Gajalu Works

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Movie: Gajalu

Director/ Writer: Hemraj BC

Actors: Anmol KC, Shristi Shrestha, Menuka Pradhan, Salon Basnet, Gaurav Pahari, Ritik Shahi and Gauri Malla, Krishna Malla, etc.

In My Eyes:  3/5

Gajalu is a rom-com that primarily focuses on the relation between an ex-Kumari and a guy helping her to live an independent normal life rather than succumbing to the cultural pressures of being Kumari, which is the main highlight of this movie.

Good things first, Gajalu turns out to be one decent movie with a good presentation of pretty average story. The flow is smooth and the movie, overall, is entertaining. This is director Hemraj BC’s best work till date. The little sibling chemistry between Anmol KC and Menuka Pradhan’s characters is sweet and seems realistic.

There is plenty of feel-good kind of stuff in rather usual plots involving a bunch of fun-loving youngsters and it entertains well, thanks to the Salon Banset’s character. But at times, it does come across as a bit forcedly input and flat. The subplot involving Menuka Pradhan and Gaurav Pahari is a nice one too.

Another sound aspect is of course, to bring out the topic of Kumari culture on screen. How a Kumari girl, when comes out of Kumari ghar, has to struggle to live a normal daily life due to the societal ,cultural and religious pressures is shown in the movie. Her transition from a shy nervous girl to independent working girl is impressive. It is nice, yes, but it could have been better. There should have been more details and development in the related characters (Kumari and her family, for instance) about that particular context for it could have added more value as per the content of a film.

It is also, not void of loopholes. There seems to be the lack of strong development in characters’ background, which in some way, restricts them to rise beyond the certain level. The supporting characters need more growth rather than just the comic relief. The tension between Shristi’s character and her father could have been developed more deeply. The climax portions seem rather cheesy and less-intense.

Also, the runtime could have been shortened much. Although the pace is apt, movie seems to be unnecessarily dragged at more than one place.

Coming to performances, Salon Basnet and Menuka Pradhan stand in front. While Basnet dons his comical role with aplomb, looking every bit natural, Pradhan aptly delivers it all - be it light situations or the emotional ones. Shristi Shrestha as Kumari has done quite an impressive job, being a debut after all. Her role required her to get shy, talk slowly and not smoothly, try to maintain body pose and all that, and she has donned it well. Anmol KC has improved himself in acting; this is his best work till date.  Gaurav Pahari, Ritik Shahi and Gauri Malla, in her slightly grey shade, are good in their respective roles. Rest of the cast is okay.

Final Say:

Gajalu is one decent movie, and it works due to well-handled presentation and its entertaining value besides its average writing. And of course, the Kumari content needed to be more than that there is.