What’s “Gaami” about?
At a secret lab located in the Himalayas, near the border of China and India, a rogue scientist attempts to conduct a covert experiment involving the manipulation of cognitive and emotional states. He conducts these actions on abducted females and males. A boy (Mohammad Samad) attempts to flee the confinement.
An aghora named Shankar (Vishwak Sen) is unaware of how and why he has been affected by a disease that renders him unable to feel any human touch. The inhabitants of the ashram banish him, and upon seeking guidance from a Swamiji, he discovers that he can find a remedy for his ailment by venturing deep into the Himalayas to obtain rare flowers that only bloom once every 36 years.
Upon discovering that the flowers will bloom again in 15 days, he sets out on a journey. A doctor Jahnavi (Chandini Chowdhary) joins him, as she has her own motivation for finding them.
Meanwhile, a devadasi advises her daughter to escape from the village in order to avoid following in her footsteps. Consequently, the young girl, named Uma (Harika Pedada), flees from the village. Will she truly achieve her desired freedom, or will she become ensnared in a different type of captivity? How are these stories interconnected?
Analysis
“Gaami,” co-written and directed by the new director Vidyadhar Kagita, revolves around the inward voyage that an individual undertakes. The literal interpretation of the title is ‘one who travels’. The film follows the daring expedition of Shankar, the main character – an emotionally and physically injured Aghora – as he embarks on a mission to discover a remedy for his extremely rare condition of being unable to feel any human touch. However, his fate becomes connected with two other people. The chosen title is appropriate for the story, although “Sparsha” (meaning touch) could also be a suitable option.
The film features three initially unrelated stories that run parallel to each other. The new director has ambitious ideas. He incorporates elements from Indian philosophy and spiritual texts to narrate the story (or stories).
The director captivates the audience by primarily focusing on Vishwak Sen’s character, providing insight into his illness and quest. The film’s captivating premise renders it highly engaging in its initial stages. While we find the parts about Devadasi and her daughter uninteresting, the presence of three separate storylines running concurrently compels us to pay attention and anticipate how these three narratives will intersect or connect with each other. The director has achieved success in that regard.
The director has grandiose concepts to portray the arduous journey of his protagonist as he traverses the formidable Himalayas amidst relentless snowstorms. The aspiration is lofty, yet the implementation is not impressive, partly due to the limitations imposed by the budget.
The scenes where hero Vishwak Sen and Chandini Chowdhary fall from a rope into the valley and the sudden appearance of a lion are incongruous with the overall theme of the film. Additionally, they have revealed the substandard quality of the visual effects. Furthermore, there is a comprehensive presence of logical issues.
Setting aside these issues, “Gaami” demonstrates a commendable ambition, with a unique and distinctive story and narration. The climax evokes memories of another highly acclaimed Telugu film that was released a few years ago.
Vishwak Sen portrays the character of Aghora quite well. He effectively portrays both the physical and emotional anguish. His efforts are noteworthy. Chandini Chowdhary has a limited presence in the film, but her performance is satisfactory. Mohammad Samad, as a prisoner in a CAT-cell, and Harika Pedada, who portrayed the character of Uma, have given commendable performances. Abhinaya is good in her role as a mother.
Out of all the technicians, the music director is the one who achieves significant success. The film greatly benefits from his exceptional background score. Although certain visuals, particularly in the opening scenes, are impressive, the remaining parts, particularly the visual effects, appear subpar.
Bottom line: “Gaami” offers a different experience, as its concept, storyline, and visuals deviate from the typical content found in Telugu cinema. A slow narration that may not captivate all audiences, but those with an inclination for unique stories will undoubtedly value the conscientious efforts.
Rating: 2.75/5
By Jalapathy Gudelli
Film: Gaami
Cast: Vishwak Sen, Chandini Chowdary, M G Abhinaya, Mohammad Samad, Harika Pedada, Dayanand Reddy, Shanthi Rao, and others
Screenplay: Vidyadhar Kagita, Pratyush Vatyam
Music: Naresh Kumaran
DOP: Vishwanath Reddy
Editor: Raghavendra Thirun
Production Designer: Pravalya Duddupudi
Action: Wing Chun Anji
Producer: Karthik Sabareesh
Directed by: Vidyadhar Kagita
Release Date: March 08, 2024
