language
Hindi
Director
Anurag Kashyap
Starring
Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Pankaj Tripathi
Also
Released in two parts

The story

The film traces a long feud between Sardar Khan's family and the politician Ramadhir Singh, in and around the town of Wasseypur, from the colonial era to the 2000s. Coal, scrap and local politics drive the violence.

Part 2 follows Sardar's son Faizal, played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who inherits the war.

Why it matters

  • It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival's Directors' Fortnight in 2012.
  • It made stars of Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Pankaj Tripathi and is quoted endlessly online.
  • Its folk-inspired soundtrack by Sneha Khanwalkar was widely praised.

Where to watch

Both parts are available on licensed streaming services. The film is rated for adults. Availability changes from country to country and month to month; see how to find a legal stream. Please don't use pirate download sites: they are illegal in India and a common source of malware.

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