- Chetan Nadiger
Film: GST
Producer: Sandesh N
Director: Srujan Lokesh
Starring: Srujan Lokesh, Rajani Bhardwaj, Girija Lokesh, Vinaya Prasad, Ashok, Shobharaj, Tabla Nani, Sharath Lohitashwa, Sundar Veena, Veena Sunder, Girish Shivanna, Vishal Hegde, Aravind Rao, Vinod Gobbragala, Nivedita Gowda, Sukruth Srujan Lokesh and others
In spite of being in Sandalwood as an actor for the last two decades, Srujan Lokesh has been struggling hard to carve a niche out of himself. The actor who was last seen in ‘Selfie Mummy Google Daddy’ is back to silver screen after almost three years. This time, the actor is back at what he is best known for, comedy.
Though ‘GST’ means Goods and Services Tax in general, the film has nothing to do with the term and the film deals with the story of Ghosts in Trouble. GST is a horror comedy targeted to all sections of the society.
The film starts off with Lucky (Srujan Lokesh) who is very unlucky in his life trying to attempt suicide. Determined to end his misery, Lucky opts for many steps, but no matter what he did, he fails at every turn. Only to then realise that a bunch of friendly neighbourhood ghosts were keeping him alive for a very specific mission.
Here, Lucky can see a bunch of friendly ghosts (including Girija Lokesh, Sukruth, Tabla Nani, Niveditha Gowda, Vinod Gobbaragala and Aravind Rao), who for no reason are hell bent on keeping him alive, even though his presence has never come to any good earlier for anyone in his life. These souls need to wrap up unfinished businesses, so that they may finally transition to the afterlife. Lucky who hears their sober stories, decide give their souls the salvation they seek. For that he needs lot of money and for that money, Lucky along with the ghosts decide to rob a bank. What happens next forms the crux of the film.
A lot of horror films till now has only scared the audience. But ‘GST’ is a feel-good film, where in the living and the ghosts coexist and even like each other. The ghosts await their moment of liberation into the afterlife is at the crux of this horror comedy. Here the ghosts range from a small child to an elderly woman. Likewise, the film is targeted to all sections of the society, rather than audience who like horror films.
‘GST’ is a no logic, full magic film with a few nice moments tucked in it. The issue with the film is not just with the lack of logic or the backstories of the ghosts. It’s in the presentation of the humour too. The entire film is similar to that of ‘Maja Talkies’ presented by Srujan Lokesh for Colors Kannada. Likewise, the film has many skits and lots of actors. The gags have lots of punchlines aimed to entertain the audience. The film is good at times and sometimes very silly. The film is very lagging at times. Srujan could have easily trimmed off many sequences including a song, which prolongs the film further. Srujan has decided to make the audience laugh at any cost and in this mission, has tried to bring in the best of talent, particularly from the small screen.
Srujan takes a huge responsibility of the film including acting, writing, direction and production. He shines in the first part of the responsibility. Ranjani Bharadwaj is in the film for the sole purpose of glamour and nothing else. Giri Shivanna as the hero’s friend shines. Supporting actors including Girija Lokesh, Sharath Lohitashwa, Tabla Nani, Niveditha Gowda, Shobharaj, Vinod Gobaragala, Ravishankar Gowda, Sukruth and others have done their bit. Chandan Shetty’s music and Gundlupete Suresh’s cinematography has nothing to boast in particular. The art work, particularly the set work of the crematorium is very tacky.
Srujan Lokesh has a devoted fan following in the small screen. If his fan following comes out to theaters to watch the film, the film is nothing shorter than of a hit. But will that really happen? Is the question to be answered in the coming days.
