Often when attempting something truly unconventional, the execution of the concept can become overly far-fetched and ultimately flop. What’s most impressive about Arun Chandu’s post-apocalyptic mockumentary Gaganachari is its desire to convey satire rather than exalt itself. From a witty and quirky script to a very smart production with limited resources, beyond the flawlessness, you’ll want to applaud the conviction they had in bringing this crazy idea to life.
We are taken to a dystopian future in Kerala where everything has been destroyed and the Earth itself has become uninhabitable. The protagonists are Victor Vasudevan, an ex-military man who took part in the fight against the first wave of aliens, and his aides Alan and Vaibhav. Thanks to Victor’s military background, they get lenient treatment from the authorities. In the film Gaganachari, we witness a series of events that unfold in the lives of these three when aliens come to their bunker.
A high concept film does not necessarily mean a high budget film. All you need is a solid idea on paper and with the accessible and affordable tools available in the market, you can actually make something exciting if you have the creative juices. In a way, Gaganachari is a great example of how to turn limitations into opportunities. They use smaller aspect ratios, freestyle shooting, limited space, colours, fashion choices etc to carry the story into the future. And, after all, this is a mockumentary and subconsciously, we are not looking for super perfection. After a certain point, we focus more on the satirical aspects of the script and when contemporary political and cinematic references appear in the future, it simply enhances the fun factor of the story.
Acting-wise, the bulk of the screen time belongs to KB Ganesh Kumar, who handles the humour very smoothly. His dialogue flow as a self-proclaimed achiever is really entertaining. Aju Varghese as Vaibhav is really in his zone and his style works well as the character is in that comical space. Gokul Suresh upped the comedy pitch. It felt a bit odd at first but as the story progressed and we got to know Alan, the exaggerated comical expressions made sense. Anarkali Mallickal plays the role of a silent alien and her gaze was enough to generate humour in the scene and her posture was a bit funny too. A special mention goes to Raghavan.
Saajan Bakery Since 1962 and Sayanna Varthakkal are Arun Chandu’s previous films. While these films have flashes of craftsmanship, some, like Saajan Bakery, have been very eccentric in their attempt to cover up weaker scripts, such as the frequent breaking of the fourth wall. Here, the way the story moves from one scene to another gives the impression that the script is well-written. The challenge was rather to immerse the audience in the mockumentary space. However, through the opening set of dialogues and character descriptions, as well as the first-person camera angles, the film establishes a quirky and absurd setting. And there is a constant stream of funny dialogues, with satirical overtones. The quality of some elements, such as the entrance and the dilapidated versions of existing structures, is truly top-notch.
Gaganachari is a satire set in a dystopian future, so the emphasis is on humour. But by delivering stunning visuals and using cinematic techniques to hide its limitations, Arun Chandu and co-writer Siva Sai have crafted a film that will delight moviegoers with its courage and conviction. If you like the quirky, this is definitely a film you’ll remember.
Final thoughts
Rather than being perfect, you’ll want to applaud the conviction that went into making this crazy idea a reality.
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