According to Cameron Bailey, artistic director at the Toronto International Film Festival, the cheers that erupted after the Gully Boy world premiere was the loudest he had heard in 20 years at the Berlinale.

The Zoya Akhtar directed movie is one of the most awaited films in recent times and stars big names like Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The soundtrack for the film is already a huge hit with tracks like Azadi and Apna Time Aayega being played on a loop by the radio stations. In his review of the film, Variety writer Jay Weissberg applauded the film for its “high-wattage screen chemistry” and “inclusive social message”.

“A Bollywood movie about a rapper from the slums may sound derivative, but what does that matter when ‘Gully Boy’ revels in high-wattage screen chemistry and an inclusive social message, all served up in a slickly enjoyable production showcasing Ranveer Singh’s many charms? Zoya Akhtar’s most accomplished film to date is a mainstream rap musical about a Muslim guy from working-class Mumbai determined to break free from the strictures of expectation and class, all served up with generous helpings of deftly written hip-hop lyrics and a largely well-woven narrative that’s so likable one can almost forgive how the script barely bothers to resolve an important plot element,” he wrote.

Author Aseem Chhabra also tweeted that Singh has given his career-best performance and is aided by a wonderful supporting cast.