Zwigato is a Hindi film directed by Nandita Das and written by Das and Samir Patil. It stars Kapil Sharma as Manas Mahto, a former factory worker who becomes a food delivery driver for Zwigato, a popular app-based service. The film follows his struggles to make ends meet, support his family, and cope with the pressures and exploitation of the gig economy. Shahana Goswami plays his wife Pratima, who also takes up a job as a cleaner at a mall against his wishes. The film also features Sayani Gupta, Gul Panag, Swanand Kirkire, and Tushar Acharya in supporting roles.
Zwigato is not just a personal story of survival but also a social commentary on the dark side of India’s success story. It shows how hard life is for millions of Indians who are stuck in dangerous, low-paying jobs that don’t give them security, respect, or benefits. The film shows how these workers are at the mercy of algorithms, ratings, incentives, and penalties that dictate their every move and affect their livelihoods. It also shows how they face discrimination, violence, and injustice on a daily basis.
The film is based on extensive research and interviews with gig workers across India. Das and Patil have crafted a realistic and empathetic screenplay that does not shy away from showing the grim aspects of this sector. The film also raises important questions about the role of technology, corporations, government, and society in creating and sustaining such an exploitative system.
The film benefits from stellar performances by its lead actors. Sharma delivers a terrific performance as Manas, portraying his frustration, desperation, and helplessness with nuance and conviction. He makes us root for him even as he makes mistakes and compromises along the way. Goswami is equally impressive as Pratima, who tries to balance her domestic duties with her aspirations for herself and her children. She brings out her character’s strength, resilience, and vulnerability with grace and subtlety.
The film also has some memorable scenes that highlight the contrast between the lives of gig workers and their customers. One such scene is when Manas delivers food to an affluent couple who are celebrating their anniversary with champagne and cake. He watches them through the window as they cut the cake while he waits for his payment outside in the rain.
Another scene is when Manas meets his former colleague Govindraj (Kirkire), who has become an activist fighting for gig workers’ rights. He asks him to join a march against Zwigato’s unfair policies, but Manas says he doesn’t have time for politics and declines.
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Zwigato is not without its flaws, though. The film sometimes feels too slow-paced and repetitive as it follows Manas’s daily routine without much variation or surprise. Some subplots feel unnecessary or forced, such as Pratima’s encounter with her boss (Panag) at the mall or Manas’s involvement in a communal clash.
The film also does not offer much hope or solution for its protagonists or their plight. It ends on an ambiguous note that leaves us wondering what will happen to them next.
Even with these problems, Zwigato is still worth seeing because it shows a truth that many of us don’t know about or choose to ignore. It delivers a critical message, but at a plodding pace. It is an earnest film on gig workers’ plight that brings forth the dark side of India’s success story. It is also Kapil Sharma’s heart-breaking story of survival that showcases his acting talent beyond comedy.
