GAAMI – REVIEW
Cast: Vishwak Sen, Chandini Chowdary, Abhinaya, Harika Pedda, Mohammad Samad
Director: Vidyadhar Kagita
Gaami is a bold and ambitious film. Director Vidyadhar Kagita tries to tell a unique story that blends human struggle, spirituality, and personal identity – it’s a lot to tackle! Unfortunately, the way the story comes together isn’t perfect, and it leaves you wondering about plot holes and feeling like things jump around a bit too much.
Vishwak Sen completely commits to his role as Shankar, a troubled Aghora who is intensely afraid of being touched. Sen’s anguished performance is really captivating. We follow Shankar on a mystical quest for a cure, deep into the Himalayas. He’s joined by Chandini Chowdary who plays Dr. Jahnavi, a character with her own secrets.
The cinematography in those Himalayan scenes is impressive. You can tell the crew really worked hard to get those shots. There are a few moments when the special effects seem a little rough, which pops you out of the experience.
Along with Shankar’s story, we also follow two other plotlines that definitely add to the stakes and make things more emotional. Abhinaya’s portrayal of Durga, a mother desperate to give her daughter a better life, is really affecting. And Mohammed Samad’s performance as CT-333, a tormented prisoner, is a painful (but important) reminder of the terrible things people can do to each other.
While there’s a lot to appreciate in Gaami, especially how it tries to be different from your typical Telugu film, it feels like the editing could have been tighter. The way the three storylines mix together sometimes gets confusing. The big questions the film raises about life and spirituality are interesting, but don’t always get enough exploration to feel satisfying.
There are definitely moments where the plot requires you to just go along with pretty unbelievable coincidences. The film’s ending, though powerful, hastily stitches together despite its 2 hours and 30 minutes length.
Overall, Gaami shows that Vidyadhar Kagita is a director to keep an eye on, even though this first film doesn’t quite hit the mark. The visuals and music are impressive. But, it’ll be that unique storytelling that might stick with you after the credits, even with its flaws. It’s the kind of movie that takes some thinking about afterward, and it might not be for everyone – especially those looking for a typical, light-hearted experience.