The Arbit Documentation of an Amphibian Hunt: Aavasavyuham

This was...something unlike stuff I've watched from Malayalam cinema. I'd say it's unlike any other Indian movie, but if it's unlike anything else in Mollywood, it's surely the case with the rest of Indian cinema.

This is a mockumentary style, under-2-hour, film about...the (human) nature, but it's also a fantasy, and the society, and the ecosystem, and it's a revenge story...I don't know...anything more to help explain the plot will potentially spoil it for you. It's several genres into one, and while films that try to do a lot usually fall apart real fast, this one didn't and for that, it's been winning all sorts of awards for Best Film/Screenplay/Director this year, and it's counting.

It's one thing to have a unique way to tell a story but it's a whole new ballgame to make this into a movie bc not everybody may get it...? This, dunno....you've got to watch it to get what I mean. You're either gonna find the storytelling in this one to be fascinating or as a film, this might go way over your head. There's only one way to find out. If you've seen it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

Shot in a mockumentary style, this film is super unique. The existence of a unique human set in the backdrop of a very mundane and unspectacular vypin is so rooted in reality. The weaving in of social comemntary like overfishing, land encroachment, unemployment etc also worked well. Nicely told story and a great watch. So happy to see this sort of work coming out of Malayalam cinema.

Saw this at the IFFK screening where i went in with not knowing what to expect - and i got out of the theatre with a rare sense of joy.."what did i just witness!". An intricate storyline that has multiple visual styles. A realistic film studded with surrealist elements almost reminiscent of Donald Glover and Hiro Murai's acclaimed series Atlanta. A bold social commentary underlines the plot at every turn and it fails at none. Made in a semi-documentary style (similar to character interviews in the Office series) and thriller & comedic elements throughout the runtime made it an exciting watch. A bit sad that this isn't widely accessible outside the film festival circle and even then only screened at select few festivals- more people need to be able to watch this gem!

With the plethora of glitzy star-studded award shows prevalent in the Malayalam industry, one can forgive the Kerala State Awards jury for opting to reward smaller independent titles with the "Best Film" award in recent years, despite the presence of several hard-hitting mainstream projects. While 2020's "The Great Indian Kitchen" is the rare exception where an indie film got mainstream recognition and won the Best Film award as well, 2019's winner "Vasanthi" and now, 2021's awardee "Avasa Vyuham" are relatively unheralded, artsy ventures that deserve our attention, despite not getting theatre releases.

The Krishand R. K directorial follows a Rashomon-style narrative where we are taken through the life of a mysterious fisherman "Joy" through the perspective of the various people that knew him. Whether it be his original benefactor "Kochuraman" (MD Rajmohan), his ex-love interest "Lissy" (an excellent Nileen Sandra) or his arch-nemesis "Murali" (a hilarious Sreenath Babu), the accounts are put together with smart intercuts to paint a vivid portrayal of a man everyone agrees was quirky and weird, yet with a magnetic personality and a strange connection with the backwaters and its many creatures.

Rahul Rajagopal, most famous for his appearances in several "Karikku" videos, is captivating as the much-discussed "Joy", using his body language and expressive eyes to portray the complicated character with requisite gravitas and effectiveness. The intrepid filmmaker in Krishand throws convention to the wind, delving deep into multiple social, cultural and environmental issues and weaving them into the storyline at junctures you lease expect these themes to come in. The casting is spot on at every point, with Nikhil Prabhakar as "Plank", Ajayghosh as "Constable Valsan" and Zhins Shan as "Susheelan Vava" putting in impressive shifts alongside the primary characters mentioned earlier.

"Avasa Vyuham" is a strikingly original commentary on environmental conservation and the need for maintaining bio-diversity and an ecological balance, told with a unique narrative style that may not be immersive at all times, but is definitely contemplative and thought-provoking. Whether it deserved the Kerala State Award for Best Film ahead of 2021's mainstream masterpieces like "Joji", "Bhoothakaalam" and "Nayattu" however, is very arguable. Nevertheless, a recommended watch!

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With the plethora of glitzy star-studded award shows prevalent in the Malayalam industry, one can forgive the Kerala State Awards jury for opting to reward smaller independent titles with the "Best Film" award in recent years, despite the presence of several hard-hitting mainstream projects. While 2020's "The Great Indian Kitchen" is the rare exception where an indie film got mainstream recognition and won the Best Film award as well, 2019's winner "Vasanthi" and now, 2021's awardee "Avasa Vyuham" are relatively unheralded, artsy ventures that deserve our attention, despite not getting theatre releases.

The Krishand R. K directorial follows a Rashomon-style narrative where we are taken through the life of a mysterious fisherman "Joy" through the perspective of the various people that knew him. Whether it be his original benefactor "Kochuraman" (MD Rajmohan), his ex-love interest "Lissy" (an excellent Nileen Sandra) or his arch-nemesis "Murali" (a hilarious Sreenath Babu), the accounts are put together with smart intercuts to paint a vivid portrayal of a man everyone agrees was quirky and weird, yet with a magnetic personality and a strange connection with the backwaters and its many creatures.

Rahul Rajagopal, most famous for his appearances in several "Karikku" videos, is captivating as the much-discussed "Joy", using his body language and expressive eyes to portray the complicated character with requisite gravitas and effectiveness. The intrepid filmmaker in Krishand throws convention to the wind, delving deep into multiple social, cultural and environmental issues and weaving them into the storyline at junctures you lease expect these themes to come in. The casting is spot on at every point, with Nikhil Prabhakar as "Plank", Ajayghosh as "Constable Valsan" and Zhins Shan as "Susheelan Vava" putting in impressive shifts alongside the primary characters mentioned earlier.

"Avasa Vyuham" is a strikingly original commentary on environmental conservation and the need for maintaining bio-diversity and an ecological balance, told with a unique narrative style that may not be immersive at all times, but is definitely contemplative and thought-provoking. Whether it deserved the Kerala State Award for Best Film ahead of 2021's mainstream masterpieces like "Joji", "Bhoothakaalam" and "Nayattu" however, is very arguable. Nevertheless, a recommended watch!

This movie is a real gem. Cinematic experimentation at its best. On the lines of Super Deluxe, Jallikattu, Churuli. Pictured with great skill.

+ves: Director Krishand and everybody -ves: Not everybody's cup of tea.