Starring : Abhishek Bachchan, Ahilya Bamroo, Jayant Kriplani & Others
He hasn’t yet become a Bollywood superstar (notwithstanding his legendary heritage) but Junior Big B combines gravitas with classiness, humourand loads of acting talent and a distinctive baritone that’s his own. His latest film titled‘I Want To Talk’ helmed by renowned maker Shoojit Sarkar hit the theatres in Nov’24& it predictably bombed, not having the star power&hype of blockbusters. OTT is right place forniche films and we buffs,presumptuously feel that such films deserve wider recognition !
The film’sslow first half hour appears a bit gloomy and depressing, reminiscent of the terminally ill in poignantfilms like the philosophical ‘Safar’ &‘Anand’ that had great positivity. The protagonist is a marketing whiz-guy settled in US, Arjun Sen’s future suddenly appears terminatedasthe doctorsdeclare ‘you won’t live for more than 100 days‘! Howdoes any man react to such a deadly prognosis ? His customary bubbly spirits start taking a nose-dive to point of breakdown. Attempt at suicide is thwarted butfrom then on, urged byhis very compassionate nurse, Nancy, ‘survival’ becomes watchword for him.How does go about fighting the Big C and medical opinions ?!
Senresearches medical histories, works on published longevity averages and sets out to defy established medical theories& norms. One by one he undergoes 20 surgeries starting with laryngeal cancer. Though despite surgery, the cancer spreads all over his body affecting his colon and stomach, he somehow emerges triumphant after each major medical encounter. In this long ‘painful’ roller coaster ridehe meets Dr Jayant Deb, a maverick ace surgeon with quaint sense of dark humour. As their relationship grows, the Doctor realises his recalcitrant patient is stubborn with guts of a maniac !
The film explores from another level, Arjun’s distraught personal life in managing a complex relationship with his daughter (Reya) as a single parent. His wife divorces him leading them to co-parent their daughter Reya, who’s growing up, rebellious and critical of her father’s hiding his operationsand neglecting her. Slowly she comes to terms with his mental condition and will power, becomes his anchor and it’s through regular hospital trips,the relationship is healed. Avoiding spoilers, it’s an exhilarating and inspiring experience that surprises and amazes you as does the film’s ending !
Shoojit Sarkar blends the despair of cancer survivors with pithy humour.In one scene the message is death has 1% point against Arjun’s 99% forwill to live and in another, someone remarks his surgeries bring good luck to his business. Yet, it’s an Abhishek Bachchan show, vulnerability & helplessness in facing the odds to a growing strength to challenge critical illnessesto physical transformation after each surgery, he nails it.But why doesn’t he speak any Bengali ?Young Ahilya Bamroo plays daughter, Reya with effortless ease while the veteran Jayant Kriplani as Dr Deb is quite marvellous.
Working on Living 