Gaddalakonda Ganesh 2019

In a film studio, an aspiring director named Abhilash [Atharvaa Murali] a.k.a. Abhi is insulted by a director and vows to craft a great film in a matter of days. A perceptive producer recognizes his dedication and suggests he tackle a gangster biopic, which leads him to the ruthless Gani, officially known as Gaddalakonda Ganesh [Varun Tej], who rules the town of Gaddalakonda. Abhi travels there with his ally Chintakayyi to study Gani up close, and he soon targets Bujjamma [Mirnalini Ravi], the granddaughter of Gani’s chef, who unexpectedly falls for Abhi and slowly awakens feelings for him in return.

After a stretch of lighthearted, humorous moments, Abhi and Chintakayyi befriend Thuppaki, one of Gani’s right-hand men. They soon learn that Thuppaki is aiding Prabhakar, a rival, in trying to eliminate Gani to seize power. Gani detects the betrayal, plots to eliminate Thuppaki, and abducts Abhi and his friend. Abhi, facing danger, speaks the truth about his intentions, and Gani, oddly amused, believes that their biopic project is a real compliment to his life and invites him to narrate his own story, including the darker chapters of his criminal activities.

Gani’s backstory unfolds: as a child, he starts beating people for money and eventually becomes a fixer for a powerful MLA. He admires the actress Sridevi and becomes involved with a woman named Devi (Pooja Hegde), but caste tensions complicate their romance. Devi initially rejects him, then agrees after he rescues her from harassment, only to face resistance from her father. Devi and Gani attempt to escape together, but Gani refuses to kill for the MLA, deciding instead to walk away from that life. The MLA exposes Gani to the police, and at a railway station, Gani is beaten by authorities. Devi’s father arranges a marriage to someone of her caste, and Devi reluctantly wed a police officer. A later confrontation reveals that another MLA and a lawyer inform the police of Gani’s whereabouts; in a shocking moment, Gani confronts and slits the throat of that MLA in front of his mother, who thereafter refuses to speak to him.

Returning to the present, Bujjama learns of Abhi’s presence and confronts him. At a party marking Abhi’s return to Hyderabad, Bujjama pleads with Gani to take on the role of the film’s protagonist. Gani agrees, though Abhi initially resists. Abhi’s enthusiasm for making a film flickers back to life after hearing the words of a theatre operator, yet he finds himself hampered by Gani’s rough acting. To address this, Abhi enlists acting coach Muni Manikyam [Brahmaji], who works with Gani and his gang. The coach pushes them hard, praising Gani’s potential while using tough training methods to sharpen their screen presence.

Filming begins for the project, titled Seetimaar. The process proves daunting, and tensions rise as Bujjama and Abhi grow closer again, while Gani develops feelings for Bujjama as well. At the film’s audio launch, Gani reveals that he has gifted a villa to Abhi and expresses a wish to marry Bujjama, complicating the trio’s dynamics. The film is released to an extraordinary response, while Abhi and Bujjama secretly elope. Gani learns of their flight and contemplates murder, but his evolving public image complicates his decision: people who once trembled before him now seek selfies and admiration, including Thuppaki’s young daughter who praises his acting. Gani’s mother also breaks the silence and speaks to him at last.

Seeing the shifting tides, Gani ultimately spares Abhi and Bujjama and walks away from his life as a rowdy, choosing a different path. Meanwhile, Prabhakar’s henchman asks to be involved in Gani’s next project, which Sukumar is directing [Sukumar], adding another layer to the meta-film within the story. A separate thread follows Devi’s husband, the D.C.P., as Abhi’s paternal uncle delivers Gani’s recordings and evidence to him; Devi destroys the incriminating tape in a blender after realizing the D.C.P. couldn’t keep his promise to protect Gani—an act that hints Devi’s ongoing love for Gani. In the end, Abhi exploits Gani’s gang to secure appearances from stars like Nithiin [Nithiin] for his film and ultimately marries Bujjama, while Gani stands alone, having redefined his life beyond crime.