The real-life 'Gully Boy' behind Zoya Akthar's smash hit

A documentary on Vivian Fernandes becoming a pioneer of desi hip-hop chronicles his rap to riches story

July 10, 2019 09:24 pm | Updated July 11, 2019 03:43 pm IST

PUDUCHERRY, 19/11/2017: (METRO PLUS) Vivian Fernandez of Divine, performing at Bacardi NH7 Weekender Express held in Puducherry on Sunday. Photo: S.S. Kumar

PUDUCHERRY, 19/11/2017: (METRO PLUS) Vivian Fernandez of Divine, performing at Bacardi NH7 Weekender Express held in Puducherry on Sunday. Photo: S.S. Kumar

There is a moment in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy when Murad (Ranveer Singh) asks Sky (Kalki Koechlin) why she is interested in him. He has just realised that her lavish apartment’s bathroom alone is larger than his whole house. Their social, economic and cultural backgrounds are widely dissimilar. And the confident, Western-educated Sky’s romantic advances both flatter and surprise Murad. Her answer, that he is above all, an artist and that his circumstances make no difference, is a belief that lies at the very heart of this underdog story and is undoubtedly its most rousing theme. This idea is reinforced in a new documentary titled Gully Life: The Story of Divine where Zoya Akhtar appears in person, no longer having to speak through fictional characters. “Suddenly, it doesn’t matter where you come from and who you were,” she says , “you immediately transcend all barriers that society puts in front. Only art does that.”

Then and now

Akhtar is talking about rapper Vivian Fernandes aka Divine whose heartening story partially influenced Gully Boy. His humble beginnings, musical artistry, rapid success and vigorous espousal of Indian hip-hop known as ‘gully rap’ — which he along with a few others were instrumental in giving birth to — is the subject of the new documentary. Produced by Red Bull Media House in association with Supari Studios and media partner Discovery Channel for Gully Life, the documentary recently premiered on 1 July on Discovery network. Directed by Akshat Gupt, the 50-minute film charts Divine’s story by employing a variety of methods.

The musician’s earliest memories are conveyed through short bits of somewhat overdone animation as Divine recalls suffering abuse at the hands of an alcoholic father, his constant yearning for a mother (who worked abroad and was away for months at a time) and the affection he received from his grandmother. A host of figures – fellow rappers, collaborators, friends and family members – appear throughout to comment on Divine’s musical prowess and career, highlighting significant turning points such as the making of the ‘Mere Gully Mein’ video or his high-octane performances at music producer Nucleya’s crowd-pulling shows.

While the film’s pacing and structure are inconsistent with some inputs seeming repetitive, hidden among the general plaudits are a few seemingly unassuming and yet moving declarations. For instance, at one point, Nathaline Fernandes shyly declares that during one of his performances she saw a girl shouting out Divine’s name and quietly informed her that he was her son. The moment reminded me of the scene in Gully Boy when Murad’s teary-eyed parents look on as their son takes the stage, their pride, appreciation and understanding hard-won. In another, fellow rapper MC Altaf thoughtfully admits that Divine’s pioneering of the genre gave it, and those who practised it, a certain respectability that was lacking previously.

The most prominent voice however is Divine’s own as he takes us through the gullies that he grew up in and whose experiences shaped his identity and his art. What emerges is a narrative of disenfranchisement and eventual empowerment through the creative iteration of those experiences. Starkly different from Punjabi rap and its culture of materialism and privilege, the music rising out of the streets of Mumbai speak of everyday oppression, poverty, police brutality and corruption in a language that is local and accessible. Authenticity is key and commentators in the film repeatedly emphasise the importance of capturing what is real, applauding Divine’s ability to consistently do so.

Building communities

What also appears central to Divine’s personal and professional life is the sense of community – the presence of a brotherhood that is supportive, reliable and expanding. Right at the start of the film he speaks of the ties that bind the people of a ‘gully’ together and then as if to explain his point further, proceeds to introduce to the viewer old and new friends, acknowledging their contributions to his life and music. At the same time, through initiatives like the setting up of Gully Gang Entertainment, a record label, and Gully Fest, a hip-hop festival, Divine voices his hopes of seeking out and bringing into the fold young rappers who have hitherto had little opportunity to showcase their talent.

There is much talk of Gully Boy throughout the documentary with Divine, Zoya Akhtar and Ranveer Singh excitedly recounting how the collaboration took place and how much the film’s music benefited from it. From his early personal experiences to his meteoric rise in the burgeoning world of Indian hip-hop, Murad’s arc in the film does to some extent reflect Divine’s own. The film has undoubtedly helped to draw attention to this artistic movement thriving on the margins although many may question if it and the mainstream industry will help to nurture it in the long run. Divine for one seems hopeful, asserting, “after Gully Boy , hip-hop is going to be everywhere”.

Gully Life: The Story of Divine will premiere on redbull.com on July 15 at 9 p.m.; followed by a release on Divine’s YouTube channel on July 17.

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