WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
So—it’s a new world out there. Most everyone has left the planet and, overall, what little remains down here on terra firma is plagued by flood, food shortages, desperation to get OFF of Earth, and basically a new ruling paradigm that might as well be akin to a military State. Oh, by the by–were the aliens mentioned? It is our beloved home world in the aftermath of WW III, specifically the State of Kerala in Southwest India, where a film documentary crew has scored a chance to interview former national hero Victor (Ganesh Kumar) in his isolated island lair along with the two primary “helpers” he keeps around, Allen (Gokul Suresh) and Vaibhav (Aju Varghese). Everyone’s sanity is already in question, but when an unexpected “guest” named Aliyamma (Anarkali Marikar) upends their lives, it turns into a jocular and quirky adventure none of them could have imagined.
Next, my Mind:
First off, to date, this critic had only been exposed to one example of a South Asian-based cinematic foray into science fiction, 2021’s indie feature “Rani Rani Rani“, which was a decidedly outside-the-box but dramatically adept endeavor that very much paid off, showcasing that the South Asian film community was choosing to further expand its ever-widening repertoire of genre projects. However, nothing had me prepared for witnessing this second journey into South Asian sci-fi–via a new COMEDY from writer/director Arun Chandu and writer Siva Sai that definitively and rather distinctly utilizes a combination of entertainingly slapstick, situational, satiric, and downright silly humor as its mediums while actually managing to carry amidst it all a kaleidoscope of societal and cultural messages that testify to contemporary issues as well as potential future ones that we could be heading towards—throwing in aliens while they’re at it! Impossible you say? Folks, just check this road into madness delivered here!
Over the course of its close to 2-hour runtime (very much an overall rarity in comedic efforts, but NOT in South Asian film mind you), the narrative presented takes us on a highly eclectic and deeply, wittily fun, absurd, and intentionally mocking voyage that sees a film crew looking to create a documentary about a national hero from the war, his unconventional lifestyle, and the two innocently charming buffoons he has about to maintain it all until a poor choice brings a new–visitor–into their circle that throws everything into chaos–but possibly order as well. It honestly sounds so erratic and/or disjointed on the surface, but the creative cleverness and legitimate simplicity of it paired with the undeniable uniqueness of South Asian comedic methodology not only melds the story together, but keeps you engaged throughout and experiencing chuckles and laughs consistently enough to also keep your attention for the film’s full runtime. There’s even action, drama, romance, and song play employed as well, which is yet another testament to just how artistically different South Asian storytelling is, managing to merge SO many varying elements into one story and still have it logically “fit” the greater whole and foundational premise.
Speaking OF the aforementioned artistic finesse, this amalgamation of elements is partnered with the also previously hinted-at exploration of a very large accumulation of thematic tangents delivered that cover a wide-ranging realm of broader topics including (but not remotely limited to!) social unrest, economic stresses, war and its aftermath, our treatment of the planet, other life in the universe, survival, future technology, AI, concepts of alternative fuels, foods, and vehicles, governmental overstepping/abuse of power, police corruption, and our human nature to act irrationally before thinking things through. THEN, there is a likewise heavy degree of more “personal” facets given due expression when it comes to love and how we often allow it to become a burden rather than the beautiful pursuit it truly is, loneliness, interracial (well, ok, here it might be more interspecies!) relationships, our need to be noticed, fulfilled, successful, and happy, emotional volatility, notions of how we so quickly judge things via mistaken perceptions and misconceptions, real heroism, forgiveness, letting go, cherishing memories, and–for crying out loud–to JUST…BE…YOURSELF!
It ALL there, people, I really mean it and that STILL doesn’t necessarily capture all the other nuances being portrayed. Visually the film mixes a standard narrative format with several quick animated sequences and documentary-style moments, while using both practical and decent special effects along the way. Music always makes its presence known in South Asian cinema, and to the multitude of manners in which it appears here, it befits the proceedings nicely. By the film’s finale, where reveals are finally made that put the insanity into total focus and we’re treated to an admittedly cathartic series of butt-kicking shenanigans, we come to the conclusion that you really cannot attempt to classify this film into any comedic category that tries to compare it to any other country’s efforts, because it just won’t fly. I’ve always seen the North’s “Houseful” series as a certain benchmark for India’s dives into comedy, but once again the South illustrates its own ability to manifest the smiles AND blend it with sci-fi in a manner COMPLETELY its own, to which I say “BRAVO!!”
Kumar is a total hoot to take in as the purposefully over-the-top, totally in love with himself, calmly and humorously authoritative character he plays via his role as Victor, a veteran commander of the War whose plans to move off world have been delayed, holing up in an island domicile with a built-in (plus very chatty and knowledgeable!) AI and two goofball “sidekicks” as companions and “servants”. As he tells the film crew about the exploits, both planetary and personal, he’s been through and is living as they’re creating the footage, things get dicey when one of his “underlings” somehow manages to bring home an initially undesired though quite comely guest who shakes up Victor’s home in more ways than one. It’s a performance that is provided with both a specific magnitude of “seriousness” along with the more evident wittiness that the story relies on, and I fully enjoyed Kumar’s treatment of the character.
Suresh likewise brings his charming, exuberant, and yet understated and lovable demeanor to the forefront through his role as Allen, one of Victor’s “minions” at the home and a totally affable guy whose battle for self-worth and an end to his loneliness is matched only by his dedication to his “master” while holding his geek flag high. Wishing to be more of a lady’s man, his luck with the opposite sex hasn’t been ideal, and so he buries himself in duty while just trying to live as “normal” an existence and stay out of trouble. It’s only when the home’s uninvited guest shows up that Allen’s world is turned upside down, sending him on a quest for the ultimate scenario he’s yearned for–love. It’s so affirming, adorable, and also, funny enough, realistic how this pursuit unfolds and speaks to the heart with compelling strength while also eliciting plenty of laughs as well, and how Suresh navigates his character through it all is simply fantastic and fun, heartening and heartbreaking, and so relatable on a myriad of levels, a credit to the actor’s skills.
Varghese gets to ham it up to the “Nth” measure and does so with such an apropos swagger and air of gleeful arrogance via his role as Vaibhav aka: “The Vibe”, a former social media influencer whose entire popularity and sense of purpose disappeared with the internet post-war. Now serving as Victor’s cook and still considering himself the ladies man, his presence around the home is both hilarious and sometimes overtly annoying. Like Allen, though, his dedication to his boss is unquestionable as a whole, while he also tries to be a voice of “reason” to Allen, whom he also tends to annoy. But, when Vaibhav becomes a catalyst for bringing a “rogue” element into the house, it creates an entire world of problems both funny and infuriating and what he ends up going through in the attempts to make it right again is an utter riot–paying a price for his folly more than once! It’s a wonderfully engaging role and executed with perfect comedic timing and talent.
Finally, we have the beautiful Marikar, who brings forth magnificent attractiveness in tandem with a light-heartedly (though at first VERY intensely!) fierce manner through her performance as Aliyamma, the unanticipated visitor to Victor’s home thanks to Vaibhav and who may not exactly “be from around here” in the slightest. As everyone else in the house is in a state of panic, uncertainty, and fear over what Aliyamma will do next (trust me, her initial appearance makes quite an impression!), she slowly begins to exercise her influence and control over the menfolk to varying degrees of intent, but mainly becomes infatuated with Allen who is kind to her and in turn seems beyond smitten with her. Yet, as she chooses to make the home a place of both guarded serenity and total mayhem, the way she ultimately reveals herself and her thoughts is so wonderful and necessary for the story, and the way in which Marikar guides the character through this is so intelligently, delightfully, enchantingly, and energetically conveyed by her.
Primary and additional supporting roles arrive through John Kaippallil, Anand B S, Anantharaman Ajay, Akshay, Dishu Antony, Sooraj Vijayan, Siva Sai, Vishnu, Ajith Kumar, Mallika Sukumaran (voice only), Abraham Evangeline Joseph (voice only), Paul, Ratheesh, Aleena, Riya, Rishaana, Sruthi, Vishnu, Anubabu, Vivek, Sooraj, Charles Yesudas, Swapna, Irene Raju, Saniya Raju, and Lithin K T. Kudos all, kudos!! So, in total, “Gaganachari” is a wryly whimsical, thoroughly diverting, unequivocally idiosyncratic study in South Asian independent cinema, proving comedy and sci-fi are alive in well in this industry, and which allows you to just take a load off, sit back, let yourself be swept away in the frisky zaniness of it all, and know without hesitation that sometimes it’s just nice to view something so aesthetically accessible, guffaw-inducing, and just plain agreeable. OH….and don’t forget to bring the cat food!!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
