Director - Kishor Pandurang Belekar 
Cast- Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swamy, Aditi Rao Hydari, Siddharth Jadhav, Mahesh Manjrekar 
Duration – 130 Minutes
 
Vijay Sethupathi has done it again—but this time, he’s not speaking a single word. Gandhi Talks, the experimental silent film from Kishor Pandurang Belekar, tosses audiences into a world where facial expressions, gestures, and clever text flashes do all the talking. If you thought silent cinema was a relic, this quirky drama proves it can still pack laughs, emotions, and unexpected charm.
 
The film introduces us to Mahadev, an unemployed slum-dweller juggling family struggles, a hopelessly bureaucratic job hunt, and a budding romance. Across town, Arvind Swamy plays Boseman, a once-powerful businessman brought to ruin by legal troubles and personal loss. When their lives intersect, what unfolds is a story about resilience, unlikely friendships, and finding humor even in chaos.
 
What makes Gandhi Talks truly fascinating is the sheer audacity of its silence. Every scene leans on body language, timing, and visual cues, turning mundane moments into a performance challenge. Vijay Sethupathi, naturally, steals the show—his warmth and subtle expressions make you feel every high, low, and awkwardly funny moment. Arvind Swamy delivers a quietly powerful performance, balancing introspection with a touch of dark humor.
 
Supporting cast members bring texture and energy to this unconventional setup. Siddharth Jadhav’s thief provides laugh-out-loud moments, while Aditi Rao Hydari grounds the narrative with gentle charm. The second half picks up pace with more engaging sequences and comedic timing, although the first half occasionally drags, and some on-screen text disappears faster than you can read.
 
The story may not reinvent the wheel—corruption, survival, and human struggle are familiar themes—but telling it without a single spoken line gives it a quirky, fresh flavor. The filmmakers smartly use WhatsApp chats, notes, and visual storytelling to convey plot points, and most of the time, it works. A few sequences, however, could have benefited from slower pacing to ensure nothing slips past the audience.
 
Musically, the film hits all the right notes. The background score is clever, enhancing humor, tension, and emotional beats without overwhelming the visuals. Cinematography captures Mumbai’s gritty charm, while editing maintains a reasonable pace despite minor dips. The production may not scream extravagance, but it’s clean, effective, and lets the story shine.
 
Gandhi Talks is a bold cinematic experiment with mainstream appeal. It’s not for audiences seeking traditional entertainment, but urban viewers craving quirky storytelling and solid performances will find it rewarding. Vijay Sethupathi proves once again why he’s one of the most versatile actors of his generation, supported by a capable ensemble. Silent, strange, and surprisingly fun—this is one gamble worth taking.