Honestly, if you haven’t seen it, you might think it's just another regional flick. You'd be wrong. Very wrong.
Back in 2016, a movie called Wrong Side Raju hit the screens and basically flipped the script on what people expected from Gujarati movies. It wasn't about rural melodrama or over-the-top garba sequences. Instead, it was a slick, gritty thriller that felt like something straight out of a Mumbai or even a global indie studio.
The Reality Behind the Fiction
The film takes a massive cue from real life. You remember those headlines about hit-and-run cases where a rich kid is behind the wheel and a poor driver takes the fall? That’s the core here. While the director, Mikhil Musale, has often said it's a mix of several real-world incidents, the vibes are undeniably close to the 2013 BMW hit-and-run case in Ahmedabad.
It’s about Raju Bambani, played by the now-superstar Pratik Gandhi. Long before he became a household name with Scam 1992, he was Raju—a driver by day and a bootlegger by night. It's a classic "wrong place, wrong time" setup. But it’s handled with such nuance that you can’t help but root for a guy who is technically a criminal.
Why the Phantom Connection Changed Everything
Before this, Gujarati cinema was mostly a local affair. Then came Phantom Films. Yes, the powerhouse behind Queen and Masaan.
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When Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, and the rest of the Phantom crew decided to co-produce this with Abhishek Jain’s CineMan Productions, it was a huge deal. It gave the film a level of polish—and a national distribution network—that Gujarati films just didn't have back then.
- Cinematography: Tribhuvan Babu Sadineni made Ahmedabad look like a character itself—neon-lit, dusty, and dangerous.
- Music: Sachin-Jigar brought in big guns. Arijit Singh sang his first-ever Gujarati song, "Satrangi Re," for this movie. Vishal Dadlani also lent his voice.
- Casting: Mukesh Chhabra handled the casting. That’s why the performances feel so authentic and "un-filmy."
That Twisted Plot (No Spoilers, Sorta)
The movie starts with a bang—literally. A hit-and-run at a checkpoint kills two cops. Raju gets blamed. His boss’s son, Tanmay, is the obvious suspect. But nothing is what it seems.
What really makes Wrong Side Raju stand out is the non-linear storytelling. Musale is a big fan of Alejandro González Iñárritu, and you can see that influence. The timeline jumps around, keeping you guessing until the very end.
The climax? It’s a total gut punch. It challenges your morality. You think you know who the "good guy" is, but the film asks: what would you do to survive?
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The National Award and the "Urban" Shift
In 2017, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Gujarati. This wasn't just a trophy for the mantelpiece; it was a validation.
It proved that "Urban Gujarati Cinema" was a real thing. It wasn't just a trend started by movies like Kevi Rite Jaish or Bey Yaar. It was a sustainable movement. The film bridged the gap between local sensibilities and international filmmaking standards.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume the movie is just a legal drama. It's not. It’s a character study of a man trying to climb the social ladder in a "dry" state where everyone drinks behind closed doors. The bootlegging subplot isn't just for flavor; it's central to the hypocrisy the film explores.
Also, it’s surprisingly funny. Despite being a thriller, the banter between Raju and his mentor, Patil (played by Ragi Jani), is gold. It feels real. Like two guys you’d actually meet at a roadside laari.
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Why You Should Care in 2026
If you’re a fan of thrillers, this is a masterclass in tension. It doesn't rely on jump scares or massive explosions. It relies on the fear of a man who knows the system is rigged against him.
Pratik Gandhi is phenomenal. If you only know him as Harshad Mehta, you need to see where he started. His Raju is vulnerable, witty, and desperate all at once.
How to Watch and What to Look For
You can usually find it on major streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video (depending on your region). If you’re watching for the first time:
- Listen to the lyrics: Niren Bhatt’s writing is poetic but grounded.
- Watch the background: The details of Ahmedabad's nightlife are spot on.
- The "French" connection: Kimberley Louisa McBeath plays Shaily, and her chemistry with Pratik is actually quite sweet without being cheesy.
Wrong Side Raju isn't just a movie; it's the moment Gujarati cinema decided to grow up and talk to the world. It’s gritty, it’s honest, and it’s still one of the best thrillers to come out of India in the last decade.
Next Steps for Film Buffs:
Check out the soundtrack on Spotify first—"Gori Radha ne Kalo Kaan" is a bop even if you don't speak the language. Then, find a quiet evening to watch the film with subtitles. Pay close attention to the opening sequence; it sets the entire moral compass for what's to follow.