Director: Shoojit Sircar
Writer: Ritesh Shah
Stars: Arjun, Ahilya Bamroo, Reya, Tom McLaren, Janet Carter, Kristin Goddard.
Released Date: November 22, 2024
The Story of Arjun Sen:
Shoojit Sircar is a filmmaker who is simply in a league of his own. If directors were likened to a box of chocolates, then Sircar would hold numerous surprises. Expect the unexpected from him, as you never know how he is going to behave. A director often incorporates himself into the movies that he directs, however, the type of work that Sircar does is distinct and varies from one film to another; it is difficult to surmise who Sircar is when he is away from the cameras.
Just ponder over it—this is the man who directed the romantic drama ‘Yahaan,’ the comedy ‘Vicky Donor,’ ‘October,’ and ‘Piku’ –imagine bringing such heart-melting topics to the big screen! Now, he is back with another inspiring and touching movie, as always, titled I Want To Talk.
Who Is Arjun Sen?
The story revolves around a man named Arjun Sen, portrayed by Abhishek Bachchan, in one of his best performances. Arjun is a man with a terminal illness, but summarizing everything that is shown in the film within two hours is not easy. It was as if time was slowing down and each second felt like a minute when one was faced with the reality of death. That is why Sircar, as was the case with October, indulges in patiently developing the character of Arjun and allowing the audience to get a grip on this world.
Arjun is not a hero type with whom one can immediately fall in love with him. He’s a marketing professional, which means that speaking is something that comes to him pretty naturally. However, life again has a twist when cancer renders him speechless, something that was core to his profession. This devastating change makes him grapple with not only the illness but also failing relationships, especially with his daughter.
A Fragile Father-Daughter Bond:
The character of Arjun’s adult daughter is portrayed by Ahilya Bamroo, and she has played this role with a lot of grace. Although they are engaged and have a mutual understanding of their feelings, their relationship is far from ideal. One memorable scene is when she asks her dad to go back to her mom’s house twice because she picked the wrong shoes. When Arjun loses his temper, she shuts him down with a brutally honest response: I paraphrase: It was not my life purpose to become a sex worker. Your divorce did.” This brief, yet significant scene shows the strain and deterioration in the siblings’ relationship due to past resentments and unaddressed anger.
Hope and Heartbreak:
Throughout the movie, viewers observe Arjun recording video messages for his daughter before each surgery he is about to perform. It is a way for him to reach out to her even when he cannot find the right words to say. However, these moments are also accompanied by hope and fear at the same time they feel elating as well as intimidating. The shot of the actual hospital and the marks on the body make you question if you should hope for Arjun’s well-being or expect an unfortunate outcome.
Perhaps one of the most ironic aspects of the film revolves around Methuku, Arjun’s best friend.
This friend persuades him to continue struggling to live, to look for reasons to stay alive, only to commit suicide. It is a sensitive scene that shows that even the most invulnerable characters have their weak spots. For the first time, tears welled up in Arjun’s eyes. This is a man who has confronted death with levity as well as bravery, but nothing can bring him to his knees quite like losing a friend who, in her way, saved him.
Life’s Unanswered Questions
To judge the film according to conventional or linear narratives would mean missing the point, which is one of the many reasons Shoojit Sircar works as a director. He dares his audience to endure feelings of emptiness and loss, to dwell in moments of stillness, and to seek solace in the unknown. Such is the case with the title I Want To Talk, which has an underlying sorrowful connotation. They say that this is a film about a man who loses his voice and yet, there are parts of the film that do not have any dialogue at all. Sircar makes the silence deafening in its articulation of the narrative.
A Bittersweet Ending:
By the end of the twisting plot, 20 surgical procedures have been performed on Arjun. His condition decompensates further to the extent that he struggles to speak. However, the climax as well as the conclusion of the movie appear quite abrupt and is completed in a rather hurried manner. Two death scenes come in quick succession, leaving the audience to wonder: is this man who has survived so much truly unbreakable? But has Abbas just learned how to exist in the face of death?
Johny Lever, in a small but memorable role, sums up the film’s spirit perfectly: ‘Die’ or ‘Do not die.’ At that moment he realized that “There’s no such thing as ‘could’ve died.’” It is a very clichéd but encouraging statement that always brings hope, regardless of the difficulties that one might face in life.
Why This Film Stays With You:
I Want To Talk is more of an experience rather than a movie directed by Shoojit Sircar. It is a story that mixes comedy with tragedy; the concept of an unfortunate and painful scenario which is a love story, complimented by scenes that leave a lasting impression after the conclusion.
Despite moments of mere annoyance, such as Arjun losing his voice, the audience sees him trying to connect with his daughter, or the tragic loss of a friend, there is a deep emotion in every scene. It doesn’t wrap things in a bow at the end, and that is what also makes the movie realistic. As people, we don’t always get closure in life and this is perfectly portrayed by Sircar in the movie.
For a 14-year-old and older audience, I Want To Talk is a powerful reminder that life is messy, relationships are complex, and even in the face of overwhelming odds, there’s always room for hope—and a lot of courage.
I Want To Talk 2024 Parents Guide & Age Rating
Violence: A character commits suicide, depicted sensitively but emotionally impactful. Surgical scenes, including marks on the body, may be distressing for some viewers.
Language: Contains a strong and emotionally charged dialogue (e.g., reference to “sex worker” in a family argument).
Overall Suitability: The film is best suited for audiences aged 14 and older, as it tackles mature themes and intense emotional moments that require a level of understanding and sensitivity.