Gajaman, a Sri Lankan Political Satire for Audience of all Ages

Gajaman packs a punch with its 1 hour and 40 minutes with its comedy, satire, hilarious pun-on-lines and a completely localized yet cliched Bollywoodian plotline (as the grave voiced Chooty reminds the viewers not once but twice) which is catered to suit the contemporary local taste of all Sri Lankans.

This maiden three-dimensional (3D) animation film in Sri Lanka made a splash when the trailer of the ambitious project was announced back in 2018. Despite this, the film that was initially released this year has effectively captured the current momentum and the dear need of all Sri Lankans to see a precious product of our own country.

Based on the comic of the Cartoonist Camillus Perera, including the voice of the dearly departed veteran artist Sunil Perera who voices the role of the politician Magodisthuma, this film is indeed nostalgic in capturing the viewer’s emotions. Moreover, the attempts made by the director Chanaka Perera to incorporate cynicism towards the hypocrisies of the current socio-political context, with not only scenes and characters but also by incorporating the classic dialogues, noises and music that are forever etched into the memories of the Sri Lankan audience should definitely be appreciated.

I would say that it is indeed a film for viewers of all ages (though it is mostly the adult viewers who can truly understand the humour) and certainly worth the money paid.

Nelani De Costa
Lecturer,
Department of English and Linguistics