
Can a film with zero dialogue say more than a thousand words? Vijay Sethupathi is proving it can. After a long wait since its 2023 festival circuit debut, the silent dark comedy Gandhi Talks has finally graced the big screen in 2026, leaving audiences spellbound. In an era of loud blockbusters, this Gandhi Talks Review explores how director Kishor Pandurang Belekar uses silence to roar against corruption, poverty, and the moral decay of modern society.
The Plot: A Silent Symphony of Chaos
The narrative follows three distinct lives colliding in the heart of Mumbai. Mahadev (Vijay Sethupathi) is a desperate, unemployed graduate living in a chawl, pushed to the brink by a system that demands bribes for survival. On the other end of the spectrum is Boseman (Arvind Swamy), a tycoon watching his empire crumble under legal pressure.
Add a quirky pickpocket (Siddharth Jadhav) into the mix, and you get a high-stakes drama where these characters converge in a mysterious house. The plot of Gandhi Talks is a masterclass in visual storytelling, where a single look from Sethupathi conveys more pain and humor than a ten-minute monologue.
A.R. Rahman: The Voice of the Film
Since there are no dialogues, the "voice" of the film is A.R. Rahman’s musical score. Rahman transforms mundane scenes into emotional powerhouses. Whether it’s the rhythmic tension of a heist or the melancholic silence of a mother’s struggle, the music ensures that the audience never feels the absence of speech. Critics have rightly compared its technical brilliance to the legendary film Pushpak.
Strengths & Weaknesses at a Glance
Category
Strengths
Weaknesses
Performances
Sethupathi & Arvind Swamy's expressions
Siddharth Jadhav's role feels slightly loud
Technical
Rahman's score & crisp cinematography
Pacing slows down in the second half
Theme
Powerful commentary on class struggle
Some plot points feel predictable
Is It Worth the Watch?
While some critics from the Indian Express felt the use of text messages mid-film broke the "silent" spell, most viewers agree that it is a rare cinematic gem. It’s a 2-hour 13-minute experimental journey that asks a haunting question: Has the ideology of Gandhi gone silent in today’s India? If you are a fan of "Pure Cinema," this movie is a mandatory theater visit. https://www.allyourchoice.co.in/news/movie-review/gandhi-talks-movie-review-vijay-sethupathi-silent-film/






