Neha Shetty, Vishwak Sen and Anjali in ‘Gangs of Godavari’
In a few minutes Gangs of GodavariIn the Telugu gangster drama written and directed by Krishna Chaitanya, the protagonist Ratna (Vishwak Sen) says that he doesn’t know if he is good or bad, and that he doesn’t want to give the false impression of being a good person. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that this is no trivial statement. The story revolves around his character who is dark, messy and on the wrong side of the moral compass. The film takes a collective tone and celebrates some of the protagonist’s antics but also holds up a mirror to him. Gangs of Godavari is ambitious and takes off his hat for these kinds of movies Nayakan, Vada Chennai And gangs of wasseypur.While its writing and execution don’t always match the ambition, there’s plenty to explore and engage with. Plus, this gangster drama doesn’t let its women down easily.
The narrative quickly establishes the setting and its people with all their complexities. In a village on the banks of the mighty Godavari, we find ‘Kaththi Kattadam‘ Or people keep a trident to take revenge on a character. The belief is that whoever has a trident in his name cannot escape death. The only one who has escaped it so far is Ratna, but the odds are stacked against him.
Going back to a time when ballot boxes were used and there were no smartphones, the film narrates the journey of Ratna, a shrewd opportunist who quickly rises from being a small-time trader to mining sand and making a name for himself in politics. The sun-drenched warm tones of Anith Madadi’s cinematography further elevate this grim tale.
Gangs of Godavari (Telugu)
Director: Krishna Chaitanya
Cast: Vishwak Sen, Anjali and Neha Shetty Story: In a village on the banks of Godavari, gangster Ratna rises rapidly in business and politics but has to face his demons.
His story unfolds with a rich mix of humour as he meets his arch rivals Doraswamy Raju (Goparaju Ramana) and Nanaji (Nassar). Integral to Ratna’s story are the roles played by sex workers Ratnamala (Anjali) and Bujji (Neha Shetty), whose pedigree, when revealed, is not surprising.
The first hour moves quickly, never veering between gangster drama and exploring aspects of common people, who mostly seem naïve. Ratna traps everyone and everything in his web, and his rise sometimes comes across as a satire on politics and people. Do watch the kidnapping and ransom episode, full of funny moments.
At one point, Ratna names herself Tiger and says that what may seem strange at first will be accepted by people if repeated over and over again. Such small details serve as sharp observations of society. There is a lot to absorb and understand and the film seems to be headed in a safe direction.
However, in the later portions, as we learn more about Ratnakar, the story falters. As expected, he has a backstory. Thankfully, it does not explicitly justify his actions; he is nevertheless held accountable. Vishwak Sen sheds his urbane demeanour and portrays Ratnakar’s swag, anger and weakness with conviction. This is one of his remarkable performances, especially when the cracks in his armour are exposed and he realises his weakness and confronts his fears. What could have worked more in these portions was the presence of a strong antagonist.
As always, Anjali is convincing and plays her role without any falseness. She fits the bill of a woman who has faced all hardships. Neha gradually makes her mark; the role which initially seems decorative makes way for a slightly stronger character and she is effective.
Gangs of Godavari It is an interesting attempt. Had more attention been paid to its writing, it could have been a solid gangster drama.
