'Gaami', produced by Karthik Sabareesh, was released in theatres today (March 8). Director Vidyadhar Kagita's screenplay (co-written by him and Pratyush Vatyam) has been touted to be its biggest strength. Does the film live up to the hype? Let's analyze.
Plot:
Shankar (Vishwak Sen) is a wounded Aghora on his quest to find the cure for his very rare condition, which pertains to his inability to experience any human touch. He must reach the Garhwal Himalayan Ranges wherein a mountain named Dronagiri is located. On the eve of Vaidra Thithi (it occurs only once every 36 years), a self-illuminating mushroom blooms. Only this mushroom can resolve his condition.
In a parallel track, Durga (Abhinaya), a Devadasi, has been removed from her services by a temple. Her daughter Uma is being forced by elders into Devadasi.
In another track, humans are being tortured at an
illegal medical centre that doubles up as an evil laboratory. How are the three tracks interrelated? Do the characters have hope? That's what the climax is about.
Performances:
Vishwak Sen doesn't get intimidated by the challenging role. He must be lauded for throwing his weight behind the project for six years. Chandini Chowdary as Shankar's fellow traveller is good. Abhinaya as the terminally ill Devadasi is able.
Technical Departments:
Vishwanath Reddy CH's cinematography is superior. The Production Design by Pravalya Duddupudi is thoughtful. The film is edited by Raghavendra Thirun with care. Sunil Raju Chinta's VFX supervision achieves so much within a tight budget.
Naresh Kumaran's background score is immersive enough. Wing chun Anji's fights are routine.
Plus:
1. Themes of physical abuse and mental torment have been shown without sensationalism.
2. Themes of hope and redemption play out organically without melodrama.
3. Poignancy is portrayed without watering down the impact.
4. 'Gaami' is high-concept movie-making meets mainstream Telugu cinema filming standards. This becomes evident in the second hour more.
5. The philosophical concept of Karma has been embellished with the adventure thriller genre.
6. The interspersed and entangled lives of the different characters comes to the fore at the right time.
Minus:
1. The Haridwar Ashram fight is thematically off.
2. The characters behave like they are talking about Shankar's problem for the first time even though they have known him for a long time.
3. The slow-burn nature of the screenplay is accentuated by the slower dialogue delivery.
4. Chandini's character looks like a convenience.
Vox Verdict:
'Gaami' presents a theatrical experience. If you can tolerate its pace, you will like the second half. Excellent making values, by the way.
Rating: 3/5
