Sightlines · reception

How Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 was received

2012 · Anurag Kashyap · Gangs of Wasseypur - Part 1 on Sightlines

The arc

Only a modest theatrical performer in India in 2012 and too profane for some at home, it snowballed via word of mouth into a certified cult epic — by 2019 The Guardian was ranking it among the best films of the 21st century, and it's now the default 'start here' for Indian cinema recs.

What’s debated

Fans endlessly argue whether Part 1 or Part 2 is the stronger half — and whether it should be logged as one five-hour film or two at all.

Its footprint

Sardar Khan's revenge vow 'keh ke lunga' became one of Indian internet culture's most durable memes, and Sneha Khanwalkar's soundtrack ('Womaniya', 'Hunter') has a cult life entirely of its own.

Where it stands

A canon-climbing cult classic that sits near the top of Letterboxd's Indian-cinema pantheon — the Hindi film international cinephiles are most often told they must have seen.

Did you know? It premiered at the 2012 Cannes Directors' Fortnight as a single film running over five hours, and was only split into Part 1 and Part 2 for its theatrical release.