Delhi Belly
2011 · Directed by Abhinay Deo
Original language: Hindi
- action
- comedy
The story
Three unsuspecting, average guys find themselves on the hit list of one of India's most-powerful crime syndicates.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated Delhi streets shot in handheld, jittery camera work, with crowded markets, sweaty night-time apartments and garish neon-lit clubs that feel lived-in and grimy rather than glamorous. The palette runs hot: yellows, pinks and sickly greens, with the occasional washed-out polaroid-style insert adding a snapshot scruffiness. Music is loud and bouncy, with Hindi pop and punchy beats that push the frantic energy along. The vibe is scrappy, sweary and anarchic, a dark comedy that turns panic into farce, best for a loud night in with friends or anyone who likes their crime capers messy and irreverent. Pacing is fast and jumpy, with the three roommates' arcs moving from smug self-assurance to blundering desperation and an unlikely loyalty forged under pressure. Violence is present and occasionally sharp, including shootings and a few bloody moments, but it is played for absurd comedy more than horror. Crude humour, sexual jokes and strong language throughout; not gentle. For viewers who enjoy irreverent, chaotic comedy with a streak of gangster menace.
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