Gangs of Godavari Review - Vishwak Sen's has a solid backdrop but falters in execution

2/5

Gangs of Godavari Story

Gangs of Godavari is set in the small town of Kovvur. Lankala Ratnam (Vishwak Sen) is a local man whose only aim is to become an MLA one day. For this, he joins MLA Doraiswamy Raju's (Goparaju Ramana) group. After being loyal to him, he changes tracks and joins Nanaji's (Nasser's) gang. After using all the means to cheat everyone, he becomes an MLA and even marries Bujji (Neha Sshetty). As time passes, the rival groups plan to dethrone him from the MLA. If this was not enough, Ratnakar's past comes hauntingly back and creates more problems. How Ratnakar will save his position and family in this gritty drama is the basic storyline.

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Gangs of Godavari Review

Gangs of Godavari has a vast span, and its world is quite intriguing. But the manner in which the film is narrated is disappointing. By the end of the film, one could easily say that director Krishna Chaitanya has so much content, but he did not utilise it properly. The drama clicks in bits and pieces, and when everyone feels that action and drama will peak, things get bogged down.

The film starts on a dull and predictable note. A local man trying to make it big in the political world has been showcased in so many gangster films. The only difference here is that the film is set in the Godavari region. The second half is a huge letdown and does not promise anything new.

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The screenplay is the biggest villain during this time, as the drama is not highlighted well and after a point, the audience loses interest. Neha Sshetty's track should have been given more importance in the narrative. But that does not happen, as the female leads are more props in the film and do not create much of an impact.

There are a few scenes that are executed in a dashing manner and Vishwak Sen looks cool in the film. Gangs of Godavari has traces of Pushpa and Rangasthalam, as many scenes from these films are replicated in the action drama. Upon this, the pre-climax is predictable and over-the-top.

In terms of performances, Vishwak Sen is great as the local man who dreams big. He also speaks the Godavari accent well and does his job sincerely. Neha Sshetty looks beautiful, but her role does not allow her to perform much. Anjali, in the role of a prostitute, shines, but she is not utilised properly in the narrative.

One of the biggest highlights of the film is the music score by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Even the simple scenes look good with his background score, which elevates the drama properly. Goparaju Ramana, as a shrewd politician, is amazing in the film. The rest of the cast are okay in their roles.

The dialogues create an impact and the production design is amazing. The camerawork that showcases the Godavari regions and politics in a small town is executed superbly. In a way, Gangs of Godavari had a story, actors, and a solid premise. But it is director Krishna Chaitanya's immature narration that spoils the viewing experience.

Gangs of Godavari Verdict

Gangs of Godavari is a rural action drama with some great performances. Vishwak Sen leads from the front, but the lacklustre second half and lack of grip in the proceedings take the film down quickly and make it a below-par watch this weekend.

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