Daddy Full Story Explained (2017)
Daddy is a 2017 Hindi crime drama that tells the true story of Arun Gawli. Arjun Rampal plays Gawli, a poor mill worker's son who becomes one of Mumbai's most feared gangsters. The film follows his rise from the streets of Dagdi Chawl to power and politics. It also shows his rivalry with Maqsood, a character based on Dawood Ibrahim. Aishwarya Rajesh plays Zubeida, Gawli's wife who wants him to leave crime. Inspector Vijaykar Nitin is the cop determined to catch him. The movie spans the 1970s and 1980s. It shows how a man called 'Daddy' by his people became a don and then a politician. This is a gritty, emotional ride through Mumbai's underworld.
A Poor Boy's Choice
Mumbai in the 1960s. Textile mills are shutting down. Young Arun Gawli has no job. His friends Rama Naik and Babu Reshim push him into matka gambling. It is a quick way to earn money. Arun agrees. He does not know this choice will trap him forever.
Full Plot
Daddy is the true story of Arun Gawli, a boy from Mumbai's poor Dagdi Chawl. In the 1960s and 1970s, textile mills shut down. Many young men lost jobs. Arun's friends Rama Naik and Babu Reshim convince him to try matka gambling. It is a quick way to make money. Soon, Arun commits his first murder. This brings him to the attention of Maqsood Bhai, a powerful gangster based on Dawood Ibrahim. Maqsood takes Arun under his wing. Arun learns the trade. But their ideologies clash. Power games begin.
Arun falls in love with Zubeida Mujawar. They marry. Zubeida wants him to leave crime. She dreams of a normal life. Arun almost agrees. But then Rama Naik is killed in a police encounter. Arun believes Maqsood engineered the killing. He takes charge of their gang. A brutal gang war starts between Arun and Maqsood. Inspector Vijaykar Nitin is determined to catch Arun. He has a secret history that makes the chase personal.
The gang war escalates. The streets of Mumbai run red. Arun becomes one of India's most feared gangsters. He is called 'Daddy' by his people. They see him as a Robin Hood. Zubeida's pleas are ignored. The violence consumes everyone. To survive, Arun makes a bold move. He enters politics. He uses his gang's power to win elections. He becomes a respected leader in his community. The film shows his transition from gangster to politician. It spans over four decades. The ending shows Arun Gawli as an enigmatic figure. He is both a feared criminal and a beloved 'Daddy' to his neighborhood.
Act Breakdown
The Rise of a Gangster
We meet Arun Gawli in Dagdi Chawl. Mills are closing. He loses his job. Friends push him into matka gambling. He commits his first murder. Maqsood takes him under his wing. Arun falls in love with Zubeida. They marry. He wants to leave crime.
Rama's Death
Rama Naik is killed in a police encounter. Arun is devastated. He believes Maqsood is behind it. He takes charge of the gang. He vows revenge. The gang war begins. Inspector Vijaykar Nitin starts chasing him.
The Gang War
The war between Arun and Maqsood escalates. The streets are bloody. Zubeida begs Arun to stop. He cannot. The police close in. The cop's secret history is revealed. The violence consumes everyone. Arun feels trapped.
The Political Turn
Arun Gawli enters politics. He uses his gang's power to win elections. He becomes a leader. His people call him 'Daddy'. The film ends with his transformation from gangster to politician. The legend of Daddy is complete.
Characters
Arun Gawli
Played by Arjun Rampal
Arun Gawli is the main character. He starts as a poor mill worker's son in Dagdi Chawl. He turns to crime after losing his job. He becomes a feared gangster and later a politician. He is called 'Daddy' by his people. He is intense, power-hungry, and loyal to his community. His journey shows how a man can be both a criminal and a hero.
Zubeida Mujawar
Played by Aishwarya Rajesh
Zubeida is Arun Gawli's wife. She is his sweetheart. She wants him to leave crime and live a normal life. She begs him to change. But her pleas are ignored as the violence grows. She represents the hope for a peaceful life. Her love for Arun is deep, but she cannot save him from his path.
Inspector Vijaykar Nitin
Played by Nishikant Kamat
Inspector Vijaykar Nitin is the cop chasing Arun Gawli. He is determined to catch him at any cost. He has a secret history connected to Arun's world. This makes his pursuit personal. He is a frustrated, relentless officer. His character adds tension to the story.
Rama Naik
Played by Rajesh Shringarpure
Rama Naik is Arun's close friend. He is the one who first gets Arun into matka gambling. He is loyal to Arun. His brutal death in a police encounter triggers the gang war. Arun believes Maqsood killed him. Rama's death changes everything.
Maqsood
Played by Farhan Akhtar
Maqsood is a powerful gangster based on Dawood Ibrahim. He takes Arun under his wing. But their ideologies clash. He is Arun's biggest rival. He is cold, calculating, and ruthless. His war with Arun defines the middle of the film.
Scene Highlights
Arun's First Murder
Arun Gawli commits his first murder. It is a brutal, sudden act. The scene shows his transformation from a poor boy to a killer. It is tense and raw. This moment sets his entire life on a new path. It is the point of no return.
Rama's Encounter Death
Rama Naik is killed in a police encounter. Arun watches his friend die. The scene is emotional and violent. It fuels Arun's rage. He blames Maqsood. This death triggers the gang war. It is a turning point in the story.
Zubeida's Plea
Zubeida begs Arun to leave crime. She cries. She wants a normal life. Arun almost agrees. But he cannot. The scene shows the pain of their love. It is heartbreaking. It shows how crime destroys relationships.
The Gang War Confrontation
Arun and Maqsood face off. The tension is high. Guns are drawn. The scene is gritty and realistic. It shows the cost of power. The war between them defines the middle of the film. It is a memorable, intense moment.
The Election Victory
Arun Gawli wins the election. His supporters cheer. They call him 'Daddy'. He is now a politician. The scene shows his triumph. But it also feels hollow. His past haunts him. It is a bittersweet victory.
Cast & Context
Arjun Rampal plays Arun Gawli. He also co-wrote and produced the film. This was a passion project for him. He spent time with the real Arun Gawli to prepare. Aishwarya Rajesh makes her Hindi film debut as Zubeida. She is known for her work in Tamil cinema. Nishikant Kamat, a director himself, plays the cop. Farhan Akhtar appears in a cameo as Maqsood. This casting brought together actors from different film industries. It added depth to the film.
Themes
Poverty and Crime
The film shows how poverty pushes people into crime. Arun Gawli loses his job when mills shut. He has no other way to earn. Crime becomes his only option. The movie does not glorify this. It shows the harsh reality of Mumbai's slums.
Power and Corruption
Arun Gawli gains power through violence. He becomes a don. But power corrupts him. He cannot leave crime even for his wife. The film shows how power changes a person. It also shows how gangsters enter politics to gain more control.
Love vs. Duty
Zubeida loves Arun and wants him to be clean. But Arun feels duty-bound to his gang and his people. He cannot walk away. This conflict tears them apart. The film shows how love is not always enough to change a person's path.
The Robin Hood Myth
Arun Gawli is called 'Daddy' by his community. They see him as a Robin Hood. He helps the poor. He is a hero to them. But the film asks: can a criminal really be a hero? It explores this contradiction deeply.
Music & Soundtrack
ComposerSajid–Wajid
The music was composed by Sajid–Wajid. The song 'Zindagi Meri Dance Dance' was recreated from a 1987 film. It is a fun, energetic item number. The qawwali 'Eid Mubarak Qawwali' adds a festive touch. The music supports the film's gritty mood.
Similar Films
Both are gritty crime dramas about the Mumbai underworld. They show the rise and fall of gangsters.
Both films are about a gangster who becomes a Robin Hood figure in his community. They released in the same year.
Both films are biographical crime dramas set in Mumbai. They explore the lives of real gangsters.
Both films show how poverty and revenge lead to a cycle of violence. They are gritty and realistic.
Ending Explained
The film ends with Arun Gawli entering politics. He uses his gang's power to win elections. He becomes a member of the legislative assembly. His people call him 'Daddy'. He is both a don and a politician. The ending shows him as an enigma. For some, he is a feared criminal. For his neighborhood, he is a respected leader. The film does not judge him. It shows the complexity of his life. The final scenes leave you thinking. Can a man with a violent past truly change? Is he a hero or a villain? The director does not give easy answers. The message is about the blurred lines between crime and survival. Arun Gawli's story is a legend. The film ends with that legend intact.
Daddy is worth watching if you like gritty crime dramas. Arjun Rampal gives an intense performance. The film shows the real story of Arun Gawli without glorifying him. The music and art direction are strong. But the plot can feel slow and confusing at times. It jumps back and forth in time. Some viewers may find it hard to follow. If you enjoy films like Company or Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, you will like this. It is not a masala film. It is a serious, realistic look at the Mumbai underworld.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Daddy is based on the real life of Arun Gawli. He was a gangster from Mumbai's Dagdi Chawl. He later became a politician. The film shows his rise and fall. It is a biographical crime drama.
Arjun Rampal plays Arun Gawli. He also co-wrote and produced the film. He spent time with the real Arun Gawli to prepare for the role. His performance was praised by critics.
The runtime of Daddy is 2 hours and 14 minutes. That is 134 minutes. It is a feature-length film. It covers over four decades of Arun Gawli's life.
Maqsood is based on Dawood Ibrahim. He is India's most wanted gangster. In the film, he is Arun Gawli's rival. Farhan Akhtar plays Maqsood in a cameo appearance.
Yes, Daddy is available on Amazon Prime Video. You can watch it there. It was released in theaters on September 8, 2017. It is also available on other platforms.