Star Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Ahilya Bamroo, Pearle Dey, Jayant Kripalani, Johny Lever, Kristin Goddard
Director: Shoojit Sircar
What’s Good: A sturdy performance from Abhishek Bachchan and the core message
What’s Bad: The length and languid pacing
Loo Break: Depends on you!
Watch or Not?: “Story picture hai!” as the video library-walas used to say about offbeat films! So it’s up to you again.
Language: Hindi
Available On: Theatrical release
Runtime: 122 Minutes
“I Want To Talk” tells the story of Arjun Sen (Abhishek Bachchan), a charismatic marketing executive based in the US. A divorced MBA graduate with a precocious daughter, Reya (Perale Dey as a child, Ahilya Bamroo as a teenager), Arjun’s life takes a dramatic turn when he’s diagnosed with cancer. He initially keeps his illness a secret from Reya, communicating with her through video messages while undergoing treatment and facing job loss and financial hardship.
The film depicts Arjun’s arduous battle against the disease, involving numerous hospital visits and surgeries. The narrative is based on the real-life story of a friend of director Shoojit Sircar, with some dramatization.
The first half of the film is slow-paced and struggles to fully engage the viewer. Despite the real-life inspiration, the storytelling feels uneven. Arjun’s character, while physically able, seems isolated, relying heavily on junk food and grappling with his situation in silence. His interactions with doctors are limited, with the most compelling scenes being his initial denial of the diagnosis and a suicide attempt. A supportive helper (Kristin Goddard) provides some motivation.
The second half gains momentum, portraying Arjun as a determined survivor. He develops a rapport with his doctor (Jayant Kripalani) and a more complex relationship with his now-teenage daughter. The absence of his ex-wife is notable. After numerous surgeries, Arjun, drawing a humorous parallel to the mythological hero of the Mahabharata for whom he is named, embraces a resilient attitude and even participates in a marathon as a tribute to his helper, who has tragically taken her own life. He shares heartfelt conversations with his daughter, who becomes a source of strength.
The script, written by Ritesh Shah, attempts a unique approach but suffers from pacing issues. The narrative could have benefited from a quicker tempo and a more consistent emotional intensity. The depiction of Arjun and Reya’s relationship as emotionally distant, lacking physical affection, feels unconvincing, especially given Arjun’s life-threatening illness. The film lacks a strong emotional core, failing to evoke the desired emotional impact.
Abhishek Bachchan delivers a strong performance as Arjun, effectively portraying his character’s various stages. Ahilya Bamroo gives a commendable understated performance as the older Reya. Jayant Kripalani, Johny Lever, and Pearle Dey also contribute to the film.
Shoojit Sircar’s direction, while demonstrating his skill with character dynamics, suffers from a slow pace that may appeal to some but alienate others seeking a more engaging cinematic experience. The music is minimal, with only two unremarkable songs and a restrained background score.
The film’s ending, revealing the real Arjun Sen, adds context to the story. However, the preceding lengthy and slow-paced segments may test the audience’s patience.
