The Arbit Documentation of an Amphibian Hunt: Aavasavyuham

I sat down for Aavasavyuham with little to no idea on its plot, visual structure, or performers. But as the film progressed episodically, my interest levels peaked. Told in the style of a mockumentary (not seen before in Malayalam cinema), one finds it difficult to place Aavasyavyuham under a specific genre, simply because it dips its feet into so many, yet convincingly. It's a social satire, a science fiction, a crime drama with fantastical elements, and so much more - a true genre-bender. While the lessened budget proves to be its only undoing in certain scenes which could have left a greater impact, the makers still pull off something truly remarkable. I feel that's a major reason behind not releasing the film theatrically - its visuals, especially, would've been talked about a lot more. Rahul Rajagopal, whom I recall from Karikku is splendid in the lead role. Maybe, not everyone would enjoy the film's occasional dive into environmental conversation and preserving ecological balance, but I loved how director Krishand seamlessly incorporates this into the plot. Aavasavyuham is a must-watch!