Aachar & Co - My Review: A Beautifully Quaint and Charming Film.

My Review of the 2023 Kannada film by Sindhu Srineevasa Murthy, Aachar & Co.

Having heard about this film for the first time only a week or so ago, I ventured into this film with little to no prior knowledge or expectations revolving around it. So I can proudly assure you Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy's Aachar & Co is a delightful watch both in its storytelling and visual aesthetics. For those who are lovers of South Asian cinema and the Wes Anderson style of filmmaking, this is the film for you - and I seriously cannot understate this point!!

The film itself is simple in nature, telling the life of a Kannada family, the Aachars as they navigate life between embracing modernity and maintaining tradition with the story mainly told through the lens of Suma Aachar - the second oldest daughter of the family. The dialogues and performances between the cast alone are worthy of making a praise-worthy comment. The best way I could put it is natural. While simple (in the best way possible!) in the plot, the story never slows down in pace and therefore provides a film that is enticing throughout from start til end.

Visually the film is delicious, taking the viewer to a Bangalore steeped in saturated reds, greens, and pastels whilst set against the backdrop of the 1960s. The craft and care that has been put into this film can be attributed to the film’s success in taking the viewer down a lane of warm nostalgia. While the film takes centre focus on Suma for a large portion of the film, the rest of the family is given importance as well. Providing characters you can’t help but smile when you see them shine on screen. With a large cast that carries the film, there is one in particular who stands out and who I would call the very essence of this film (both onscreen and behind the camera, I’d say). That individual is Sindhu Seenivasa Murthy both as the film’s director and the central character that is Suma. Upon reflecting, I came to realise that Aachar & Co. is what it is because of Murthy. Not just her performance but her direction as well bring forth a charm to the screen - capturing the beauty and simplicity of life in this Kannada household.

I cannot emphasise the amount the credit that needs to be given to the team of Aachar & Co. Ranging from Murthy's direction, Abhimanyu Sadhanadhan's cinematography, Bindhumalini's composing, to each performance from the cast - everyone delivers.

I for one cannot wait to see what other stories Murthy has to offer in the future but in the meantime, I can confidently confirm that I will be revisiting this charming film on numerous occasions.