GAGANACHARI MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Gokul Suresh, Aju Varghese Anarkali Marikar
Director: Arun Chandu
Gaganachari transports us to a goofy, dystopian Kerala of the 2040s. Semi-submerged (not that Kerala needs a reason to be underwater – it happens annually), this post-apocalyptic landscape is under alien occupation. Enter Victor, an eccentric, self-proclaimed “alien hunter”, and his two hapless housemates. The result? A satirical film brimming with self-referential humor and social commentary.
The film’s imaginative flair shines through its numerous nods to 80s and 90s Malayalam cinema. However, as someone who neither speaks Malayalam, nor has viewed much of their older films, I found myself missing out on many of these nostalgic references. The frequent bouts of laughter from half the Chennai theatre, met with silence from the rest, highlighted how much was lost in translation.
Set against the backdrop of an alien invasion in the 2030s, the story follows Victor Vasudevan, a former military officer living in a futuristic bunker with his roommates, Allen John Valamparambil and Vaibhav. The arrival of a documentary crew to chronicle Victor’s alien-fighting exploits sets the stage for an unexpected twist – an actual alien seeking refuge in their home.
What ensues is a zany buddy comedy with a sci-fi twist. The alien’s ability to speak (thanks to a device that gives her Mallika Sukumaran’s voice) adds another layer of humor. A budding romance between Allen and the alien further complicates matters, leading to a series of amusing situations and ultimately, a mission to help the alien return home.
Director Arun Chandhu crafts a convincing world through clever use of VFX and production design, maximizing the film’s smaller aspect ratio. The immersive environment is bolstered by topical jokes on surveillance states, moral policing, food scarcity, and climate change. Even the introduction of “geef” – a hideous lamb-dog meat substitute for beef – adds context and a chuckle.
The cast delivers solid performances. K.B. Ganesh Kumar brings charisma to Victor’s pompous yet likable character. Gokul Suresh and Aju Varghese share great comedic chemistry as the bickering sidekicks. Anarkali Marikar impresses as the mostly silent alien, relying on body language to communicate.
While the plot meanders at times, juggling various elements like a stew, it occasionally sidelines deeper exploration of its dystopian themes. The love story and comedic banter overshadow potentially richer commentary on authoritarianism and climate change. Despite these minor shortcomings and the language barrier, Gaganachari stands as a commendable showcase for homegrown sci-fi. It proves that with strong writing and pre-production, impactful genre films can be made without the budget of a Kalki. You’ll want to watch this one for its quirky world-building, decent laughs, and relevant themes.