Zwigato: The Nandita Das-Kapil Sharma film earns spot at Oscar library

Released in March 2023, Nandita Das’ critically acclaimed film Zwigato, featuring comedian-actor Kapil Sharma as a food delivery, has now been invited to be a part of the prestigious library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Produced by Applause Entertainment and Nandita Das Initiatives, the film revolves around a resilient and relentless Manas Singh Mahto (played by Kapil), who after losing his job as a floor manager at a factory in Bhubaneswar becomes a food delivery rider, struggling with the app on his phone, and its rating and incentive system. Zwigato also features Shahana Goswami as a lead character.

The script of the film - written by Nandita and Samir Patil - has now been invited to be in the permanent core collection of the Library of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The screenplay of this thought-provoking film explores the impact of the food app service industry and its effect on the working class.  

Also read: Zwigato review: Nandita Das delivers a surprisingly good watch with Kapil Sharma and Shahana Goswami's film, sans superficiality  

The prestigious Oscar library provides a valuable resource for students, filmmakers, and writers. Zwigato was well-received by the audience and critics alike, who praised the film for its nuanced depiction of ordinary individuals, who power India’s economy. Before its theatrical release in March 2023, the film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival in 2022. This recognition further solidifies Zwigato’s significance and celebrates its contribution to the world of cinema. 

Also read: The Nandita Das Interview | 'Kapil & I Have A Natural Synergy'

Established in 2016, Nandita Das Initiatives (NDI) is a platform for art and cinema, with a conscience. Its aim is to tell compelling stories that are authentically local in their context but have a universal resonance. NDI’s first venture was Manto, a film about the life and works of the Urdu writer of the 40s, Saadat Hasan Manto. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2018 and is streaming on Netflix. The biographical drama film features Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rasika Dugal as the lead characters.