Nandita Das on Zwigato: Unemployment causes anxiety at a global level

National Award-winning actress and filmmaker Nandita Das says that with her upcoming film Zwigato, she intends to address the global issue of unemployment and the tough life of the common man in the post-pandemic era.

The story of the film revolves around a food delivery man named Manas and his wife, and how they struggle to survive by doing odd jobs to provide for their two children. The story captures the everyday struggles of people who are often overlooked and hidden in plain sight. But amid the hardships, there are moments of joy, shared laughter, and love that make life worth living.

Nandita was present at the trailer launch of the film on Wednesday in Mumbai, along with the lead actors of the film, Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami. Producer Sameer Nair was also present at the event.

Talking about the core idea of the film, Nandita said, "Unemployment is a global issue and everyone is dealing with it, especially post-pandemic. In the film, we address it, but it is not just about people without jobs. There are people who do certain jobs not because of their choice, but just to survive. Unemployment causes anxiety at a global level, and it is happening in our country as well."

Speaking more about the film, Nandita added, "Our work culture has also changed. Earlier, in traditional workspaces, there used to be a bond between colleagues, and if you had a bad day, you could discuss it with people around you, who were supportive. Now, while there is an upside to the gig economy, there is a negative side to it as well. All that food delivery executives have is their phones. They are on their own, and technology has taken over everything. It's toxic."

"The challenges are magnified in a country like ours, where not everyone is well educated.When traditional and technological advancements get mixed up, it creates a different level of conflict. So, people will be able to relate to a lot in the film," the filmmaker further added.

Zwigato is produced by Applause Entertainment and also stars Gul Panag, Sayani Gupta, and Swanand Kirkire. It releases in theatres on March 17.