Zwigato

Nandita Das stunned me via Zwigato with two things. One, the beautiful way she has weaved topics of caste, unemployment, poor handling od pandemic in India, the gig economy, class, family, and patriarchy. Two, the amateur filmmaking and production value of the entire setup. Going in to the movie - especially with how the central app is designed or the attention to details - you almost wonder why not much thought was gone into it and it's working. It's a bit satirical but more than anything Zwigato gives you a new perspective about online food delivery. As a mere consumer, Zwigato surprised me and think will make me a bit more patient and considerate while ordering food online. The jibe at Zomato and Swiggy is immense here to the tune of lawsuit vulnerability.

(Watched at the 2022 International Film Festival of Kerala at Trivandrum.)

Life as a delivery partner is far from glamorous. It's a harsh reality that exposes the stark inequality and exploitation that exists in our society. Despite working long hours and taking on immense physical and mental strain, these workers often earn a meager wage that barely covers their basic needs.

The disparity between the wealthy and the working class is striking, with the former benefiting from the labor of the latter while offering little in return. Delivery partners are forced to navigate treacherous roads and face dangerous situations, all while being paid as little as 20 Rs for their services.

This exploitation is perpetuated by a system that prioritizes profits over people, with companies relying on underpaid workers to maximize their margins. The heartbreaking reality is that many of these workers are trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to break free from the clutches of an unjust system.

It's time for society to acknowledge and address the systemic issues that contribute to the exploitation of delivery partners and other low-wage workers. Until we recognize the humanity of these workers and value their contributions, we cannot claim to live in a just and equitable society.

Zwigato delivers a stark and poignant glimpse into the often-overlooked life of a delivery worker, capturing the relentlessness and vulnerability of the job with raw realism. Kapil Sharma, stepping away from his comedic roots, surprises with a nuanced and earnest portrayal that grounds the film's emotional depth. The story itself unfolds with an intentional pace, immersing viewers in the character's daily struggles, minor victories, and quiet despair -hallmarks of impactful art cinema that aim to evoke empathy rather than thrill.

The screenplay complements this storytelling approach, carefully crafting each moment to let audiences experience both the heaviness and fleeting joys of the protagonist' life. This slower rhythm is the film's strength, allowing the narrative to resonate on a deeper level. However, the one noticeable flaw is Sharma's Bhojpuri accent, which seems unnecessary and occasionally detracts from the authenticity of his character.

Shahana Goswami, as his wife, shines throughout with a performance that is as natural as it is compelling, while Nandita Das's direction brings it all together with a restrained yet powerful hand, enhancing the film's realism and emotional gravity. Altogether, Zwigato emerges as a film of profound sensitivity and relevance-a must-watch for those who appreciate cinema that challenges and engages on a human level.

This is FINALLY on streaming. Not sure what took so long.

Plot - A man works as a food delivery rider, grappling with the world of ratings and incentives. To support the income, his homemaker wife begins to explore different work opportunities, with fear but also excitement of a new found independence.

This too, is one of those slice of life movies that may make you think about a few things in life that we take for granted and may make you be grateful for all things in life. Kapil Sharma plays the lead, I haven't watched much of his content, but I didn't expect him to deliver such a performance along with all the others in the film.

While the story is a bit serious, it's still a good movie to watch with an ending that makes you want to look at life with optimism and hope. If you're in the mood for something like this, I'd recommend Zwigato.

The movie depicts the life of a lower middle-class man and the challenges he faces in his day to day life and work. It is not just about food delivery guys but any lower middle-class Indian. I am sure some middle middle-class Indians can also relate it with their experiences, especially during or after pandemic.

I guess almost every working Indian would be able to see themselves somewhere in the movie.

The movie could be too realistic to digest for some people, while some people would fail to connect with the character probably because they haven't faced same issues in their lives.

Hence, I do not recommend the movie to those who are looking for thrill, entertainment or to escape reality.

I liked the movie and want to watch similar realistic movies with depth.

Thanks.