Title: GST, Producer: Sandesh N Studio and Lokesh Productions, Story and Direction: Srujan Lokesh, Cinematography: Gundlupet Suresh, Music: Chandan Shetty, Cast: Srujan Lokesh, Rajani Bhardwaj, Girija Lokesh, Vinaya Prasad, Ashok, Shobraj, Tabla Nani, Sharath Lohitashwa, Sundar Veena, Veena Sunder, Girish Shivanna, Vishal Hegde, Aravind Rau, Vinod Gobbragala, Nivedita Gowda, Sukruth Srujan Lokesh, Samhita Vinya, Nishita Gowda, Rajath Kishan, Hanumanthe Gowda, Roopashree, Mahantesh Hiremath, Sreeharsha, Arun Ramadas, Ramya and others.
What is GST? It has nothing to do with the GST of the Union Government. It is a pure family entertainer. The team calls it Ghosts in Trouble or Go See Theaters! But the hard work and study of debutant director Srujan Lokesh to make every frame fresh and comedy-laced gives him the status of Glorious Srujan and the Sandesh Treat crown. Coming from a family of filmmakers, Srujan Lokesh opens up with his imaginary theory and goes leaps and bounds to keep the audience in constant laughter throughout the 145-minute duration of GST.
With ghosts coming to his rescue in the screenplay and narration—with no logic, only the magic of developments on screen—GST is without a doubt the best laugh riot currently running in theaters. It is a wholesome family entertainer.
The topics a director touches in his debut are always curiously observed. In that regard, there are more than half a dozen issues here that receive direct attention from the masses, fulfilling the needs of a commercial formula film. The first point—that money is essential for living—strikes throughout the film. With a very good star cast and technical team, Srujan Lokesh seems to have learned from his seven-year journey with Majaa Talkies that giving a strong dose of laughter works well and provides huge relief.
Considering his thoughts and how he forges ahead, the first half of GST feels “Paisa Vasool,” and the second half becomes a super bumper bonus for the audience. As you walk out of the theater, you may feel “Gedda Srujan Tanda,” then “Geluvina Soothra Tumbide,” and finally “Ghosts Success Tandithu!”
Lucky (Srujan Lokesh) is considered very unlucky by his father Lokanath (Ashok). A series of unfortunate incidents forces his father to ask him to leave the house and face death. After many setbacks, Lucky’s fate worsens when his mother Jayanthi (Vinaya Prasad), who accompanies him, also meets death just seconds later.
Lucky realizes he has only one option left—to commit suicide. As he tries to end his life, a philosopher predicts that Lord Shiva has different plans for him. Not believing it, Lucky makes futile attempts and finally lands in a burial ground.
At the burial ground, he encounters Shanthamma (Girija Lokesh), Prabhakara and his son (Tabla Nani and Sukruth Srujan Lokesh), Hanumanthu (Vinod Gobbragala), and Tanya (Nishita Gowda)—all ghosts who have not attained mukthi because they left life with unfulfilled wishes. Later, Ramesh (Aravind Rau) also joins this group of ghosts.
All the ghosts are visible only to Lucky and his friend Girish, and their journey begins. Lucky wants to fulfill the unfinished tasks of the ghosts, and in return, the ghosts are ready to help him with his goals. The idea of looting a bank surfaces, but Shanthamma and Prabhakar oppose it because the hard-earned money of the poor is kept there. At this point, Ramesh suggests a bank where only criminals store their money in safe lockers, as he once worked there. Prior to this the ghosts help Lucky to win his lover Nidhi (Rajani Bharadwaj) heart.
Looting corrupt money is approved by everyone. But as they enter the bank, a real gang of robbers led by Shobaraj barges in. Six more robbers join the chaos. The bank is locked from inside, and as the process of looting begins, the ghosts start creating havoc, leading to hilarious situations. When an employee presses the alarm button, the police also rush in—just as the black money is being packed into bags.
Now the situation becomes funnier, and the ghosts create further chaos under Lucky’s instructions. What follows is rib-tickling comedy with moments of high relief for Lucky and his team.
Srujan Lokesh, as a director, is a clear winner. As an actor, he is meticulous, and his comedy-filled dialogues uplift the film. Rajani Bharadwaj scores well as the female lead.
The group of senior actors—Tabla Nani, Girija Lokesh, Girish Shivanna, Shobaraj, Sharath Lohitashwa, Aravind Rau—along with debutants Sukruth Srujan Lokesh and Nishita Gowda, deliver wonderful performances and make this film a typical laugh riot. The dialogues are well written, the locations are apt, the costumes are fitting, and the editing is quick and sharp—giving the film a competitive edge.
Gundlupet Suresh offers extraordinary visuals, and with some special effects, the film looks bright and colorful. Chandan Shetty’s music suits the film well. The Chameli song is peppy, the duet song holds good standards, and the background score stays on top.
GST is a film worth watching for the entire family.