Rising Sun Films and Kino Works’ I Want To Talk (UA) is based on a real-life story of a man who was given just 100 days by his doctor but went on to live for years thereafter.
Arjun Sen (Abhishek Bachchan) is an NRI based in the USA. He is a single parent to his daughter, Reya. His life turns upside down when he is diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. He undergoes a surgery and then another and then one more. Although the doctor finally gives him just 100 days more, Arjun Sen lives for years thereafter but with many more life-altering surgeries.
The story is based on the real-life story of a survivor who battled a number of tough surgeries and cancer to lead a life much beyond even the doctors could ever imagine. By its very nature, the story is depressing because of two main reasons: it is about a man who is constantly living under the shadow of death and who has to go under the knife more than ten times; and the same man heads a dysfunctional family. For some, the story may appear to be uplifting because it is about Arjun’s survival instinct but, having said that, it does get depressing every time he has to be admitted to hospital for a surgery. The unhappy familial ties are also a depressing aspect of the story. Ritesh Shah’s screenplay, with additional screenplay by Tushar Sheetal Jain, is slow-moving and gets monotonous after a point of time. This is not so much a fault of the writers as it is of the limited drama that’s available to tackle. Even the light moments are not exactly of the kind which can get a smile to the viewer’s face. The best part of the drama is the revelation of the real person on whose life the film is based. Ritesh Shah’s dialogues are natural. Having said that, it must be added that more than half the dialogues are in English (for the sake of authenticity, of course), but this will restrict the appeal to the cities only.
Abhishek Bachchan does a fair job as Arjun Sen. Ahilya Bamroo is good in the role of Reya Sen. Johny Lever lends average support as Johnny. Jayant Kripalani is adequate as Dr. Jayanta Deb. Pearle Dey has her moments as young Reya Sen. Kristin Goddard delivers a mature performance as nurse Nancy. Others lend the desired support.
Shoojit Sircar’s direction is heartfelt. He has narrated the drama in a sensitive manner but, of course, the drama is for a very thin section of the audience. Taba Chake’s music and lyrics go well with the mood of the film. George Joseph and Koyna’s background music is decent. Avik Mukhopadhyay’s cinematography is of a fine standard. Mansi Dhruv Mehta’s production designing is nice. Chandrashekhar Prajapati’s editing is reasonably sharp.
On the whole, I Want To Talk will find appreciation among only a very thin section of the audience and hence its commercial prospects are extremely weak.
Released on 22-11-’24 at Inox (daily 3 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PVR Inox Pictures. Publicity: so-so. Opening: dull. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.