Though India has done very well by harnessing the space technology for national development, the concept of space drama is still alien to the Indian cinema. When we see a Hollywood sci-fi films, we always observe aliens, wormholes or spaceship wars but Arati Kadav's Cargo is much more than that.
Cargo (parcel addressed as deceased body in the film) tells the story of re-incarnation program launched by a Inter-Planetary Space Organisation (IPSO) company where 'rakshasa' called Prahastha (Vikrant Massey) performs a rebirth of recently deceased people through PDTS (Post Death Transition Services) in one of their spaceships Pushpak 634-A. As Prahastha feels burdened by hectic job, the company sends him a young and energetic Yuvishka (Shweta Tripathi).
If you have seen Sam Rockwell's sci-fi Hollywood drama, Moon (2009), you will be able to relate to Cargo where the protagonist lives a space life in isolation. As we begin our space journey in Arati Kadav's Cargo, we are introduced to the concept of Yamraaj, the God of death according to Hindu mythology and how this concept is translated into idea and finally into a space company IPSO which have expanded with their fleet of spaceships. We are also seeing the isolated life of Prahastha who diligently performs his duty and yet frustrated and unsatisfied. As Yuvishka enters as his assistant, Cargo gets more interesting as Yuvishka brings her own style and superpower (every space attendant has a superpower).
While first half is interesting as we see innumerable and funny scenes with deceased people being transitioned into a new life, the second half drags until the final days of Prahastha in the spaceship. Though am missing watching movies in theaters, am liking the genuine concept and innovative story line of Indian films on OTT. Last week, Malayalam film C U Soon and now Cargo shows the changing trend of Indian Cinema. While Bollywood films have attempted sci-fi genre like Koi..Mil Gaya (remake of E.T) and Mission Mangal, Cargo is probably the first attempt that deep-dives into a individua life in a spaceship. Hats off to the writer and director Arati Kadav for trying out something new which is thought provoking, touching on the issues of ethics, human identity and compassion.
Having said that Cargo does have it share of flaws as well. How a deceased person is able to interact with Prahastha and Yuvishka and how are they transitioned into a rebirth have not been explained. Though the idea of reincarnation is good, execution part fails in the film as the space drama slows down the momentum it builds in the initial reel due to poor editing. Nevertheless, technically Cargo is a treat to watch with fantastic art direction and beautiful cinematography as you get to experience the life inside a spaceship. Background score gels well with the film.
Cargo belongs to both Vikrant Massey and Shweta Tripathi for wonderful acting. Vikrant Massey impresses with his natural performance as he transforms from no-nonsense strict character into a more fun loving colleague. Shweta Triptahi brings in more energy with her spontaneity. I liked Nandu Madhav and Biswapati Sarkar in their respective parts as well.
Overall, Cargo should be applauded for its innovative and unique concept which has never been attempted by Bollywood folks. The film might be a trend setter for the future space drama in Bollywood. Go for it 3/5
Cargo (parcel addressed as deceased body in the film) tells the story of re-incarnation program launched by a Inter-Planetary Space Organisation (IPSO) company where 'rakshasa' called Prahastha (Vikrant Massey) performs a rebirth of recently deceased people through PDTS (Post Death Transition Services) in one of their spaceships Pushpak 634-A. As Prahastha feels burdened by hectic job, the company sends him a young and energetic Yuvishka (Shweta Tripathi).
If you have seen Sam Rockwell's sci-fi Hollywood drama, Moon (2009), you will be able to relate to Cargo where the protagonist lives a space life in isolation. As we begin our space journey in Arati Kadav's Cargo, we are introduced to the concept of Yamraaj, the God of death according to Hindu mythology and how this concept is translated into idea and finally into a space company IPSO which have expanded with their fleet of spaceships. We are also seeing the isolated life of Prahastha who diligently performs his duty and yet frustrated and unsatisfied. As Yuvishka enters as his assistant, Cargo gets more interesting as Yuvishka brings her own style and superpower (every space attendant has a superpower).
While first half is interesting as we see innumerable and funny scenes with deceased people being transitioned into a new life, the second half drags until the final days of Prahastha in the spaceship. Though am missing watching movies in theaters, am liking the genuine concept and innovative story line of Indian films on OTT. Last week, Malayalam film C U Soon and now Cargo shows the changing trend of Indian Cinema. While Bollywood films have attempted sci-fi genre like Koi..Mil Gaya (remake of E.T) and Mission Mangal, Cargo is probably the first attempt that deep-dives into a individua life in a spaceship. Hats off to the writer and director Arati Kadav for trying out something new which is thought provoking, touching on the issues of ethics, human identity and compassion.
Having said that Cargo does have it share of flaws as well. How a deceased person is able to interact with Prahastha and Yuvishka and how are they transitioned into a rebirth have not been explained. Though the idea of reincarnation is good, execution part fails in the film as the space drama slows down the momentum it builds in the initial reel due to poor editing. Nevertheless, technically Cargo is a treat to watch with fantastic art direction and beautiful cinematography as you get to experience the life inside a spaceship. Background score gels well with the film.
Cargo belongs to both Vikrant Massey and Shweta Tripathi for wonderful acting. Vikrant Massey impresses with his natural performance as he transforms from no-nonsense strict character into a more fun loving colleague. Shweta Triptahi brings in more energy with her spontaneity. I liked Nandu Madhav and Biswapati Sarkar in their respective parts as well.
Overall, Cargo should be applauded for its innovative and unique concept which has never been attempted by Bollywood folks. The film might be a trend setter for the future space drama in Bollywood. Go for it 3/5