It is no secret that Indian cinema has not experimented with the idea of creating sci-fi movies. Though one may point out 'Koi... Mil Gaya', Suriya's '24', or even the upcoming Prabhas movie 'Kalki' as exemptions to this. However, the whole concept of aliens and a dystopian Earth seems far too much of a gamble financially for many filmmakers. 

But for director Arun Chandu, whose earlier works were Sayanna Varthakal (2022) and Sajan Bakery, Since 1962 (2021), the gamble has been worth it. His upcoming film 'Gaganachari' is marketed as India's first sci-fi mockumentary that delves into the concept of aliens and the dystopian future of Kerala in 2040, with Aju Varghese, Gokul Suresh, Anarkali Marikar, and Ganesh Kumar in lead roles. 

During an interview with Mathrubhumi.com, Arun Chandu highlighted Mammootty's legendary film 'Manu Uncle' as a source of inspiration for creating his own mockumentary science fiction movie.

When can we expect the film to be released in theatres?

The talks are ongoing. After we screened the movie at Lulu PVR in Kochi as part of Kerala Pop Con, we received positive responses from the audience. Following this, we all became excited to release the film in theatres. We expect to release the film in theatres soon. 

The film did well at international film festivals. Does it have to do with the genre of the movie?

The film falls into the mockumentary genre. It is not a popular genre in India. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many filmmakers have explored the genre. The inspiration behind 'Gaganachari' is Taika Waititi's 'What We Do in the Shadows'. It is a genre that gives so much importance to humour. 

We decided to showcase the film to an international audience due to its popularity beyond India, particularly among genre enthusiasts. Our strategy involved submitting the film to various film festivals, focusing on genre-specific events. The feedback we received sheds light on the film's true potential. With its slightly political theme centred around the dystopian life in Kerala, the audience's reaction provided valuable insights into many aspects of South Asian films. This experience highlighted the untapped market potential that could be explored with further outreach efforts.

Have you felt the risk of experimenting with the sci-fi genre in Malayalam?

I never thought about it as a risk due to being an out-and-out sci-fi fan. If you have been a fan of the sci-fi genre since childhood, you have drawn inspiration from the movies and series that came before you. Today we have an audience in India who watch movies like 'Avengers' and 'Dune' and later go on to watch vintage movies falling under the same genre. Therefore, we have the right audience to show the film.

How did the 1988 movie 'Manu Uncle' inspire you?

We announced the movie 'Gaganachari' by showing a snippet from 'Manu Uncle'. To me, it is one of the best movies in Malayalam. It is hard to believe that Dennis Joseph delivered such a movie in 1988 with such an ensemble cast. The scene of the protagonist, played by Mammootty, mistaking a cockroach for an extraterrestrial being is one of the most hilarious scenes in the movie. We used this scene in our film's announcement video. From the response we received, it became apparent that there are a lot of people out there who are interested in such a genre and topic. 

How did you come up with a story for the movie?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I collaborated with writer Siva Sai to pen a script for a film, drawing inspiration from the likes of Rick and Morty—an American adult animated science fiction sitcom. Similar to the protagonist in the sitcom, the central character in my story was a scientist plagued by alcoholism. This was 'Maniyan Chittapan' (Maniyan Uncle). Aju Varghese, who was with us during the period, asked us to go ahead with the project.

However, upon completing the script, we realised that the scope of the movie was much larger than anticipated. It simply wasn't feasible to undertake such a project at that time. Consequently, Aju proposed that we develop a small-scale movie. And thus, the concept of 'Gaganachari' was born. We attempted to create a film utilising whatever resources were available to us, rather than relying on sophisticated cameras and equipment. Fortunately, CGI played a significant role in bringing our movie to life.

Working with Gokul Suresh and Anarkali Marikar?

Gokul and I share a common interest in the sci-fi genre, making it effortless for me to approach him and discuss ideas. Given his penchant for such movies, he easily grasped the story plot and the essence of the film. 

In the movie, Anarkali portrays the role of an alien. When casting for this character, we sought someone who exudes boldness in real life. Once I narrated the story to her, she delivered a remarkable performance, adding something extra to the character. Following the film's screening in Kochi, many people praised Gokul and Anarkali's performances, stressing the exceptional chemistry between the two.

Ganesh Kumar shines in a new role in the film, marking a return to comedy roles. How does he become a part of the movie?

We worked at the Saajan Bakery. Therefore, it came as no surprise that Ganesh Sir had a part in 'Gaganachari'. Ganeshettan is an individual who has a keen interest in technology, modern vehicles, vintage toys, and other subjects that closely resonate with my interests. He possesses a wealth of knowledge about the genre and grasps the movie's scope swiftly. It was wonderful to see him play a comedic role after such a long period. His comedic performances in films like Manichitrathazhu are unforgettable. I hope that more filmmakers experiment with the comedic side of Ganesh Kumar. 

There was also this unique bond between Ganesh Kumar's and Gokul Suresh's characters in the movie. Since Ganeshettan had worked with Gokul Suresh's father, Suresh Gopi, it was no surprise that there was a special bond between them. 

Will Suresh Gopi be involved in your upcoming project, 'Maniyan Chittapan'? 

I discussed the project with him. Due to his involvement in the election, he had consented to proceed with additional discussions after the polls. I would describe the film as a fusion of 'Manu Uncle' and 'Rick & Morty'. It will be a large-scale project. Gokul will also be part of the film. I hope his father will also be part of the movie.