Movie Review: The World of Goopi and Bagha (Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya)

Based on Satyajit Ray’s film written by Upendra Kishore Roychowdury, The World of Goopi and Bagha (Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya) is an animation comedy musical directed by Shilpa Ranade that follows the tale of two musicians – Goopi the singer (Rajeev Raj) and Bagha the percussionist (Manish Bhawan). The film begins with them getting thrown out of their respective villages due to their horrendous musical renderings. After encountering an evil ghost who grants them four boons, the rest of the film follows their journey towards achieving musical harmony involving two rival brother kings, a sinister commander-in-chief and his sidekick wizard, and a princess’ hand to win in marriage.

The film has a very old school animation feel to it, with caricatured hand-drawn depictions of the characters. It communicates a universal message of peace and brotherhood that is very applicable in light of current political dynamics in the western part of the world. As in most kid-friendly animation flicks, the typical good versus evil trope appears, with Goopi and Bagha coming to the rescue with their music.

The highlight of this film is its dialogues and music. At its core, The World of Goopi and Bagha is a musical, with several songs interspersed to carry the plot forward. Narayan Parshuram’s music composition weaves different musical styles, including Indian classical and regional folk elements. The integration of Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu words in Rohit Gahlowt’s dialogues contributes to the all-inclusive view in which Indian society is portrayed in the film. The rib-tickling lyrics are charming and add even more lightness to the movie.

Final Verdict: Despite the corny jokes and some over-the-top silly moments, Goopi Gawaiya Bagha Bajaiya is an animation that is for both kids and adults. If you are familiar with Satyajit Ray’s original work, it is likely you will enjoy this adaptation even more. For a change, immerse yourself in art that is light-hearted, positive, and enjoyable!

Venue: 3rd i South Asian Film Festival (San Francisco, CA)