Gangs of Godavari

Gangs of Godavari exposes the gritty world of politics and power

Gangs of Godavari is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language action crime drama, directed by Krishna Chaitanya. Vishwak Sen leads as Lankala Ratnam, a hard-edged, hungry man who climbs out of poverty by mixing crime with politics in the coastal Godavari belt. Anjali and Neha Shetty play key parts, with Nassar, Goparaju Ramana, and others in strong supporting roles.

The film tracks a morally broken lead through ambition, betrayal, revenge, and survival, set around Eluru and the Godavari areas. It doesn’t hold back on violence, and it may remind viewers of large-scale “rise and rule” movies like Pushpa and KGF.

When Telugu films use the Godavari region, the usual picture is green fields, soft slang, and friendly people. Krishna Chaitanya flips that idea and shows a harsher side, where anger and greed run through the same waterways.

For fans of “Mass Ka Das” Vishwak Sen, this was a big release. After the experimental Gaami, he steps back into a raw mass action zone. The film stays focused on grit, power, and swagger, even when the writing starts to feel familiar later.

The Story: A Rags-to-Riches Power Fight

Set in the 1990s, the plot unfolds in the Lanka villages near Kovvur. Lankala Rathnakar (Vishwak Sen) starts as a petty thief with a sharp tongue and zero fear. He isn’t looking to get by, he wants control.

He begins at the lowest rung, joining local strongman Doraswami Raju (Goparaju Ramana). As sand mining and elections collide, loyalty changes fast. Rathnakar shifts to the rival side led by Nanaji (Nassar). From there, he rises into politics and becomes an MLA, picking up the name “Tiger” Rathnakar. The climb comes with a price, and the enemies he collects turn power into a constant fight.

The Performances: Vishwak Sen Drives the Film

The film largely rests on Vishwak Sen, and he delivers. He drops the city-boy vibe and fully commits to Rathnakar. The Godavari diction lands well and doesn’t sound forced. He brings the right arrogance and heat, whether he is spitting threats, picking fights, or showing quick flashes of pain.

Anjali, as Rathnamala, makes a strong impact with limited screen time. Her performance feels grounded and firm, like someone who has lived through darkness and learned to stand tall. Her scenes with Vishwak add some of the movie’s few emotional hooks.

Neha Shetty, as Bujji, is a pleasant surprise. Viewers used to seeing her in glossy roles will notice the shift. She fits the village look and handles the emotional moments well, even if the writing rushes her arc in the second half.

Nassar and Goparaju Ramana add weight to the political tension. Hyper Aadi shows up with comic beats that offer a breather, though the humor doesn’t always match the film’s mood during high-intensity stretches.

Direction and Technical Work

Krishna Chaitanya, known for Rowdy Fellow, clearly enjoys rough, grounded stories. He builds a believable 1990s setting with period details like ballot boxes, limited phone use, and the street-level force of the sand mafia.

The technical team helps the film hold its tone:

• Music by Yuvan Shankar Raja: The background score stands out. It lifts the big moments and keeps the energy high. The song “Suttamla Soosi” is already popular and looks good on screen.
• Cinematography: Anith Madadi shoots the region with warm sunlight and earthy shades, making the beauty feel risky at the same time. Night scenes carry a rough texture that fits the gangster setup.
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The Problems: The Second Half Loses Steam

The first half moves with urgency and sets up Rathnakar’s rise through punchy scenes and loud confrontations. The second half slows down and starts to wobble.

The biggest issue is how familiar the arc feels. The “underdog rises, becomes a force, then pays for it” pattern has been seen in films like Nayakan, Gangs of Wasseypur, and even Pushpa. Because of that, many turns don’t land as surprises.

The emotional pull also stays light. Rathnakar does cruel things, and the film tries to explain them with a tragic backstory later on. That comes too late to build real connection. As the climax gets closer, the pacing drags, and the ending can feel more noisy than moving.

Verdict

Gangs of Godavari wants to be a big gangster drama, and it ends up as a decent mass entertainer with a few strong highs. Vishwak Sen fans will likely enjoy seeing him in a full-on aggressive role.

What Works

• Vishwak Sen’s performance and Godavari slang
• Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score
• A strong first half with solid action blocks

What Doesn’t Work

• A predictable story with thin emotional writing
• A slower second half and a weaker climax
• Violence that lacks enough heart behind it

Final Thought: This one suits viewers who like rustic action, heavy dialogue, and loud power plays. Anyone hoping for a fresh gangster plot may find it familiar. It works best as a one-time watch for the lead performance and the music.

iBomma Rating: 2.5 / 5

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