After Arjun Rampal changes release date of the gangster's biopic to match his annual Ganesh Chaturthi parole, district magistrate denies Daddy discharge
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 1, 2017)

Arjun Rampal starrer Daddy, based on the life of Arun Gawli, has grabbed eyeballs owing to the former's uncanny resemblance to the gangster-politician. As the Ashim Ahluwalia-directed biopic gears up for release on September 8, the makers had a special plan for the premiere. Knowing that the film holds a special place in Gawli's heart, they wanted the gangster to attend the film's premiere. Turns out, upon his daughter Geeta Gawli's request, the makers pushed the release date from July 21 to September 8 so that Gawli could be present at the premiere.

However, if murmurs are anything to go by, Gawli has been denied parole by the district magistrate. A source informed, "He had asked for his annual parole for Ganpati festivities. He had hoped to watch the film along with his family during this time. But, the authorities are uncomfortable with the idea of granting him parole at such a time."

Apparently, the authorities' concern is that Arun Gawli's appearance at the biopic premiere may have a negative impact on the judicial system. "They fear that if he is used in the film's promotions, it will reflect badly on them. Since Sanjay Dutt's furlough had come under such scrutiny, they don't want to repeat a similar mistake."

When we reached out to Geeta, she said, "It looks unlikely that my father will be granted a parole anytime soon. He won't be around for the film's release or premiere."

Deepali Singh (DNA; August 25, 2017)

For the last five years, gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli has been serving life sentence for the 2008 murder of a Shiv Sena corporator, in the Nagpur Central Jail.

But if all goes according to plan, then ‘Daddy’, as he’s fondly called by everyone, will most likely be out on parole around the release of the film based on his life — Ashim Ahluwalia’s Daddy which comes out on September 8. And as his daughter Geeta Gawli tells us, “It’s his movie and he should be there. It’s called Daddy, after all.”

Hope for the best
Geeta had requested the filmmakers to push the date of the film’s release from July 21 to September 8, so that her father would be present to see the biopic made on his life. “We had asked them long ago (to shift the release date) and they agreed. We thought we will try and get dad out on parole around that time,” she says. And even though she says nothing is certain, they can just hope for the best. She has also heard that Arjun Rampal, who is playing Gawli in the film, will be holding a special screening of the film for her dad. “I have heard, but I don’t know when it will be,” she adds.

Many points of view
As for the movie itself, Geeta has seen it in bits and parts while it was being shot. “It’s from several points of view. I feel they have made a good film,” she says. Will her father appreciate the film? “I hope so!” she signs off.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 4, 2017)