Gang Leader - Review

I think the makers of this movie had to rename this as Nani's Gang Leader because of some title issues. But I think it is apt. Gang Leader is totally Nani's. It is constantly surprising how Nani, with a height around 2 to 3 inches shorter than 6 feet, 2 packs lesser 6 pack and a hulk sized body, I mean hulk before he turns green, could make you glued to the screen with his amazing screen presence and of course obviously natural acting. I have absolutely zero things to pick on Nani here. He is impeccable in the role, Vikram wrote for him.

Vikram on the other hand wrote a very simple script with few nice thrilling scenes and some decent twists. No doubt it is a good script but I feel only Nani could pull this off and he was fortunate to have casted Nani for the role. You can not take Nani out of Gang Leader. He is the heart, soul, shoulder, liver and kidney of the movie. Vikram's writing is undoubtedly novel. Even the look and feel of the movie is very different from rest of the Telugu movies. This is a very family audience friendly thriller drama. Karthikeya shines in the negative role and his future looks promising in Telugu cinema. Lakshmi garu and rest of the cast are apt in the roles. The small kids role is used very efficiently to evoke emotions at regular intervals.

Movie starts off nice and proceeds with interesting and funny narration in first half. In second half movie becomes a little serious with thrilling episodes and twists. The movie feels like it reached the climax fast and in many ways it is a good sign. At the end of the movie you will be wishing the movie was longer and there was more of Nani, his naturally funny antics and amazing screen presence(oops did I say that already).

Music by Anirudh is apt for the movie. Cinematography is perfect. Production values look very average. Movie looks like made on a very tight budget in an effective way. Vikram in my opinion should be given a little bit more budget so that he can enlarge his story's canvas.

So this Gang Leader is indeed Nani's Gang Leader and come fall in love with the Nani(whom we already love) all over again.