I Want to Talk – A Quiet Triumph That’s Best Watched at Home
Every once in a while, a film comes along that quietly tugs at your heartstrings without trying too hard to grab your attention. I Want to Talk is one such movie—a deeply personal story about hope, grit, and perseverance. What makes it even more compelling is that it’s based on a real-life story—the journey of Shoojit Sircar’s friend, Arjun Sen.
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At its core, this film isn’t about grand, dramatic highs and lows. It’s about Arjun, a no-nonsense marketing professional who believes marketing is all about bullshitting. His sharp wit, unapologetic honesty, and belief in the power of his voice define him. But life throws him a cruel twist—laryngeal cancer. Suddenly, the very thing that forms the essence of his identity, his voice, is at risk. The film captures his year-long battle with cancer, his defiance of medical predictions, and his journey to reconcile with his estranged wife while co-parenting their daughter.
And that’s where I Want to Talk shines. It’s not just a film about survival; it’s a film about living with dignity. Arjun is written as a character who refuses to let his illness turn him into a victim. He’s not someone you pity; he’s someone you admire for his resilience and his refusal to let life’s curveballs define him.
Abhishek Bachchan is nothing short of phenomenal in this role. This might just be one of his finest performances to date. He plays Arjun with a level of restraint and nuance that’s rare to see in films like these. There’s a quiet intensity to his portrayal, and you can feel every bit of the character’s frustration, courage, and determination. The way Abhishek brings out Arjun’s wit and dry humor, even in the face of adversity, is particularly commendable.
But here’s the thing: as great as I Want to Talk is, it’s not a movie I’d want to watch in a theatre. And that might explain why it only made ₹1.25 crores at the box office—something that doesn’t surprise me at all.
Let’s face it: today’s theatrical experience is all about grabbing the audience by the collar and keeping them hooked for two straight hours. Films that succeed in theatres today evoke big emotions, keep the pacing tight, and demand your attention. I Want to Talk simply isn’t built for that. It’s slow-paced, reflective, and doesn’t try to excite you with any cinematic fireworks.
This is a film best experienced in the comfort of your own space. Picture yourself lying on your couch, a warm cup of tea in hand, and no distractions. In that setting, I Want to Talk hits differently. You can take it in slowly, let the moments sink in, and truly appreciate the quiet brilliance of its storytelling.
In a theatre, where audiences expect a rollercoaster of emotions or a fast-paced narrative, it doesn’t quite fit. That’s not to say the film lacks depth—it has plenty—but its pacing and tone don’t align with the expectations of today’s moviegoers.
What also sets I Want to Talk apart is its refusal to indulge in melodrama, despite being a film about death. It handles its themes with grace, never pushing too hard for tears but letting the emotions flow naturally.
So, should you watch I Want to Talk? Absolutely. Just don’t expect it to thrill or excite you in the way today’s blockbuster movies do. It’s a quiet, soulful film about an extraordinary man, his battle for his voice, and his journey to hold onto hope. Watch it on your own terms, in your own time. You won’t regret it.
I can’t stop talking about films, so I blog!
I started The FourthWall, my film blog, to share my thoughts on films and shows with fellow movie buffs, and over the years it has become my happy place. Come join in for some interesting conversations on cinema… and sometimes books and fashion!
