Shoojit Sircar's long-awaited film, I Want To Talk, featuring Abhishek Bachchan, hit theaters on November 22, 2024. Despite receiving praise from critics for its creativity, the film's box office performance tells another story. On its opening day, it managed to earn just Rs 25 lakh, marking the lowest first-day collection for both the actor and the filmmaker, according to early estimates by Sacnilk. With approximately 800 shows across India and an overall occupancy of merely 7.44 percent, this presents quite the setback for what many anticipated would be a comeback success for Sircar, who last directed theatrically released films back in 2018.
For some perspective, this isn't Bachchan's first time struggling at the box office—his last couple of releases, Ghoomer and Dasvi, did not create much buzz either. Ghoomer managed to pull Rs 85 lakh on its opening day and grossed around Rs 7.15 crore globally, which pales compared to his past hits. Prior to this, his lowest opener was back in 2004 with Naach, which opened to Rs 42 lakh. The stark difference between those figures and the current performance raises questions about audience engagement and the marketing strategy of I Want To Talk.
Most critically, the film opens as Bachchan's character, Arjun Sen, who works as a marketer, finds himself coughing blood during what should be just another hectic workday. While the diagnosis reveals throat cancer, it flips his life upside down, leaving him to grapple not just with health but also with fatherhood, as he often sees his daughter Reya only on weekends following his divorce.
The film's premise rests on the struggles between Arjun and his daughter, portrayed by Ahilya Bamroo, who navigates teenage challenges and father-daughter tensions. The relationship dynamics are layered, shaped by Arjun's overwhelming desire to communicate, especially as he learns he may soon lose his voice post-surgery. Echoes from Sircar’s past works like Piku and October ring true here, yet the emotional punch seems muted when compared to his earlier triumphs.
For those who might be wondering how this film stacks up against Sircar's previous works, his last successful release was October, which opened with Rs 4.25 crore. It's noteworthy how I Want To Talk deviates from this upward trend, leaving audiences scratching their heads.
Despite the less than ideal start, there's cautious optimism from industry insiders. Positive word-of-mouth from early viewers and favorable reviews could help it pick up traction over the weekend. Notably, its narrative—a focus on familial bonds amid adversity—could resonate with audiences seeking depth rather than spectacle.
Bachchan's performance is being described as one of his best yet. Critics laud his ability to attend to the nuances of Arjun's internal struggles, illustrating the painful transition from being verbose to grappling with silence due to his health condition. But it remains to be seen whether his engaging portrayal can translate to box office success. The juxtaposition of intimacy and overwhelming emotion is prevalent throughout the screenplay, penned by Ritesh Shah, who attempts to create something tender yet impactful.
The film's critics point out some narrative quirks, indicating moments where the pacing feels off or story threads seem disconnected. Whether this hinders the viewer's connection to the characters remains uncertain, but it's often these elements, along with clear intentions, which can evoke emotional responses.
A steadily paced film exploring complex familial relationships might not be enough to jolt the jaded box office, particularly at a time when larger-than-life spectacles dominate the screens. Audiences might flock to the cinemas for heart-pounding action as opposed to thoughtful storytelling.
Described by some as mostly character-driven, I Want To Talk has the chance to mine significant emotional depth from the shared experiences of its characters. Yet, sustained viewer investment is questionable when juxtaposed against hit blockbusters.
If there’s one takeaway from the current box office conundrum both Sircar and Bachchan find themselves faced with, it’s the philosophical pondering about the state of cinema. Does creativity and poignant storytelling hold enough draw to sway audiences away from sensationalist flicks? Only time will tell how I Want To Talk grapples with this modern cinematic dilemma.
