Gaganachari's state award win was a complete surprise, says director Arun Chandu

Gaganachari, an experimental science fiction satirical mockumentary, recently won the Special Jury Award in the 2024 Kerala State Film Awards. Directed by Arun Chandu and featuring Gokul Suresh, K B Ganesh Kumar, Anarkali Marikar, and Aju Varghese in lead roles, the film was well-received by audiences upon its release. In a candid conversation with Onmanorama, director Arun Chandu expressed his joy over the film's win.

How does it feel to receive this honour for Gaganachari?
The feeling is surreal because I'm still processing the news. We anticipated that Gaganachari might receive an award for its CGI, so we were hoping for a recognition in the technical category. The Special Jury Award was a complete surprise. Since the film’s release, we’ve received tremendous support from the youth, who have really connected with the movie. They’ve reached out to me, expressing their belief that experimental films like ours have a future in the Malayalam industry. It’s not just the crew and me who are celebrating this win—many young people and other film-goers are also rejoicing with us.

What was your first reaction when you learned about the movie's win?
My initial reaction was one of disbelief. I was at a relative's house when I received a call from the media asking for my thoughts on the award. I was taken aback and asked, "Which award?" because I hadn’t heard about it at all. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting any awards. Typically, when film awards are announced, people like me are more focused on who won—whether it's Mohanlal or someone else. So, this recognition came as a complete surprise. I truly have to thank my producers for making this possible and turning my dreams into reality. It takes real courage to invest in a project like this.

What inspired you to blend a regional narrative with a theme often seen in Western cinema in Gaganachari?
This is a subject that isn’t entirely familiar to the audience. For any cinema to resonate, it needs to have regional content that people can relate to. During promotions, we emphasised that this movie isn't everyone's cup of tea and advised viewers not to expect the usual humour. That's how we positioned Gaganachari. What happened was that people who appreciate different kinds of films came to see it and instantly connected with it. It was like when kids or fans of Marvel movies came to watch Gaganachari, they brought their parents along, and surprisingly, they all enjoyed it.

One of the main reasons I was inspired to create Gaganachari was my interest in working on a sci-fi project. Sci-fi films are typically large-scale productions, but I wanted to avoid placing a heavy burden on my producers or compromising the creative vision.

The film's satirical, mockumentary style is a bold choice. What challenges did you face in balancing the humour with the story's serious undertones?
The main challenge was finding the right balance between addressing political aspects and incorporating humour. We faced some minor roadblocks, such as having to edit out certain references to beef and parts of the lip-lock scene between Anarkali and Gokul. However, I was certain that this was a story that could only be told within the context of Kerala.

Do you feel an added pressure or responsibility following the movie's state award win?
This is a personal matter for me because, as an introvert, I often struggle with how to respond to all this attention. Some people call to congratulate me, while others reach out looking for opportunities. The reactions vary greatly. Once, a random stranger called and spoke very rudely, and I've even received prank calls. However, on the positive side, prominent figures from the film industry have also reached out to congratulate me, including Anwar Rasheed.

How did the cast react to the movie's state award win?
The cast was just as surprised as I was. Whether it was Gokul or Anarkali, we were all genuinely shocked. This win was completely unexpected for our entire team. The film's reach has been incredible, and to have our movie recognized at a time when Malayalam cinema is thriving globally is nothing short of a major achievement.

With Gaganachari winning this prestigious award, what’s next for you as a director? Will you continue exploring similar genres, or are you considering something entirely different?
If you look at my body of work, it’s clear that I avoid repeating genres. I have a passion for sci-fi, and this film has helped me connect with a niche audience. Many young people have reached out to me about it. I plan to build on this success and take on projects with a similar regional setting that remain relatable to the audience.