Gaami Movie Review

Vishwak Sen is known for making different films and he is coming with yet another unconventional film. The actor started the movie Gaami almost seven years ago and it is finally out in theaters today. Vidhyadhar Kagita is the director of the film. The trailer looked intriguing with Vishwak’s Aghora look and the unique concept. Let us see how different is Gaami and what he seeks. Here is the review from the US premieres.

What Is It About?

Shankar (Vishwak Sen) gets pushed out of Aghora group believing he is a curse to them. Shankar has a rare condition where he gets pale, bloodless, and blackouts when any human touches him. He also gets flashes from the past which he does not remember a bit. He starts his journey to the Himalayas to find a medicine that cures his condition. Jahnavi (Chandini Chowdary) joins him on the risky path. What actually happened to Shankar and how did he get this condition? Gaami answers these questions.

Performances

Vishwak Sen will be seen in Aghora look throughout the movie. Unlike the active and happening Vishwak we have seen so far, the actor in Gaami speaks less and looks grim. Chandini Chowdary, Ramya Pasupuleti, Mohammad Samad, and others did fine in their respective roles.

Technicalities

Gaami is technically brilliant. The cinematography is top-notch. The visuals and frames, particularly during the Himayalas episodes are magnificent. Gaami has a new concept with a dull narrative. The background music is adequate. The screenplay gets bumpy at times, but the timeline transitions are compelling.

Thumbs Up

Concept
Cinematography
Visual effects

Thumbs Down

Slow narrative

Analysis

Young filmmakers in Telugu cinema are steering away from conventional filmmaking and are picking up different concepts and narratives. Despite the movie’s result, the concepts and attempts are getting appreciated. Gaami is one of them. A man who has lost everyone, and everything in life becomes a seeker for the remedy to his condition.

The concept of Gaami is exceptional. The non-linear narrative is executed well and the shot transitions between the stories are well-thought each time.

The movie itself starts at a slow pace and continues with two other stories coming in parallel. Each story is done with care that the viewers cannot make out the connecting thread, though it is well known that they are connected. The first half sets up the plot though in a rather dull narrative.

In the second half, the independent story of Shankar appears a bit dragged until the pre-climax due to the slow pace and similar scenes back and forth. The reason behind Jahnavi joining Shankar for a life-risking journey is not convincing or strong enough. Most of the scenes and sets appear to have been inspired by Hollywood’s slow-burn thrillers.

However, the actual revelation is totally unexpected and well executed. The director’s concept and the team’s effort to tell a unique story is laudable. The visual effects in a reasonable budget and wide captivating frames deserve special mention. The slow narrative is a setback. Vishwak Sen picking this rare concept at an early stage of his career is appreciable.

Overall, Gaami has a unique concept and intriguing non-linear storytelling. Though there is a slow-paced narrative, the visuals and music make up for it. Gaami gives a different experience altogether, but it might not entice the mass audiences that are usually Vishwak’s strength.

Bottom Line: Appealing, But At A Slow-pace

Rating: 2.75/5