Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swami, Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth Jadhav
Directed By: Kishor Pandurang Belekar
Music By: A.R. Rahman
Produced By: Zee Studios, Kyoorius, Pincmoon & Moviemill Entertainment – Rajesh Kejriwal, Gurpal Sachar, Umesh Kumar Bansal, Meerra Chopraa, Kishor P Beleka
Vijay Sethupathi, living in a Mumbai slum, struggles for a single meal due to unemployment. On the other hand, Arvind Swami, a wealthy man, suffers business losses and loses his assets. The reason for their predicament is the bribes taken by others. During their attempts to overcome their situations, they meet each other. What happens after that? ‘Gandhi Talks’ explores the truth that money speaks louder than people
As the saying goes, “Money makes the world go round,” the film depicts how money is the only solution to all of life’s problems, and how and where money speaks. It also raises the question of whether money alone is enough and offers a solution.
Vijay Sethupathi, through his facial expressions and body language, has very effectively portrayed the hardships of poverty and his helplessness. As usual, his natural acting adds great strength to his character and easily connects with the audience.
Arvind Swami, who plays the role of a wealthy businessman who loses everything and struggles with problems, also captivates the audience with his expressive eyes.
Aditi Rao, as the female lead, wins the hearts of the audience with her excellent performance in emotional scenes.
Siddharth Jadhav, whose role is as significant as the three main characters, despite being designed humorously, makes the audience laugh and think through his body language. In Karan B. Rawat’s cinematography, Mumbai is portrayed as a city that starkly reveals the divide between the rich and the poor. The way Arvind Swami’s house, which showcases a luxurious lifestyle, and Vijay Sethupathi’s house, which reflects poverty, are depicted is captivating.
Although there are no dialogues in the film, A.R. Rahman has made his music speak volumes. The background music, perfectly suited to each situation, evokes various emotions in the audience, just like the film’s visuals. While the lyrics of the songs, composed to suit the situations, are not particularly impressive, the music itself is captivating.
The work of editor Ashish Mhatre and art director Durgaprasad Mahapatra has added significant strength to the film.
Writer and director Kishore Pandurang Belagkar, despite directing the film without dialogues, has effectively conveyed his intended message to the audience.
Director Kishore Pandurang Belagkar, who argues that money is the only solution to human problems, also addresses the rampant corruption and bribery prevalent in contemporary times, and the politicians who thrive on it. He has boldly depicted how even the judiciary is caught in this web of corruption.
The director uses Gandhi’s smile on the currency notes to illustrate the power of money, and through Gandhi’s quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” he also conveys that money is not everything in life.
A minor drawback is that because of the lack of dialogue, one needs to carefully observe the subtle movements of the characters to understand the film’s message. Also, the screenplay primarily focuses on the actors’ performances, and the film moves at a slightly slow pace. However, the actors’ performances, which convey situations and emotions without dialogue, overshadow these shortcomings and make the film enjoyable.
