Zwigato: A Slow-Paced Take on the Life of Food Delivery Riders

Plot

Zwigato follows the story of Manas, a food delivery rider who struggles with ratings and algorithms after losing his job as a factory floor supervisor during the pandemic. The film delves into the plights of the labour class in our society and their daily hustle to make ends meet.

Acting

Kapil Sharma surprises with his heartfelt portrayal of Manas, a frustrated worker and a desperate man. Shahana Goswami shines as Pratima, Manas's wife, who tries to support her family financially despite her husband's disapproval.

Cinematography

Cinematographer Ranjan Palit depicts the dingy bylanes of Bhubaneswar where the story is set. The decision to skip Odisha's majestic structures and exotic beauty adds to the film's realism. The stop-motion animation during the credits deserves a special mention.

Direction

Nandita Das delivers a slow-paced, close-to-reality tale of the lives of food delivery riders. She effectively highlights the struggles faced by the gig workers, the inadequacy of employment opportunities, and the hidden class and gender discrimination deeply embedded in our society.

Overall Impression

Zwigato is a well-intended film with fine performances, but it suffers due to its plodding pace and the inclusion of unnecessary political and religious drama in some scenes. Nevertheless, it's worth watching for its empathy-inducing portrayal of the people who do odd or menial jobs to make our lives simpler.

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