CandyFlip

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Goa, CandyFlip is a 2017 Indian film directed by Shanawaz NK featuring a splendid ensemble cast comprising distinguished actors Prakash Raj, Kalki Koechlin, and Gulshan Devaiah. The movie is fraught with flavors of mystique, thrill, and drama woven within the counterculture lifestyle and pulsating party scene of Goa.

CandyFlip revolves around the life of Roy, embodied by Gulshan Devaiah, who runs an eclectic café called 'Cafe Goa'. He has a colorful past as a raver who used to create psychedelic drugs. Struggling with the mundane life he lives now and haunted by regrets, he awkwardly fits into the role of a small café owner. He yearns for the chaos and excitement of his former life, which reflects in his continuous struggle to keep Café Goa afloat amidst rival cafés and transition from traditional to modern ways.

Prakash Raj, with his veteran acting skills, brilliantly displays the multifaceted character of Tommy Patel. Tommy, equipped with his enterprising spirit, takes over Goa's party scene by exposing it to his unique Russian party drug – a coveted psychedelic known as CandyFlip. The new drug highlights the global competition and sidelining of local homemade drugs like LSD and ecstasy, casting a harsh light on the brutality of the drug trade.

Kalki Koechlin delivers a mesmerizing act as Emma, an English backpacker spending her days in the beautifully chaotic Goa. She brings much-needed freshness and mystique to the whole story. Emma enters Roy's life, reviving spirits and introducing new possibilities. She showcases a heart-rending portrayal of the troublemaker yet compassionate outsider.

CandyFlip takes the audience on an immersive journey into the riveting narratives of these characters. Each one comes with their baggage that intersects at multiple levels, providing parables on life, love, loss, and collective consciousness. It crafts a straightforward narrative into complex layers sparking intrigue in the audience. All the while, it gives hints of the rampant drug culture that exists beneath the fun-loving party scene that Goa is internationally recognized for.

Director Shanawaz NK depicts the scenic beauty of Goa, but at the same time, he caters to the darker underbelly which holds the grim reality of drug culture. He adeptly captures the essence of Goa which is more than just 'beer and beach'. CandyFlip can be seen as a metaphor for the dangerous flavors and unpredictable experiences of Goa’s party lifestyle. Whether it's the mesmerizing full-moon parties on a far-off beach or the silent rave parties in the heart of Goa, these scenes manage to encapsulate the chilling yet thrilling reality of Goa and its counterculture.

Seamlessly intertwined within the narration is a mesmerizing music score. The chilling, eerie electronic music composed by Kishan Mohan perfectly encapsulates the trippy vibe of the party scenes and the calming serenity of Goa's picturesque locations. It heightens the dramatic impact, creating moments of unease, suspense, and heightened emotion.

The cinematography deserves a special mention, as it brilliantly captures the contrast between Goa's vibrant atmosphere and the underlying grim reality. The hallucinatory visuals and play of light and shadow contribute to the psychedelic and immersive aspect of the film. It's this effective blend of storytelling and stylistic filming that makes CandyFlip an appealing watch.

Stepping into the untapped genre of psychedelic thrillers in Indian cinema, CandyFlip is a deeply impactful narrative dealing with love, life, dreams, and nightmares. It confidently challenges the stereotypes associated with Goa and offers a counter-perspective on its internationally famed party culture. Thanks to the exemplary performances by the cast, transporting cinematography, and pulsating soundtrack, CandyFlip provides a striking experience to viewers ready to flip their perspective on Goa's counterculture lifestyle.