Gaami

Gaami is a story of a reclusive Aghora trying to find a cure for his condition. We are introduced to three parallel plot lines, much like an anthology, and we get to see the characters struggling at various levels. The rest of the story is about whether they would be able to overcome their struggles.

While this story had a lot of potential to be a blockbuster thriller, the director's lack of conviction in handling the subject makes this an average watch. The writers take almost 45 minutes to kick start proceedings in act 2 while not giving us anything to hold on to in act 1. While transition to act 2 starts with an interesting premise, the director could not sustain that curiosity into act 3. The movie falters quite drastically in act 2 with illogical adventure set pieces that seem ridiculous.

This writing needed good dialogues but what we get instead is a bland exposition that barely creates any impact. There are too many liberties taken which dilute the seriousness of the plot. Although the movie redeems itself a little bit in act 3, by the time it gets there all the interest is lost as there are too many unanswered questions in the end.

The director focused more on the visuals instead of focusing on storytelling. We barely get any reasoning for the events happening on screen and we are expected to somehow connect emotionally with the characters which did not happen.

Bottomline, this story had a lot of scope and potential to be a spectacle in the right hands. But director Vidhyadhar Kagita fails to deliver the impact.

Gaami is a man's journey to seek how it feels to get the physical touch of his own people and his adventures to get rid of the problem he has and feel the contact.

Positives:

1. The incredible hardwork of the Dir. Vidyadhar is clearly seen in each frame he directed with limited resources he had.

2. The Classic Shankar Mahadevan vocals playing in the background when Shankar is in full mood to achieve the maalipatra for leaves behind the mark in the movie.

3. The 3 characters speak a lot even though all of them get limited screen time.

Negatives:

1. Some loopholes 2. The plot twists were something that would easily get predicted if you are fond of the particular genre of the film (hollywood) but this was the very one of a kind in TFI which is the only thing matters.

3. The screenplay was good but it would be great to see if it was rushly paced in the 2nd half too feel the damn tense environment.

At the end it is a film every Cinephile must watch.

"Gaami" breaks free from Telugu cinema cliches, offering a profound and humane journey of self-discovery. Unlike most mainstream films that rely on sensationalism, director Vidhyadhar Kagita crafts a beautiful and artistic experience. So it's simple, if you're craving a racy plot, a formulaic hero worshipping, high moments, or some message at the end, "Gaami" isn't your movie. This debut film is a cinematic novel, exploring the relentless struggle (Sisyphean persistence) and emotional extremes of its main characters at the expense of flawed writing which isn't a big letdown. Every element, from editing, VFX, Art direction to Sound design manages to hold the film's atmosphere. Even the interval sequence challenges expectations. Unlike typical Telugu films that rely on a big bang or goosebumps, Gaami offers something different but not ordinary with just one day left to find the rare Mali Patra flower, the only solution as it breaks for interval. Many viewers remained glued to their seats, maybe they were expecting a goosepimple moment or intermission text. Of course, there's nothing wrong with crowd-pleasing interval bang and high moments, but Gaami proves we don't need the same formula every time. It's a shame that majority of audiences are accustomed to the fast pace of short videos, expect every movie to be like a 30-second Instagram or TikTok clip.

Even the finale perfectly exemplifies the films theme and pacing, Shankar's (Vishwak Sen) journey comes full circle in a satisfying way, without unnecessary exaggeration or resorting to theatrics. The ending is quiet, with a moment of silence and no music, followed by a bittersweet score as Shankar discovers the human touch, cure, healing, and redemption.

And now Gaami isn't flawless, the screenplay, while managing to be intriguing, could have benefited from tighter focus on parallel storylines compared to the impressive visuals. Editing choices feel jarring at times to cover up the budget, and some scenes might feel repetitive. The gore, though present, might not satisfy fans of horror and gorehound genre like me considering the film's A certification. But i feel the mainstream viewer might find even the existing gore unsettling. The attempt at a non-linear, anthology style narrative might feel like it overreaches and tests the audience's patience.

However, I have to admit some bias and give brownie points. The sheer effort and passion poured into this project, culminating in its release, deserves some credit. The film will likely draw comparisons to world movies, but showcasing its influences the film manages to stay true and rooted. It's important to note that Gaami leaves some questions unanswered, which might frustrate some viewers seeking complete melodramatic closure. While the film isn't flawless, its technical achievements and artistic merit are so strong that many of its shortcomings can be forgiven.

In summary, This DIY project later backed by UV creation is truly special for Telugu cinema. The film's unhurried pace, akin to a slow burn, might test majority of Telugu cine-goers and mass audience patience. It might not be for everyone but for those who appreciate artistic endeavors and support such daring attempt, this is a must-watch. Gaami is the kind of movie that passionate cinephiles must support and spread the word!

The film captivates the audience with its stunning cinematography, keeping viewers in awe throughout. Credit is due to the actors for embracing challenging roles and infusing every scene with liveliness. The narrative unfolds with intensity, compelling the audience to decipher the connections between each storyline. The filmmaker's passion for cinema shines through in the spectacular visuals and sound design, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

However, the film falls short of meeting some audience expectations. Continuity within scenes is crucial for immersion and satisfaction, yet this aspect seems lacking at times. While the background music and elevations in certain scenes heighten anticipation, they can also lead to disappointment due to abrupt jump cuts in pivotal moments. Viewers desire to witness events unfolding seamlessly, even if they anticipate the outcome.

In essence, while the film's beauty is undeniable, it's imperative to address the need for continuity to fully engage and satisfy the audience.

On paper, the story of "Gaami" is impressive but when translated on to the screen, the impact is not the same. The newbie director, Vidyadhar does not allow his lead character, Shankar to connect with the audience. Never does the audience feel sympathy towards him or else feel sorry for him. By making his lead character a brooding and introvert, director does not allow the character to grow on the audience. Even with his sympathetic friends, Shankar behaves in a closed manner. There is no urge from Shankar to find a cure to his condition. He is forced to take the journey to Himalayas after he is thrown out of the Ashram. He does not own the journey and at all points of time, he tries to put a pause to his journey. With this handicap in the character graph, Director relied too much on the final twist in story to give an emotional high to the audience but by that time the final plot is revealed the audience is jaded and tired of watching the same scenes in a loop. The entire purpose of Shankar's journey is not understood. Also not understood is the existence of Jahnavi's character in the screenplay. She does not add any value to the proceedings. It is the track of the child Uma and her bonding with her mother which really gets the audience hooked to the story. I just wish the director thought of one scene where Shankar opens his heart and speaks with Jahnavi thereby connecting him to the audience. There are too many liberties taken by the director to take the story forward. He creates an impossible situation for the characters but does not show the way on how they overcome the situation. He does not allow the characters to make a bond with the audience with their tenacity and resolve when faced with adversity. That is where Gaami loses its plot.