Vamshi in the film.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Niveditha Shivarajkumar’s maiden production ‘Fireflies’, directed by debutant Vamshi, is a slice-of-life comedy drama that follows the journey of Vicky (also played by Vamshi) after the death of his parents.
Vicky visits India after four years to attend his cousin's wedding. His parents come to the airport to pick him up. On their way home, their car meets with an accident and only Vicky survives. He is in a coma for three months. When he wakes up, he is in shock and denial.
Shot on a 4:3 aspect ratio, the film follows Vicky's seven stages of grief.
Vicky’s family wants to help him cope but he prefers a journey of self discovery. But in a way, all the characters Vicky meets — Neha (Rachna Inder) and Rajanna for example — play a role in his much anticipated journey.
Wes Anderson meets Michel Gondry in Vamshi’s ‘Firefly’, creating a whimsical world blending fantasy with the mundane — distinct colour palette, camera movements and symmetrical placement of characters. Charan Raj’s music adds charm to Vamshi’s eccentric world. ‘Helu helu neene jeeva’ is a personal favourite.
However these styles just remain styles and don’t add depth to the film’s narrative. The props don’t become characters in the film, whether it is the pastel-coloured balloons or the field full of glow lights.
A lot of thought seems to have gone into the design of the film but what it lacks is good writing.
With his coping mechanisms, Vicky tries really hard to look funny, weird and quirky. With a straight face, he is out to make you laugh, but his jokes don't land well. Yes, comedy is the most difficult genre, whether in cinema, theatre or literature.
Shivarajkumar’s two-minute cameo is amusing if you don’t think too hard about it.
A good attempt by a new team.