In the latest venture into the realm of Telugu cinema, Uday Bommisetty makes his directorial debut with “Gam Gam Ganesha,” a crime comedy that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Aimed at delivering easy laughs, the film strikes a balance between silly and occasionally smart humor, yet leaves the audience yearning for more. While the mishmash of quirky characters and unexpected plot twists might offer entertainment in portions, the overall narrative struggles to keep the audience thoroughly invested. The buddy-comedy dynamic between the lead actors Anand Deverakonda and Emmanuel finds more resonance than the romantic subplot, which falls flat in comparison.
Bommisetty tips his hat to classic Western films and swashbuckling adventures like “Pirates of the Caribbean.” This homage is evident from the very beginning, as an opening sequence complete with rousing riffs by Chaitan Bharadwaj plays out in the arid locales near Kurnool and Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh. This initial scene sets the tone with a mix of political rivalry and impending elections, highlighting the lengths to which people will go to amass a significant amount of liquid cash.
Enter Ganesh, played by Anand Deverakonda, a small-time thief whose aspirations are modest until love turns his world on its head. Along with his buddy, portrayed by Emmanuel, his petty thefts from local kirana stores yield minor rewards. However, Ganesh is determined to impress his girlfriend Shruti, played by Pragati Srivastava, leading him to seek faster and more substantial cash options. Concurrently, a scheming politician sets his sights on a hefty sum of ₹100 crore to secure his election prospects, and an heir to a jewelry store plots to steal a priceless diamond from his own father’s trove.
The narrative introduces a cavalcade of eccentric characters, adding more color – but not necessarily depth – to the story. Raj Arun’s character, a prisoner on a mission to redeem himself under the orders of a powerful politician, stands out as one of the many who are all too eager to make a quick buck.
. A village head and various other minor characters join the fray, each with their own convoluted reasons for wanting a slice of the lucrative pie. The plot takes an absurd twist with Vennela Kishore as ‘organ’ David, a dubious doctor who seeks to rob people of their organs, and an inebriated old man who boasts of teaching the famous actor Chiranjeevi how to dance.
One might expect such an ensemble cast and intersecting plotlines to create a symphony of hilarious outcomes, but “Gam Gam Ganesha” misses the mark. While there are amusing moments, the film never quite builds the tension necessary for the audience to root for any of the characters, making it hard for viewers to feel fully immersed in the drama unfolding on screen.
Anand Deverakonda’s portrayal of Ganesh, complete with spiked hair and a recurring tattoo joke, elicits a fair share of chuckles. His character’s emotional pendulum, swinging from heartache to humor, thanks in part to memories of Anand’s previous film “Baby,” succeeds in getting a response from the audience during these comedic overtones. Emmanuel and Vennela Kishore contribute significantly to these lighter moments, yet actors like Nayan Sarika and Satyam Rajesh are relegated to the sidelines with limited opportunities to shine.
“Gam Gam Ganesha” had the potential to emulate films like “Swamy Ra Ra,” delivering a crackling crime drama that fuses thrills with laughs, but it falls short, offering only a few scattered moments of humor. Despite its efforts, the film does not manage to fully engage with its audience, ultimately resulting in an experience that, while occasionally fun, is largely forgettable.
Nevertheless, the film presents a worthwhile attempt to blend genres and break away from traditional formulas, even if it doesn’t quite achieve its ambitious goals. As Uday Bommisetty’s first foray into directing, “Gam Gam Ganesha” serves as a stepping stone that offers insights and lessons for future endeavors. For now, it remains a light-hearted crime caper that entertains in sporadic bursts but lacks the cohesiveness required to truly captivate.
