Revathi’s 136-minute directorial, Salaam Venky, is a slow-burn film that comes into its own post-interval. Inspired by the true story of Kolavennu Venkatesh, a young chess player with Duchenne muscular dystrophy or DMD, Salaam Venky is a beautiful take on palliative care for the terminally ill and a celebration of human grit and determination. It is based on The Last Hurrah, a book by Srikant Murthy.
Starring Vishal Jethwa of Mardaani 2 (2019) fame as Venkatesh aka Venky, and the brilliant Kajol as his mother Sujata, the film focuses on the last few weeks of Venky’s life as he tries to push for euthanasia, hoping to donate his organs before he dies.
This is not Revathi’s first venture as a filmmaker documenting legal battles tied to medical issues. She has also directed the critically acclaimed Phir Milenge (2004), which dealt with AIDS-related discrimination and was based on the Hollywood film Philadelphia (1993). With Salaam Venky, she once again takes the road less travelled, and how.
Nuanced, layered performances
Salaam Venky is an incredible depiction of the triumph of the human spirit. Jethwa shines as the bedridden Venky, whose ability even to speak is eventually affected by his condition. His refusal, however, to be anything but upbeat, and constant references to the iconic 1971 film Anand, adds a layer of pathos to his character.
Kajol delivers an outstanding performance as his mother, Sujata, who tries to keep herself collected and calm even as she deals with years of knowing that her son will never live beyond a certain age. The actor does a fantastic job of portraying Sujata’s conflicting emotions: From the struggle of wanting to see him live through another year to eventually starting the legal fight for his euthanasia and organ donation. It is also commendable to see the sensitive portrayal of this complex character by both Revathi and Kajol.
While the world is unkind to Venky, even his own family doesn’t spare him. His father (Kamal Sadanah), for one, calls him a ‘dead investment’. The film also shows how rare health conditions demand tremendous sacrifice from not just the patient, but also the caregiver.
Jethwa and Kajol are super convincing as mother and son. Their moments of shared laughter, and also the lurking realisation that every moment is precious, hold the film together. Rajeev Khandelwal as Venky’s doctor Shekhar, Rahul Bose as his lawyer Parvez and Aahana Kumra as a journalist pushing the cause on national television deliver solid performances. However, it is Aamir Khan’s cameo that sticks out like a sore thumb, as it feels unnecessary and does not quite add anything to the story.
Also read: Netflix’s Qala will break your heart. Irrfan’s son shares crackling chemistry with co-stars
Palliative care in Bollywood
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish (2010), too, was a take on euthanasia in India. Set in Goa, it looked at the last few days of magician Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) and the people most affected by his handicap and eventual death. While Guzaarish is grandiose in terms of sets, design and the opulent world it creates in quintessential Bhansali style, Revathi’s Salaam Venky is muted and feels real and accessible. From Piku (2015) to Waiting (2015), it has the potential to join sensitive Bollywood films that have made an impact on public conscience.
It remains to be seen if Salaam Venky breaks the Hindi film industry’s dry run, but it deserves a watch for its impactful and heart-warming performances.
(Edited by Zoya Bhatti)