Gaami

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 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.

The story is laced with intriguing elements, and while there might be a handful of moments that don't fully hit the mark, the overall narrative is quite engaging. The screenplay demands your undivided attention and a keen mind to fully appreciate its depth, adding a layer of sophistication to the viewing experience. There are moments where the pace might seem leisurely, but these are more than made up for by the sheer visual spectacle on display. The film features breathtaking visuals, from exotic locales to state-of-the-art VFX, complemented by exceptional cinematography and impeccable color grading. The background music enhances the atmosphere significantly, and while the songs are decent, the outstanding sound quality elevates the auditory experience.

Vishwak Sen's dedication shines through in his performance; although it might not fully meet the demands of the role, his effort is commendable. The rest of the cast delivers with commendable zeal, contributing to a well-rounded ensemble. For those considering watching this film, it's best experienced in a theater that does justice to its superior sound and visual quality, ensuring the fullest appreciation of its technical excellence.

It's a really gutsy attempt from the makers to offer a unique experience to the Telugu audience, but that's all where it stops.

Apart from the adventure part, the movie has got two other subplots, which aren't really integrated well into the main plot. Being a medico myself, I predicted the story and the climax right at the beginning. Was waiting how director would execute that, but it was done so lazily. Also, the whole lab experiment seemed pointless, was dealt in the most half-baked manner. Also, the entire Himalayan voyage had so many cinematic liberties, done for the sake of plot convenience and progression.

Technically, the hardwork of all the crew is seen in every frame, superb job.

Director Vidhyadhar has done a decent job, but somewhere that killer punch was missing. Nevertheless, it was a good watch, but expected much more.

"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!