Aachar & Co
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Aachar & Co
| image = Aachar_&_Co_Poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Poster
| native_name =
| director = Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy
| writer = {{unbulleted list|Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy|Kanan Gill|Trilok (dialogues)}}
| screenplay =
| story =
| based_on =
| producer = {{unbulleted list|Ashwini Puneeth Rajkumar|Gurudath A Talwar}}
| starring = {{unbulleted list|Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy|Vamsidhar Bhogaraju|Harshil Koushik|Anirudh Acharya|Jagadishwar Sukumar}}
| narrator =
| cinematography = Abhimanyu Sadanandan
| editing = Ashik Kusugolli
| music = Bindhumalini
| studio = PRK Productions
| distributor = KRG Studios
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2023|7|28}}
| runtime = 103 minutes
| country = India
| language = Kannada
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Aachar & Co{{Efn|Aachar (variant of Acharya, Achari, etc.) is a name suffix used by Kannada Brahmins, in this case applied to the character played by Ashok. As a pun, in Hindi it also means pickle. Aachar & Co refers to Aachar's family.}} is a 2023 Indian Kannada-language coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy and starring herself, Vamsidhar Bhogaraju, Harshil Koushik, Anirudh Acharya and Jagadishwar Sukumar. The movie marked the directorial debut of Sindhu.{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-07-27 |title=I was chosen on merit, not based on gender: Director Sindhu |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/Jul/27/i-was-chosen-on-merit-not-basedon-gender-director-sindhu-2598888.html |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}} The movie had mostly women technicians, which is a rarity in Sandalwood.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-06 |title=Aachar and Co to bring alive old Bengaluru |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/aachar-and-co-to-bring-alive-old-bengaluru/articleshow/90682076.cms |access-date=2024-03-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}
The film was released on 28 July 2023. It opened to mixed to positive reviews from critics but the movie went to complete 25 days at the box office by striking a chord with the audience.{{Cite web |title=Aachar & Co on OTT: 'An entertaining and nostalgia-driven film', say audiences |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/aachar-co-on-ott-an-entertaining-and-nostalgia-driven-film-say-audiences/ae9f8bf67c898 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}
Plot
The film follows Suma (Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy) and her nine siblings of a typically orthodox family headed by Madhusudhan Aachar (Ashok), as they explore changes in patriarchy, arranged marriages, gender roles, education, and work opportunities for women in Jayanagar, Bengaluru during the 1960s and 1970s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/jul/04/achar-co-led-by-an-all-woman-team-gets-a-release-date-2591130.html|title=Achar & Co, led by an all-woman team, gets a release date|date=4 July 2023|work=The New Indian Express|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=13 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713073514/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/jul/04/achar-co-led-by-an-all-woman-team-gets-a-release-date-2591130.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/aachar-co-the-movie-is-about-love-and-family-says-co-writer-kanan-gill/b6101e07c8864|title=Aachar & Co: The movie is about love and family, says co-writer Kanan Gill|date=14 July 2023|work=OTTplay|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802021707/https://www.ottplay.com/news/aachar-co-the-movie-is-about-love-and-family-says-co-writer-kanan-gill/b6101e07c8864|url-status=live}}
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy as Suma
- Vamsidhar Bhogaraju as Sudheendra
- Harshil Koushik as Raghu
- Anirudh Acharya as Jaggu
- Jagadishwar Sukumar as Jaggu
- Vamsidhar Bhogaraju as Lokesh
- Mandara Battalahalli as Sheela
- Ashok as Madhusudhan Aachar
- Sudha Belawadi as Savithri
- Sonu Venugopal as Chandra
}}
Themes and influence
The movie was heavily inspired by Wes Anderson aesthetics.The film also has a gentle commentary on patriarchy and feminism.{{Cite web |last=S |first=Pranati A. |title=Kannada cinema: Debut directors shine in 2023 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/debut-directors-shine-in-2023-2829564 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Bindhumalini.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/jul/27/inspiration-for-achar-cos-music-came-from-my-home-bindumalini-2598887.html|title=Inspiration for Achar & Co's music came from my home: Bindumalini|work=The New Indian Express|date=27 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802021749/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/kannada/2023/jul/27/inspiration-for-achar-cos-music-came-from-my-home-bindumalini-2598887.html|url-status=live}} "Bengaluru's Suprabhata" was the first song to be released and the song became an instant hit among the audience with its catchy lyrics and the peppy track.{{Cite web |title=Aachar & Co's Bengaluru's Suprabhata is a nostalgia-filled hit among netizens |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/aachar-cos-bengalurus-suprabhata-is-a-nostalgia-filled-hit-among-netizens/a9244a25a4534 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}} The Next release was "Pickle Song" which also became one of the chartbusters with praise for its whimsical lyrics accompanied by its cheerful music.{{Cite web |title=The Pickle Song from Aachar & Co.: Bindhumalini's song is deliciously witty, whimsical |url=https://www.ottplay.com/news/the-pickle-song-from-aachar-co-bindhumalinis-song-is-deliciously-witty-whimsical/d5a2a436f4475 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}
{{track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 13:40
| title1 = Bengaluru's Suprabhata
| extra1 = Rama Mani
| length1 = 2:46
| lyrics1 = Trilok Trivikrama
| title2 = Pickle Song
| extra2 = Emmjee, Deepika Kumar, Preethi Bharadwaj, Bindhumalini Narayanaswamy
| title3 = Baavi Kappe
| length3 = 3:54
| lyrics3 = Trilok Trivikrama
| extra3 = Bindhumalini, Anjana Rajagopalan
| title4 = Sapthaswara
| length4 = 3:57
| lyrics4 = Avinash Belakalla
| extra4 = Varijashree Venugopal, Bindhumalini, Nakul Abhyankar, Anjana Rajagopalan
| length2 = 3:03
| lyrics2 = Trilok Trivikrama
}}
Reception
A critic from Deccan Herald wrote that "If you want to reminisce about the good old Bangalore, travel through its traffic-free, tree-lined lanes, breathe its crisp air and prefer your pickles saved in large ceramic jars and sparingly served in smaller ones, then 'Aachar & Co.' is homemade for you".{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/sweet-bengaluru-nostalgia-and-a-comedown-1241782.html|title=Sweet Bengaluru nostalgia and a comedown|work=Deccan Herald|first=Vijay|last=Mruthyunjaya|date=29 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802021653/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/sweet-bengaluru-nostalgia-and-a-comedown-1241782.html|url-status=live}} A critic from Bangalore Mirror wrote that "All in all, it is a clean movie worth a watch for the whole family".{{Cite web|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/achar-co-movie-review-a-glimpse-into-bangalore/articleshow/102149729.cms|title=Achar & Co Movie Review: A glimpse into Bangalore|work=Bangalore Mirror|date=27 July 2023|first=Y. Maheswara|last=Reddy|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=27 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727175631/https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/reviews/achar-co-movie-review-a-glimpse-into-bangalore/articleshow/102149729.cms|url-status=live}} A critic from The Times of India wrote that "With Bengaluru weather providing an apt backdrop, Aachar & Co makes for a perfect family outing this weekend, especially when accompanied by parents and grandparents, who can surely enjoy the nostalgia".{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/aachar-co-/movie-review/102229931.cms|title=Aachar & Co. Movie Review : From Aachar to achar, this simple, nostalgic film works in parts|date=29 July 2023|first=Sridevi|last=S.|work=The Times of India|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=29 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729170340/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movie-reviews/aachar-co-/movie-review/102229931.cms|url-status=live}} A critic from The South First wrote that "Despite some flaws, Aachar & Co. is relevant in many terms; for it talks about the essence of family bonding and how life moves on despite all the hurdles one may face in their life".{{Cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/aachar-co-movie-review/|title=Aachar & Co. review: This simple coming-of-age tale is best watched with parents and grandparents|work=The South First|date=26 July 2023|first=Shashiprasad|last=S. M.|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=26 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726075754/https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/aachar-co-movie-review/|url-status=live}} A critic from The New Indian Express wrote that "Achar and Co delves into essential themes such as women's empowerment, family bonding, and self-reliance, as it provides a glimpse into the life of a woman in that era. While the film can be a delightful ode to the past, it also raises a pertinent question... Have things really changed?"{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/jul/29/achar--co-movie-review-a-flavourful-and-heartwarming-trip-down-memory-lane-2599667.html|title='Achar & Co' movie review: A flavourful and heartwarming trip down memory lane|first=A.|last=Sharadhaa|work=The New Indian Express|date=29 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=2 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802021707/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/jul/29/achar--co-movie-review-a-flavourful-and-heartwarming-trip-down-memory-lane-2599667.html|url-status=live}}
In contrast, a critic from The Hindu wrote that "Aachar & Co. is a harmless film, but it's hard to dismiss the fact that it exists without a bigger purpose. Even if small in scale, it could have offered us the excitement of watching a period drama on the big screen with solid writing".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aachar-co-movie-review-partly-nostalgic-period-drama-that-lacks-an-emotional-punch/article67130371.ece|title='Aachar & Co.' movie review: Partly nostalgic period drama lacks emotional punch|first=Vivek|last=M. V.|work=The Hindu|date=28 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728063707/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/aachar-co-movie-review-partly-nostalgic-period-drama-that-lacks-an-emotional-punch/article67130371.ece|url-status=live}} A critic from The News Minute wrote that "Ultimately, you are likely to walk out of the hall feeling that Aachar & Co. is a bit of a missed opportunity. It's genuinely refreshing to see a woman filmmaker being backed by a mainstream entity like PRK Productions and that together, they have tried to bring something very unconventional to the fore".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/aachar-co-review-sindhu-sreenivasa-murthy-s-film-endearing-lacks-depth-180315|title=Aachar & Co review: Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy's film is endearing, but lacks depth|author=Shuklaji|work=The News Minute|date=28 July 2023|access-date=1 August 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728141201/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/aachar-co-review-sindhu-sreenivasa-murthy-s-film-endearing-lacks-depth-180315|url-status=live}}
Accolades
Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy was selected for the BAFTA Breakthrough Talent Award 2024-25 for this movie.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/sindhu-murthy-on-bafta-nod-its-a-huge-validation-that-im-on-the-right-path/amp_articleshow/115597743.cms
Notes
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References
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