Gaami

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.

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.

The movie has good intentions. It starts out to be a story about Shankar, an agora (played by a dozing Vishwa k Sen), going on a journey, seeking a cure for his condition which prevents him from experiencing human touch. He starts to get visions of a boy stuck in a depraved research facility that experiments with mind control through lobotomy; a woman, devadasi, being sexually exploited for money by some crooked temple chief; and a little girl who winds up to be the daughter of the devadasi. Those three storylines converge in a weird and bonkers twist.

One of the fatal flaws of this film is the headache-inducing pacing, and the bland, uninteresting characters. See, I love films as art, but films pretending to be art is not what I like. The pacing is all over the place, and the music blaring in every scene. It didn't sit well. But the cardinal sin is, I couldn't even care a least bit about the characters' journeys, because I couldn't even relate to them. I don't know them. I don't know where they come from, where they want to go, what they feel about things in their past. Things just happen and it all unfolds randomly. It's as if the writers ticked all the story beats, but failed to inject character life that defines them. It's plain bad writing.

It could've been forgiven if Shankar had a least bit of character arc. Nothing, he has nothing. Oh, wait, he has. His journey is to realize a lame twist of his life. Otherwise, he's just a blank slate who moves forward with the plot, when some random doctor chick (played competently by Chandni) joins this journey randomly, out for some research purpose, which turns out to be for her 3 year old daughter, and I couldn't understand. Vague as hell. Together, they go on a death-defying journey without any safety. No gloves in the snow, zero basic hiking equipment and safety, and random death defying falls which should kill you in an instant. And after the nonsensical hike, they reach some mushroom mountain. And then after some random scenes, Shankar gets a big revelation. His memory. That the parallel running storylines of a boy in research facility, and the daughter of the devadasi, are all connected to him. In what way, I won't tell you. See the kalakand om for yourself. One of the lamest twists I have in a while is this one. A twist with no substance, excitement, nor any credible thematic relevance.

There were glimpses of something interesting. Like the red herring of Shankar being the father of the little girl of the Devadasi. The possibility of him being the husband of that devadasi was really interesting. That was a potential character backstory I could've latched on to, but no. It's disposed of, all for a lame twist.

It's as if Donald Kaufman worked on a draft of this and called it day. All these Donald Kaufman twists in these wannabe cerebral movies are driving me crazy. I don't want to see another gimmick anymore. Just give me a visceral story, with a good backstory, motives and conflict.

And that's it. Technically, it's all right. The production design was top-notch, and the camerawork was really good. I could feel the frames illuminating with vibrancy, especially for an Indian film. But, I mean, compared to the norm of world-cinema, this is just another husk. The score was competent but overbearing throughout. There were no real moments where I could actually register what I was listening to, because it just felt like some regular epic-movie soundtrack you listen to on YouTube. Other than the teaser horn hook, the soundtrack felt like a blur. It's because the movie felt like a blur. Just like the titular Shankar not remembering his past, I don't think I'll remember this movie. Probably, only if a lame twist hits me on the mind after some mushrooms, and I remember this movie. After that, I'll probably die out of hyphae-boredom-phobia instead.

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.

Film Review: Gaami ( The Seeker) ... Telugu film streaming on Zee5!!

Gami is a different film with three stories running in parallel

• an amnesiac Aghora Sadhu ( Vishwak Sen) who suffers from a fear of human touch and embarks upon a perilous journey in the Himalayas to find a cure for his condition.

• a young boy who is turned into a lab rat and subjected to inhuman experiments in a remote medical facility.

• Uma , the young daughter of a Devdaasi Durga runs the risk of being made the Devadasi when her mother is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

What do these three stories have in common?

I would recommend this film only to people who like things "zara hatke" which is exactly what Gaami is all about. A non linear narrative, disjointed stories running in parallel along seemingly confusing storyline. If u r game for this kind of experimental stuff, then Gaami is the film for you.

Vishwak Sen gives a restrained performance, playing a person who suppresses his frustration & angst at not being able to find a cure for his debilitating condition. Others members of the cast too deliver their parts well. VFX, BGM & cinematography are good overall.

On the flip side .. the non linear narrative makes you wonder where exactly the film is heading & causing a bit frustration to creep in . The story too slows down intermittently which again doesn't work in its favour.

The end reveal, however is worth the wait & the film winds up well even though things could have been tightened up a bit !! Not bad either!!

A different kind of a film .. not for everyone!!

I'll go with 3/5 for this one .. Adios 🙂!!

#gaamireview #gaami #vishwaksen #sanjuzzreviews #ZEE5.