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| image = Gang Leader poster.jpg
| image = Gang Leader poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| writer = Vijaya Bapineedu<br/>[[Paruchuri Brothers]] (dialogues)
| starring = [[Chiranjeevi]]<br />[[Vijayashanti]]
| director = [[Vijaya Bapineedu]]
| director = [[Vijaya Bapineedu]]
| writer = Vijaya Bapineedu<br/>[[Paruchuri Brothers]] (Dialogues)
| cinematography = [[Lok Singh]]
| producer = Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary
| producer = Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary
| starring = [[Chiranjeevi]]<br />[[Vijayashanti]]
| cinematography = [[Lok Singh]]
| editing = Vijaya Bapineedu
| editing = Vijaya Bapineedu
| music = [[Bappi Lahari]]
| studio = Shyam Prasad Arts
| studio = Shyam Prasad Arts
| distributor = [[Geetha Arts]]
| distributor = [[Geetha Arts]]
| country = India
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1991|05|09}}
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1991|05|09}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Telugu
| language = Telugu
| gross = {{INR|10 crore}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=Chiranjeevi's Gang Leader Completes 32 Years, Know Some Unknown Facts |url=https://www.news18.com/entertainment/telugu-cinema/chiranjeevis-gang-leader-completes-32-years-know-some-unknown-facts-7772041.html |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=[[News18]] |language=en}}</ref>
| music = [[Bappi Lahari]]
| budget =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''Gang Leader''''' is a 1991 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[action crime film]] written and directed by [[Vijaya Bapineedu]], and produced by Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/gang-leader-vijaya-bapineedu-passes-away/article26252512.ece|title='Gang Leader' Vijaya Bapineedu passes away|date=12 February 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> The film stars [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Vijayashanti]], while [[Raogopal Rao|Rao Gopal Rao]], [[Anandaraj]], [[Murali Mohan]], and [[Sarath Kumar]] play supporting roles. The soundtrack was composed by [[Bappi Lahiri]] with dance choreography by [[Prabhu Deva]]. The film explores the concepts of exploitation of [[law enforcement]] by [[anti-social behaviour]] and the impact of [[crowd psychology|mob psychology]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/chiranjeevi-take-a-look-at-the-actors-imprint-in-the-showbiz-world/Gang-Leader/photostory/65490394.cms|title=Gang Leader – Chiranjeevi: Take a look at the actor's imprint in the showbiz world|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/gang-leader.html|title=Gang Leader (1991) &#124; Gang Leader Movie &#124; Gang Leader Telugu Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos|website=FilmiBeat}}</ref>
'''''Gang Leader''''' is a 1991 Indian [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language [[action crime film]] written and directed by [[Vijaya Bapineedu]], and produced by Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=12 February 2019 |title='Gang Leader' Vijaya Bapineedu passes away |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/gang-leader-vijaya-bapineedu-passes-away/article26252512.ece |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=30 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230070809/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/gang-leader-vijaya-bapineedu-passes-away/article26252512.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film stars [[Chiranjeevi]] and [[Vijayashanti]], while [[Raogopal Rao|Rao Gopal Rao]], [[Anandaraj]], [[Murali Mohan]], and [[Sarath Kumar]] play supporting roles. The soundtrack was composed by [[Bappi Lahiri]] with dance choreography by [[Prabhu Deva]]. The film explores the concepts of exploitation of [[law enforcement]] by [[anti-social behaviour]] and the impact of [[crowd psychology|mob psychology]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |title=Gang Leader – Chiranjeevi: Take a look at the actor's imprint in the showbiz world |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/chiranjeevi-take-a-look-at-the-actors-imprint-in-the-showbiz-world/Gang-Leader/photostory/65490394.cms |access-date=30 December 2019 |archive-date=8 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408172235/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/photo-features/chiranjeevi-take-a-look-at-the-actors-imprint-in-the-showbiz-world/Gang-Leader/photostory/65490394.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>


The film opened to highly positive reviews from the critics and was commercially successful at the [[box office]].<ref name="auto"/> It was screened at the [[International Film Festival of India]]. Later, it was dubbed in Tamil with the same title. The film was later remade in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj]]'' (1992) where [[Chiranjeevi]] reprises his role, and in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Kutumba]]'' (2003).<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" />
The film opened to highly positive reviews from the critics and became the highest grossing Telugu film at the time.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=S. Hari Prasad |date=18 April 2024 |title=Most Industry hits telugu hero: కెరీర్లో ఎక్కువ ఇండస్ట్రీ హిట్స్ అందుకున్న తెలుగు హీరోలు వీళ్లే.. టాప్‌లో మెగాస్టార్ |url=https://telugu.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/telugu-hero-with-most-industry-hits-chiranjeevi-on-top-anr-ntr-prabhas-allu-arjun-balakrishna-in-the-list-121713439405225.html |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=te}}</ref><ref name="auto" /> It was screened at the [[International Film Festival of India]]. Later, it was dubbed in Tamil with the same title. The film was later remade in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj]]'' (1992) where [[Chiranjeevi]] reprises his role and in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Kutumba]]'' (2003).<ref name="auto" /><ref name="auto1" />


==Plot==
== Plot ==
Raghupathi, Raghava and Rajaram are brothers. Raghupathi is the only breadwinner of the family, Raghava is preparing for the [[Civil Services Examination]], and Rajaram is an unemployed, and freelance dancer who spends time with his four friends in search of jobs. They roam in the city until midnight. Rajaram comes home at midnight and sleeps until noon; his grandmother Sabari yells at him for his irresponsibility and callousness. One day, Rajaram makes Kanyakumari vacate the house on a payment basis as she is not paying the rent to the landlord. Consequently, she barges into Rajaram's house for accommodation.
Raghupathi, Raghava and Rajaram are brothers. Raghupathi is the only breadwinner of the family, Raghava is preparing for the [[Civil Services Examination]], and Rajaram is an unemployed freelance dancer who spends time with his four friends in search of jobs. They roam in the city until midnight. Rajaram comes home at midnight and sleeps until noon; his grandmother Sabari yells at him for his irresponsibility and callousness. One day, Rajaram makes Kanyakumari vacate the house on a payment basis as she is not paying the rent to the landlord. Consequently, she barges into Rajaram's house for accommodation. At one situation, Rajaram goes to custody for money so that he can support Raghava, who is in need of funding for his [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] preparation.


At one situation, Rajaram goes to custody for money so that he can support his brother Raghava who is in need of funding for his [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]] preparation. Meanwhile, Ekambaram, a Mafia ringleader known for [[contract killing]], and [[extortion]], alongside his brother Kanakambaram kill Rajaram's elder brother Raghupathi as he witnesses a homicide. Rajaram was spending time in jail when this incident happens, however his friends are aware of Raghupathi's death. Rajaram, on the other hand, thinks that his brother's death was an accident.
Meanwhile, Ekambaram, a dreaded gangster known for [[contract killing]] and [[extortion]], alongside his brother Kanakambaram, kill Raghupathi as he witnessed a homicide. Rajaram was spending time in prison when this incident happened. However, his friends are aware of Raghupathi's death. Rajaram, on the other hand, thinks that his brother's death was an accident. Raghava becomes an IAS officer and marries Latha, which was a scheme planned by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram so that they can escape cases with his support. Latha hates Raghava's family members, whereas Kanyakumari loves Rajaram and his family members. Meanwhile, Rajaram learns of his brother's death and begins to investigate, whereas his friends are also murdered by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram at the time.


Raghava becomes an IAS officer and marries Latha, which was a scheme planned by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram so that they can escape criminal cases with his support. Latha hates Raghava's family members, whereas Kanyakumari loves Rajaram and his family members. Meanwhile, Rajaram learns of his brother's death and inquires as to who was responsible for the death. His friends are also murdered by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram at the time. Rajaram is framed by the murders, and Raghava disowns him. With Kanyakumari's help, Rajaram escapes from jail, and Kanyakumari reveals that she is Ekambaram's daughter. She ran away from home after her father killed her mother, and then she began moving into other people's houses. After hearing this, Rajaram falls for her. The film ends with Rajaram avenging his brother's death by killing the villains and in the process unites his broken family.
Rajaram is framed for his friends' death, and Raghava disowns him. With Kanyakumari's help, Rajaram escapes from prison, and Kanyakumari reveals that she is Ekambaram's daughter, who ran away from home after her father killed her mother, and thus she began moving into other people's houses. After revealing this, Kanyakumari proposes to Rajaram, who accepts. Rajaram finds the evidence and goes to his brother's house, only to find that Ekambaram and Kanakambaram has held them captive. Rajaram and Kanyakumari arrives, where they kill Ekambaram and Kanakambaram, and the broken family finally leads a happy life.


==Cast==
== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|

* [[Chiranjeevi]] as Rajaram
{| class="wikitable"
* [[Vijayashanti]] as Kanyakumari
|-
* [[Rao Gopal Rao]] as Ekambaram
! Actor !! Character
* [[Anandaraj]] as Kanakambaram
|-
* [[Murali Mohan]] as Raghupati
| [[Chiranjeevi]]|| Rajaram
* [[Sarath Kumar]] as Raghava
|-
* [[Nirmalamma]] as Sabari (Rajaram's grandmother)
| [[Vijayashanti]]|| Kanyakumari
* [[Sudha (Telugu actress)|Sudha]] as Lakshmi (Raghupati's wife)
|-
* [[Sumalatha]] as Latha (Raghava's wife)
| [[Raogopal Rao]]|| Ekambaram
* [[Vallabhaneni Janardhan]] as Latha's father
|-
* [[Nutan Prasad]] as Home Minister Gali Subba Rao
| [[Anandaraj]]|| Kanakambaram
* [[Kaikala Satyanarayana]] as Jailer
|-
* [[Allu Ramalingaiah]] as Sidhanthi
| [[Murali Mohan]]|| Raghupati
* [[G. V. Narayana Rao]] as Narayana
|-
* [[Hari Prasad (actor)|Hari Prasad]] as Hari
| [[Sarath Kumar]]|| Raghava
* [[Maharshi Raghava]] as Raghava
|-
* [[Prasad Babu]] as Ekambaram's henchman
| [[Nirmalamma]]|| Sabari (Rajaram's grandmother)
* Jayalalitha as Chukka
|-
* Nuthalapati Subbaro as House Owner
| [[Sudha (Telugu actress)|Sudha]]|| Lakshmi (Raghupati's wife)
}}
|-
| [[Sumalatha]]|| Latha (Raghava's wife)
|-
| [[Nutan Prasad]]|| Home Minister Gali Subba Rao
|-
| [[Kaikala Satyanarayana]]|| Jailer
|-
| [[Allu Ramalingaiah]]|| Sidhanthi
|-
| [[G. V. Narayana Rao]]|| Narayana
|-
| [[Hari Prasad]]|| Hari
|-
| [[Maharshi Raghava]]|| Raghava
|-
|[[Prasad Babu]]
|Henchman of Ekambaram
|-
| Jayalalitha|| Chukka
|-
| Nuthalapati Subbaro|| House owner
|}


==Soundtrack==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Gang Leader
| name = Gang Leader
Line 95: Line 72:
| next_year = 1992
| next_year = 1992
}}
}}
The Music and background score was provided by [[Bappi Lahiri]] and the lyrics were penned by [[Veturi]] and [[Bhuvanachandra]]. The soundtrack was an instant hit and "Papa Rita" and "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" were a rage in the entire state at that time.
The Music and background score was provided by [[Bappi Lahiri]] and the lyrics were penned by [[Veturi]] and [[Bhuvanachandra]]. The soundtrack was an instant hit and "Papa Rita" and "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" were a rage in the entire state at that time. The song "Paala Bugga" is loosely based on Bappi's own song "Tutak Tutak Tutiya" from ''[[Ghar Ka Chiraag]]''.

Bhuvanachandra noted that "Vaana Vaana" was his first song on rain, he was initially apprehensive about writing this song since other songs of the same nature were popular. Bappi composed the tune at Suresh Guest House, initially, the tune was rejected however Bhuvan insisted that the tune should be retained.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-wrote-vana-vana-in-the-train/article3926611.ece|title='I wrote 'vana vana…' in the train'|first=M. L.|last=Narasimham|date=22 September 2012|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> Later, the song "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" was re-mixed by [[Mani Sharma]] for the 2012 film ''[[Rachcha]]''.
Bhuvanachandra noted that "Vaana Vaana" was his first song on rain, he was initially apprehensive about writing this song since other songs of the same nature were popular. Bappi composed the tune at Suresh Guest House, initially, the tune was rejected however Bhuvan insisted that the tune should be retained.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narasimham |first=M. L. |date=22 September 2012 |title='I wrote 'vana vana…' in the train' |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-wrote-vana-vana-in-the-train/article3926611.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230906154108/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/i-wrote-vana-vana-in-the-train/article3926611.ece |archive-date=6 September 2023}}</ref> Later, the song "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" was re-mixed by [[Mani Sharma]] for the 2012 film ''[[Rachcha]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kavirayani |first=Suresh |date=13 December 2012 |title=Tollywood stars dance to daddy's tunes |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tollywood-stars-dance-to-daddys-tunes/articleshow/17599269.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118144945/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Tollywood-stars-dance-to-daddys-tunes/articleshow/17599269.cms |archive-date=18 November 2014 |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


=== Telugu version ===
=== Telugu version ===
<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-31 |title=Gang Leader (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/gang-leader-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1161374591 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231128044802/https://music.apple.com/in/album/gang-leader-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1161374591 |archive-date=2023-11-28 |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=[[Apple Music]] |language=en-GB}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:70%;"
|-
|-
Line 112: Line 90:
| "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Bhuvana Chandra
| "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Bhuvana Chandra
|-
|-
| "Vayasu Vayasu" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Veturi Sundararama Murthy
| "Vayasu Vayasu" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Veturi
|-
|-
| "Panisaasasa" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Bhuvana Chandra
| "Panisaasasa" || S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra || Bhuvana Chandra
Line 118: Line 96:


=== Tamil version ===
=== Tamil version ===
Lyrics written by [[Vairamuthu]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gang Leader - Sivandamalar Tamil Audio Cassette |url=https://banumass.com/product/tamil-audio-cassette/tamil-audio-cassettes/gang-leader-sivandamalar-tamil-audio-cassette/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=Banumass |language=en-US |archive-date=28 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128045841/https://banumass.com/product/tamil-audio-cassette/tamil-audio-cassettes/gang-leader-sivandamalar-tamil-audio-cassette/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lyrics written by Vairamuthu.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3ef_lQXW_A</ref>

{{Tracklist
{{Tracklist
| headline = Track list
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length =
| total_length =
| title1 = Paapa Rita Mutham Ketta
| title1 = Paapa Rita Mutham Ketta
| extra1 = S. P. Balasubramaniam
| extra1 = S. P. Balasubramaniam
| length1 = 4:48
| length1 = 4:48
| title2 = Pattupoove Thottu Paaru
| title2 = Pattupoove Thottu Paaru
| extra2 =S. P. B., Chithra
| extra2 = S. P. B., Chithra
| length2 = 4:38
| length2 = 4:38
| title3 = Vaadai Vaadai Mazhaiyin
| title3 = Vaadai Vaadai Mazhaiyin
| extra3 =S. P. B., Chithra
| extra3 = S. P. B., Chithra
| length3 = 4:37
| length3 = 4:37
| title4 = Pallavaram Selai
| title4 = Pallavaram Selai
| extra4 = S. P. B.
| extra4 = S. P. B.
| length4 = 5:20
| length4 = 5:20
| title5 = Sunday Kannadithaay
| title5 = Sunday Kannadithaay
| extra5 =S. P. B., Chithra
| extra5 = S. P. B., Chithra
| length5 = 5:36
| length5 = 5:36
}}
}}


== Release and reception ==
==Reception==
The movie was a huge success. It is considered to be one of the top movies in Chiranjeevi's career. This movie earned more than 70 million of Distributory Share. ''Gang Leader'' did a 162-day run at Sudharshan theatre in Hyderabad. The movie successfully completed 100 days in more than 50 theaters. The movie was dubbed into Tamil and Kannada. It was a success in those areas also.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/>
Sold for {{INRConvert|2.2|c}}, the film grossed more than twice that amount.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prasad |first=Ayyappa |date=5 January 1992 |title=The starry starry south |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19920105&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=Sunday Magazine |publisher=[[Indian Express Limited|Indian Express Group]] |page=27}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It is considered to be one of the top movies in Chiranjeevi's career. ''Gang Leader'' had a 162-day run at Sudharshan theatre in Hyderabad. The film successfully completed 100 days in more than 50 theatres.<ref name="auto" />


Notably, the 100-day celebrations of the film were a major event in the Telugu film industry, with festivities arranged simultaneously in four centres—[[Tirupati]], [[Vijayawada]], [[Eluru]], and [[Hyderabad]]. Chiranjeevi and some crew members flew in a helicopter to attend all the celebrations, marking the first time such an event had been organized.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sri Atluri |date=2020-02-12 |title=Archives: Vijaya Bapineedu’s last interview |url=https://telugucinema.com/nostalgia/archives-vijaya-bapineedus-last-interview |access-date=2024-08-28 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Trivia==
The classic car which was used in the movie "Citroën CX pallas" at the time owned by Relangi Thirumalla Babu, was the only car in South India at that time. The car can be seen in the movie as Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti are talking and the scene cut to Marriage and Vijayashanti commands Chiranjeevi to follow her to marriage.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/>


''Gang Leader'' was dubbed into Tamil and Kannada. It was a success in those areas also.<ref name="auto" /> The film was re-released in [[4K resolution|4K]] quality on 4 March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 February 2023 |title=Latest: Chiranjeevi's Gang Leader seals new re-release date |url=https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/latest-chiranjeevis-gang-leader-seals-new-re-release-date.html |access-date=13 July 2023 |website=[[123Telugu]] |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713120349/https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/latest-chiranjeevis-gang-leader-seals-new-re-release-date.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
The film's 100 days function's video footage was used in the Telugu comedy film [[Appula Appa Rao]].


==References==
== Legacy ==
Video footage of the film's 100 days celebration was used in the Telugu comedy film ''[[Appula Appa Rao]]'' (1992).
{{Reflist|2}}


==External links==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0245911}}
* {{IMDb title|0245911}}


[[Category:Films scored by Bappi Lahiri]]
[[Category:1990s action drama films]]
[[Category:Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:1990s crime action films]]
[[Category:1990s crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s masala films]]
[[Category:Films set in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:1990s Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama films]]
[[Category:1991 crime drama films]]
[[Category:1991 crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Andhra Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Andhra Pradesh Police]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:1990s action drama films]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Social realism in film]]
[[Category:Films scored by Bappi Lahiri]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in fiction]]
[[Category:Films set in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:Indian crime action films]]
[[Category:Indian crime drama films]]
[[Category:Indian gangster films]]
[[Category:Indian gangster films]]
[[Category:1990s masala films]]
[[Category:Fiction about law enforcement]]
[[Category:Films about social realism]]
[[Category:Telugu films remade in other languages]]

Latest revision as of 16:17, 24 November 2024

This article is about the 1991 film. For the 2019 film, see Nani's Gang Leader.

Gang Leader
Theatrical release poster
Directed byVijaya Bapineedu
Written byVijaya Bapineedu
Paruchuri Brothers (Dialogues)
Produced byMaganti Ravindranath Chowdary
StarringChiranjeevi
Vijayashanti
CinematographyLok Singh
Edited byVijaya Bapineedu
Music byBappi Lahari
Production
company
Shyam Prasad Arts
Distributed byGeetha Arts
Release date
  • 9 May 1991 (1991-05-09)
CountryIndia
LanguageTelugu
Box office₹10 crore[1]

Gang Leader is a 1991 Indian Telugu-language action crime film written and directed by Vijaya Bapineedu, and produced by Maganti Ravindranath Chowdary.[2] The film stars Chiranjeevi and Vijayashanti, while Rao Gopal Rao, Anandaraj, Murali Mohan, and Sarath Kumar play supporting roles. The soundtrack was composed by Bappi Lahiri with dance choreography by Prabhu Deva. The film explores the concepts of exploitation of law enforcement by anti-social behaviour and the impact of mob psychology.[3]

The film opened to highly positive reviews from the critics and became the highest grossing Telugu film at the time.[4][3] It was screened at the International Film Festival of India. Later, it was dubbed in Tamil with the same title. The film was later remade in Hindi as Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj (1992) where Chiranjeevi reprises his role and in Kannada as Kutumba (2003).[3][2]

Plot

[edit]

Raghupathi, Raghava and Rajaram are brothers. Raghupathi is the only breadwinner of the family, Raghava is preparing for the Civil Services Examination, and Rajaram is an unemployed freelance dancer who spends time with his four friends in search of jobs. They roam in the city until midnight. Rajaram comes home at midnight and sleeps until noon; his grandmother Sabari yells at him for his irresponsibility and callousness. One day, Rajaram makes Kanyakumari vacate the house on a payment basis as she is not paying the rent to the landlord. Consequently, she barges into Rajaram's house for accommodation. At one situation, Rajaram goes to custody for money so that he can support Raghava, who is in need of funding for his IAS preparation.

Meanwhile, Ekambaram, a dreaded gangster known for contract killing and extortion, alongside his brother Kanakambaram, kill Raghupathi as he witnessed a homicide. Rajaram was spending time in prison when this incident happened. However, his friends are aware of Raghupathi's death. Rajaram, on the other hand, thinks that his brother's death was an accident. Raghava becomes an IAS officer and marries Latha, which was a scheme planned by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram so that they can escape cases with his support. Latha hates Raghava's family members, whereas Kanyakumari loves Rajaram and his family members. Meanwhile, Rajaram learns of his brother's death and begins to investigate, whereas his friends are also murdered by Ekambaram and Kanakambaram at the time.

Rajaram is framed for his friends' death, and Raghava disowns him. With Kanyakumari's help, Rajaram escapes from prison, and Kanyakumari reveals that she is Ekambaram's daughter, who ran away from home after her father killed her mother, and thus she began moving into other people's houses. After revealing this, Kanyakumari proposes to Rajaram, who accepts. Rajaram finds the evidence and goes to his brother's house, only to find that Ekambaram and Kanakambaram has held them captive. Rajaram and Kanyakumari arrives, where they kill Ekambaram and Kanakambaram, and the broken family finally leads a happy life.

Cast

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Soundtrack

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Gang Leader
Soundtrack album by
Bappi Lahiri
Released1992
Recorded1992
GenreFilmi
LanguageTelugu
LabelLahari Music
Bappi Lahiri chronology
Indra Bhavanam
(1992) 		Gang Leader
(1992) 		Rowdy Alludu
(1992)

The Music and background score was provided by Bappi Lahiri and the lyrics were penned by Veturi and Bhuvanachandra. The soundtrack was an instant hit and "Papa Rita" and "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" were a rage in the entire state at that time. The song "Paala Bugga" is loosely based on Bappi's own song "Tutak Tutak Tutiya" from Ghar Ka Chiraag.

Bhuvanachandra noted that "Vaana Vaana" was his first song on rain, he was initially apprehensive about writing this song since other songs of the same nature were popular. Bappi composed the tune at Suresh Guest House, initially, the tune was rejected however Bhuvan insisted that the tune should be retained.[5] Later, the song "Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" was re-mixed by Mani Sharma for the 2012 film Rachcha.[6]

Telugu version

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[7]

Song Title Singers Lyricist
"Papa Rita" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Bhuvana Chandra
"Paala Bugga" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra Veturi
"Bhadrachalam" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra Bhuvana Chandra
"Vaana Vaana Velluvaye" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra Bhuvana Chandra
"Vayasu Vayasu" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra Veturi
"Panisaasasa" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Chitra Bhuvana Chandra

Tamil version

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Lyrics written by Vairamuthu.[8]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Paapa Rita Mutham Ketta"S. P. Balasubramaniam4:48
2."Pattupoove Thottu Paaru"S. P. B., Chithra4:38
3."Vaadai Vaadai Mazhaiyin"S. P. B., Chithra4:37
4."Pallavaram Selai"S. P. B.5:20
5."Sunday Kannadithaay"S. P. B., Chithra5:36

Release and reception

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Sold for ₹2.2 crore (US$260,000), the film grossed more than twice that amount.[9] It is considered to be one of the top movies in Chiranjeevi's career. Gang Leader had a 162-day run at Sudharshan theatre in Hyderabad. The film successfully completed 100 days in more than 50 theatres.[3]

Notably, the 100-day celebrations of the film were a major event in the Telugu film industry, with festivities arranged simultaneously in four centres—Tirupati, Vijayawada, Eluru, and Hyderabad. Chiranjeevi and some crew members flew in a helicopter to attend all the celebrations, marking the first time such an event had been organized.[10]

Gang Leader was dubbed into Tamil and Kannada. It was a success in those areas also.[3] The film was re-released in 4K quality on 4 March 2023.[11]

Legacy

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Video footage of the film's 100 days celebration was used in the Telugu comedy film Appula Appa Rao (1992).

References

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  1. ^ "Chiranjeevi's Gang Leader Completes 32 Years, Know Some Unknown Facts". News18. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "'Gang Leader' Vijaya Bapineedu passes away". The Hindu. 12 February 2019. Archived from the original on 30 December 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gang Leader – Chiranjeevi: Take a look at the actor's imprint in the showbiz world". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  4. ^ S. Hari Prasad (18 April 2024). "Most Industry hits telugu hero: కెరీర్లో ఎక్కువ ఇండస్ట్రీ హిట్స్ అందుకున్న తెలుగు హీరోలు వీళ్లే.. టాప్‌లో మెగాస్టార్". Hindustan Times (in Telugu). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  5. ^ Narasimham, M. L. (22 September 2012). "'I wrote 'vana vana…' in the train'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023.
  6. ^ Kavirayani, Suresh (13 December 2012). "Tollywood stars dance to daddy's tunes". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Gang Leader (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Apple Music. 31 August 2014. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Gang Leader - Sivandamalar Tamil Audio Cassette". Banumass. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  9. ^ Prasad, Ayyappa (5 January 1992). "The starry starry south". Sunday Magazine. Indian Express Group. p. 27. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  10. ^ Sri Atluri (12 February 2020). "Archives: Vijaya Bapineedu's last interview". Telugucinema.com. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Latest: Chiranjeevi's Gang Leader seals new re-release date". 123Telugu. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
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