Starring Kapil Sharma in the lead role and directed by Nandita Das, Zwigato offers a deeply honest look at the Gig Economy through a highly specific lens. The lens is the story of a married man with a family that depends on his work on Zwigato. It would have been easy for this film to turn into a case study of the Gig Economy and the changes it needs.

But Zwigato isn’t a product of that nature. The film primarily makes its points from the perspective of a Gig Worker, but also sprinkles in perspectives from company management. And in my opinion, that’s the beauty of this film. It doesn’t generalize an entire economy through one single character. Instead, it stays committed to the central story, letting audiences reflect on the human cost of gig workers.

Zwigato (2022) Plot Overview: The Grind of a Delivery Rider

The film follows Manas Mahto (Kapil Sharma), an ex-factory floor manager, working as a food delivery rider to make ends meet. However, he is still struggling to do that because he has two kids, a wife, and an ailing mother to look after. Coupled with that, the ice-cold nature of the apps keeps putting new challenges in front of him, which only makes things worse.  

Although he has a caring wife, Pratima Mahto (Shahana Goswami), who takes on the work of a masseuse to support him, he doesn’t like seeing her work. His pride is coming in the way, but the piling bills can’t be ignored either. The rest of the movie explores whether he manages to turn things around and if their relationship survives the changing dynamics.

The Writing in Zwigato (2022): Uncomfortably Real Without the Preachiness

The film is written by Samir Patil and Nandita Das, while the latter has also produced and directed the film. Its writing is brilliant as it manages to keep you invested throughout while also ensuring the characters feel incredibly real. For instance, there’s one scene where a character tells Manas about a Government job.

He goes to find out about that form from two guys selling various forms, while an internet cafe suggests he look online. Once Manas and the cafe owner start searching, other guys also start entering the premises to check whether they have found the right form. That was a masterclass in subtle writing in my view, as it captures the massive appeal of Government jobs and the cutthroat nature of competition in India.

​Another impactful moment is Manas’s confrontation with the Zonal Head of Zwigato (Sayani Gupta). He begins the conversation with how his ratings have come down drastically. To this, she says that she believes him but can’t unblock his ID. As he displays his anger towards the company, she talks about unemployment in the country and reminds him that they get their payment on time without facing discrimination of any kind.

​She eventually tells him to leave and look at the line at their office while doing so. Before exiting, he cuts through the corporate spin, saying, “In India, there is a line for everything, even if you pay half the amount”. It is a sharp dig at the company’s policy of forcing penalized riders to take half-pay deliveries to recover their ratings.

​Zwigato has also woven in the pain points of Gig Workers, such as not assigning them orders when they leave their zone for a little time or orders popping up at inconvenient moments, quite brilliantly. It looks like a product that isn’t just well researched but also amazingly executed.

Nandita Das’s Direction: Grounded Realism Over Cheap Hooks

The film’s direction by Nandita Das is superb for the most part. It keeps you gripped through almost the entire runtime. However, in an era of hyper-fast social media edits, Zwigato’s slow, deliberate pacing might test the patience of some viewers. But it’s a deliberate choice designed to make you feel the weight of Manas’s daily life.

One of her directorial choices that especially impressed me was how she chose to end the film. She could have ended the film with a shockingly devastating tragedy or a Bollywood-style comeback where he takes down the entire corporation. Instead, the director chose to end it in a realistic manner with Manas becoming supportive of his wife’s new job and sharing a quiet moment on his bike as a train passes in the background.

​Through this scene, the film leaves you to wonder about the state of the workers stuck in this economy with no fallback options, while also quietly pushing you to find the positives in every situation.

Where the Film Falters: The Dream Sequences

In my previous section, I mentioned how the film runs seamlessly for the most part. However, there is a train sequence that appears twice in the movie as part of Manas’s dreams. The camera work and editing felt way too fast-paced and strange for my liking.

​If I were to guess, I could see the director using this sequence to portray Manas’ internal state: overwhelmed and overburdened. While I appreciate the potential vision, the execution felt way too out of sync with the film’s otherwise grounded visual language.

Zwigato (2022) Cast Performance: Kapil Sharma & Shahana Goswami Hit Home Runs

Before stepping into the shoes of Manas, Kapil Sharma had a huge challenge in front of him. The challenge was ensuring that when people watch Zwigato, they don’t see a popular comedian, but rather a guy struggling to make ends meet. We have all seen and loved Kapil’s comedy efforts, but here he does a fantastic job portraying a gig worker.

In fact, he has showcased Manas’ desperation and frustration so well that you look forward to scenes where he is in a lighter mood. However, my favorite scene is when he delivers pizza to a disrespectful customer. Even though he is wearing a mask in the scene, you can see the anger in his eyes as he exits the screen.    

On the other end of the spectrum, Shahana Goswami as Manas’s wife, Pratima, is the star of the show. She has wonderfully portrayed a woman who just wants to do right but doesn’t often get the backing she deserves. From showcasing sadness to putting up an optimistic fight against circumstances, her work is great.

My favorite scene of hers is when she shows up as a masseuse at a client’s house. Impressed by the client’s house and wealth, she adjusts her hair and dress before officially meeting her. That small reaction beautifully conveys how an unsure person might behave while meeting an influential personality.

Final Verdict: Is Zwigato (2022) Worth Watching?

Zwigato is surely worth watching if you’re a fan of arthouse cinema. It’s certainly a nice addition to the list. If you are looking for a fun watch, you will likely find better options. The film isn’t interesting in the traditional sense, but it’s definitely impactful.

​It will stay in your mind long after the credits roll, and make you wonder about the workforce feeding our cities, fighting against a cold system with quiet dignity and little support.

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