GGBB: Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya

A RELEVANT TALE OF GOOD VERSUS EVIL

STORY: Two musicians – Goopi (voice by Rajeev Raj) and Bagha (voice by Manish Bhavan) – are thrown out of their respective villages and when they meet in the forest, they significantly change the fate of two separate kingdoms through their music that was once considered torturous.

REVIEW: Set in a small hamlet – Shundi, ‘Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya’ tells the tale of an aspiring singer Goopi and a drum enthusiast Bagha and their chance encounter with a string of local ghosts. The two musicians manage to earn four boons that would not only change their individual fates, but also drastically transform the lives of the people of two distinctive kingdoms that are at loggerheads and just days away from waging a war.

The film, projected in the form of animation, imparts the lesson of how wars can be eluded through reasoning and peaceful dialogues, which eventually paves the path for gaining a fresh perspective on an age-old problem. The story also happens to centre around two parallel characters, Shundi King and Hundi King, who are twins, but they constantly fight over unresolved issues planted in their minds by external forces from within their very own units.

Used as a catalyst for dissuasion, the music of this animated drama is heart-wrenching and serves its purpose; the background score goes well with the theme (and parallel theme, too) of the film. The animation is a visual delight and so are the voices of the actors who have rendered relatable characters in the film. Clearly, this movie is targeted towards the younger audience, but it has many underlying thoughts and messages for grownups, too.

‘Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya’ is a metaphor for all those who are in conflict with their near and dear ones, or are at the threshold of declaring war over minuscule issues, which could otherwise be resolved in a dignified fashion. The film is actually a refreshing take on that subject, presented from the standpoint of two naïve, yet loveable musicians. The best part about the film is how relevant it is to our current scenario. Sure the ‘good over evil’ plotline has been done to death, especially in the animated movie genre, but this film by Shilpa Ranade, couldn’t have had better timing.

If only the world could look at life through the innocent eyes of Goopi and Bagha.