# Nani's Gang Leader

Nani's Gang Leader (also known simply as Gang Leader) is a 2019 Indian Telugu-language action comedy film written and directed by Vikram Kumar. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film stars Nani, Priyanka Mohan, Kartikeya, Lakshmi, Saranya Ponvannan, Shriya Kontham and Praanya P. Rao. The music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. In this film, five women seek the help of a crime novelist to avenge the death of their loved ones. The film was released on Thursday 13 September 2019, after being pushed back from previously scheduled release date of 31 August 2019. It received positive response from critics. This was the last film where Mohan Cherukuri (CVM) was involved in Mythri Movie Makers and also Priyanka's first lead role and Telugu debut film.

## Plot

Six individuals rob a bank for ₹300 crore (US$36 million), but one betrays and kills the others, fleeing with the money.
Five women—Saraswati, Varalakshmi, Priya, Swati, and Srinidhi (Chinnu)—all lost loved ones in the robbery. Brought together by Saraswati, they seek vengeance. They approach "Pencil" Parthasarathy, a crime novelist who plagiarizes foreign movies, to help track down the culprit. Though reluctant at first, Pencil agrees, sensing an opportunity to write an original story.
They suspect Dev, an ambulance driver turned F1 racer. Dev had killed his father for insurance money to buy a bike and later joined five terminally ill cancer patients in planning the robbery, supposedly to leave money for their families. After the heist, Dev killed them and used the money to fund his racing career.
The group finds Dev's hidden stash of money, but Dev learns someone is after him. He identifies Pencil and tips off the police, but Pencil manages to transfer the money. However, Saraswati steals the money from Pencil, revealing her true motive: Dev killed her husband who ran a bookstore near the bank, not her grandson, during the robbery. The supposed grandson was an orphan who planned to donate his share of the heist to the orphanage he grew up in. Saraswati donates the stolen money to the orphanage, deciding to abandon her revenge after an incident involving Chinnu.
Pencil confronts Dev at his garage, kills him in self-defense, and stages it as an accident. When Pencil returns, the group tells him of their decision to let go of their desire for revenge. Upon watching the news of Dev's death, Chinnu, traumatized into muteness after her father’s death, finally speaks. Pencil and Priya get married, and he publishes his first original novel, Gang Leader, based on their experiences.
In the end, the police close the robbery case, with their only clue being a dog collar labeled "Sravani." It’s revealed that Sravani was Pencil’s dog, killed by the robbers, meaning Pencil unknowingly avenged his own loss as well.

## Cast

* Nani as "Pencil" Parthasarathy
* Kartikeya as Dev
* Priyanka Arul Mohan as Priya
* Lakshmi as Saraswathi
* Saranya Ponvannan as Varalakshmi
* Shriya Reddy as Swathi
* Praanya P. Rao as Srinidhi "Chinnu"
* Anish Kuruvilla as Sub Inspector
* Vennela Kishore as Santoor Senakkayala
* Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Ramakrishna
* Satya as Subramanyam, Dev's former colleague
* Vivek Kumar as RTO Officer
* Getup Srinu as Manikyam
* Sukumar as himself (cameo appearance)
* Anirudh Ravichander as himself in the end credit song "Gang-u Leader"

## Music

The soundtrack of the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander and lyrics by Anantha Sriram and Inno Genga. The promotional song of Gang Leader title track is reused in Dharala Prabhu.

## Release

The film was released on 13 September 2019, after being pushed back from previously scheduled release date of 30 August 2019.

## Reception
### Critical reception

The Times of India gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Nani's Gang Leader tries to tick all the boxes but comes across as a half-hearted attempt, They succeed — but only in parts".
Behindwoods gave 3 out of 5 stars stating "Gang Leader is an inventive, wildly entertaining comedy with a great ensemble performance.".
The Indian Express gave 2.5 out of 5 stars stating "Gang Leader has its moments, thanks to Nani's effortless presence. He keeps the scenes lively and bright. It is not a bad film but that doesn't mean it is outstanding either".