Puneeth Rajkumar aka Appu is a household name because of his simplicity. Appu is now no longer a ‘mere actor’ to many as he has attained a demigod status, thanks to his work towards society. But, beyond that, Appu was also an inquisitive human and this aspect of his comes to light in Gandhada Gudi, where he takes us through the forests of Karnataka and shows us the rich diversity of the state. Appu, who always expressed his desire to be a common man and enjoy a simpler lifestyle than that of a star, seems to have lived that dream through Gandhada Gudi. Gandhada Gudi is not just a film, but an experience. Appu has presented all the beautiful experiences he had while shooting this documentary. He, along with the director Amoghavarsha, has introduced Karnataka’s forests in a unique way. The duo travel through the state, visit the late Dr Rajkumar’s birth place in Gajnur, many of Appu's favourite destinations, and even explore sea life. Mostly a narrative by Appu, the film explores Karnataka - the land, its culture and traditions, it's social issues and even it's forests, all through his curious eyes. The film is almost Appu's own journey of discovery as he understands the rich flora and fauna of the state. For instance, Appu talks about how life can be compared to water. He also travels like water through Gandhada Gudi. Be it sharing his first camping experience in the forest, or sharing a meal with the shepherds, or playing with the school kids by the Kali River, every frame narrates a story and Appu casts his magic over the audience just by being himself. Gandhada Gudi is a clear example that “a few experiences cannot be explained”. Gandhada Gudi is an incredible experience because of its unique narration and in spite of being presented in a new format of filmmaking, it brilliantly captures wonders of our forest and nature. Prateek Shetty’s frames are picturesque. Ajaneesh’s music is beautiful and kudos to Amoghavarsha for bringing this for the audience through the eyes of Appu.Read more

Gandhada Gudi is the last time we will see Puneeth Rajkumar on the big screen. The filming of this documentary feature began exactly a year before Puneeth’s untimely death at the age of 46. He passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021, and on the same day in the year 2020, he began his journey to explore Karnataka’s biodiversity. While we locked ourselves in our homes fearing a novel virus that turned our lives upside down, Puneeth broke free from restrictions and decided to realise his long-nurtured desire of spending time in the wilderness. If you think about it, it’s poetic. Despite the Covid-pandemic and the lockdown, Puneeth got to spend the last months of his life doing what he loved. In hindsight, Puneeth’s personal project, which is a grand version of a personal vlog, was a true blessing. Not everybody gets to exit life in such a beautiful way. The docudrama begins with Puneeth and well-known wildlife filmmaker Amoghavarsha JS cruising deep into Nagarhole National Park in an open jeep. Puneeth reflects a mélange of emotions as he journeys into the wild. He faces the jungle while maintaining a childlike smile. From sighting a tiger, a herd of elephants and a lone bear from a safe distance, to being just an arm’s length away from a Malabar pit viper and an 11-feet-long King Cobra, Puneeth’s experience in the jungle spans the entire spectrum. He also camps in the dense forests of the Western Ghats and gets spooked when he hears a hissing sound that follows him. “Amogh, what’s that sound?” asks a worried Puneeth. “I think it must be a snake. There are 70 varieties of snakes in this region,” Amogh replies, leaving Puneeth with mixed feelings. “I have three films to complete in Bengaluru and have children back home. I will safely get back to them, no?” he asks his guide only half in jest. In between his encounters with the wildlife, Puneeth also recalls his childhood memories, taking us to his father’s birthplace and recounting hitherto unheard personal stories, and glimpses of Dr Rajkumar from the family’s video archive. It’s an engaging, nostalgic ride. Cinematographer Pratheek Shetty’s camera sweeps across the rivers of the Western Ghats, measures the length and breadth of Jog Falls, different hues of blue under the ocean and captures the sprawling horizons of the forests in an immersive way. Amoghavarsha, who has also directed the film, has managed to find humour within certain circumstances, adding to the experience. Besides letting us in on his personal stories, Puneeth also slips in timely messages on protecting the environment and forests. Gandhada Gudi comes wrapped in a strong sense of nostalgia. As a matter of fact, all of Puneeth’s films carried this feature. Of all his siblings, he always seemed at the forefront when it came to owning the sprawling cinematic legacy of his father, the late movie-god, Dr Rajkumar. And not so surprisingly, when Puneeth wanted to explore the wilderness, he borrowed the title Gandhada Gudi from his father’s blockbuster canon. The title Gandhada Gudi, which means the shrine of sandalwood, holds a special place in Kannada pop culture, thanks to Rajkumar’s 1973 film of the same name. In the film, Rajkumar played the role of a forest officer, who puts the spotlight on the importance of fighting against poaching and conserving forest lands. And more than 50 years later, Puneeth re-emphasis the same principles while the majority of the world seems still indifferent to the effects of rapid climate change.Read more