Firefly review: A light-hearted Kannada film depicting complexities of depression

India Today

24-04-2025

Depression, a touchy topic of discussion in India to this day, remains a risky subject to make a film on. Films discussing mental health have long been mostly dedicated to the 'multiplex' audience and have seldom seen monetary success unless presented under the bracket of a commercial entertainer. Will the audience appreciate a film if depression is presented in a way that is quirky, light-hearted, and innovative? Kannada film 'Firefly' attempts that, succeeds and how!advertisementVivekananda (Vamshi) is returning home to India from the USA after being away for four years. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, leaving him in a coma for three months, costing him his job. Sinking into depression, Vivekananda – or Vicky, as his close ones call him – is unable to sleep at night, which leaves him extremely irritable. At the same time, he must deal with his extended family and friends, who possess all the required qualities to trigger him at any moment.Running around like a sleep-deprived ticking bomb, what shenanigans does Vicky get into? How deep is his depression? Can Vicky ever sleep peacefully? Is there something deeper hidden behind Vicky's problem? Where is the solution? The answers to these questions and more make up the plot of the film.advertisement
While the plot summary might make this film seem as simple as it gets, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. The most impressive part about 'Firefly' is its innovative blend of technicalities and creative writing that delivers a never-before-seen experience in Kannada cinema. Vamshi Krishna's vision of doing something out of the ordinary has certainly succeeded in this film.Vamshi Krishna, as a debutant director, shows great potential as a new-age filmmaker through 'Firefly'. His comfort with modern technology and affinity for a Western style of storytelling is evident. The director clearly seems to have taken inspiration from Hollywood filmmaker Wes Anderson and American musicals. Everything from the aspect ratio, to set designs, music and frame aesthetics in 'Firefly' evokes thoughts of 'The Grand Budapest Hotel', 'La La Land' and similar films.As the lead actor, Vamshi Krishna displays grit but doesn't do enough for it to lead to glory. There seems to be a lack of range in his acting chops, which could potentially disengage viewers – particularly those who watch films for performances rather than technical prowess. The film treats depression in a light-hearted manner, and while the actor communicates the character's pain well enough to understand, it's not quite enough to feel it.advertisement'Firefly', as a film, is an absolutely impressive attempt, but it has its fair share of flaws. With a runtime of only 2 hours and 13 minutes, the film should have felt crisp and to the point – but that is not the case. The film presents a layered version of the seven stages of grief. The first half, representing shock, denial, anger and bargaining, had good pacing, without many loose scenes. The second half, however – dealing with depression, testing and acceptance – felt longer than it actually is.The pacing in the second half, combined with a lack of comic relief to re-establish audience engagement, might be a drawback. With a strong performance from the leading actor and a screenplay that incorporated a little more comedy to appeal to mass pockets, this could have been the perfect entertainer across all age groups.The supporting cast – including Achyuth Kumar, Sudharani, Rachana Inder, Sheetal Shetty, Srivatsa, Moogu Suresh and others – have all done really well to adapt their performances to the quirky world created by Vamshi Krishna. Their work highlights Vicky's situation and brings out laughter, frustration, and relatability amongst viewers. Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has a very adorable cameo in the film, and for the five minutes he was on screen, his charm lights up the screen.advertisementCharan Raj, Abhilash Kalathi and Suresh Arumugam hit it out of the park with the music and background score, cinematography and editing respectively. A special shout-out goes to production designer Varadaraj Kamat, whose aesthetic set designs heighten the film's visual appeal. The beautiful blend of these technical departments makes this film an interesting watch for cinema enthusiasts. Producer Niveditha Shiva Rajkumar's support in fully realising Vamshi's vision is also evident.Overall, 'Firefly' is a successful attempt by a modern filmmaker to serve the audience with something beyond the ordinary. It also sheds light on a topic that remains taboo in areas beyond India's metro lines.'Firefly' is a Kannada film that is certainly worth a watch for its innovation and intent.3.5 out of 5 stars for 'Firefly'.