Though not a biopic per se, Salaam Venky celebrates the short but the ‘big’ life of a late Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient. Importantly, it strikes a humble conversation over euthanasia.
Rating: 3 / 5
By Mayur Lookhar
Zindagi lambi nahi, badi chahiye. (Life needn’t be long, but it ought to be big). A simple English translation is not enough to explain the thought. A person’s life can’t really be summed up in 136 minutes.The disclaimer states that it is based on an incredible true story, but Salaam Venky [2022] isn’t a biographical film per se. Venkatesh’s life, his story mirrors many, but it is his undying spirit that separates him from the rest. Actor-filmmaker Revathy never met him, but she taps into that spirit to tell the true larger than life story of the late K. Venkatesh (24).
It’s a story that she was moved by when she read Shrikant Murthy’s The Last Hurrah [2005]. She was keen to explore the inspiring story, maybe even imagining herself as Sujata – Venkatesh’s mother. After expressing an initial interest, the acclaimed actor-filmmaker couldn’t crack the script. Her dream was cut short. 14-15 years later, the late Venkatesh resurfaced in her life. In her own words, the filmmaker said, “No, not this book”. Perhaps Revathy was exhausted from the earlier attempt. Maybe, it was too much of an emotional ride. However, destiny has its ways to find you. Screenwriter Sameer Arora was God-sent, rather Venkatesh-sent angel who compelled Revathy to finally tell the inspiring story.
They shift the story from Hyderabad to Mumbai. Thankfully, they didn’t change the names of the principal protagonists. Revathy picked Vishal Jethwa as his Venky Krishnan and Kajol as her Sujata. The tone is not natural, but it’s the journey that counts. She taps into the late Venkatesh’s love for chess, cinema to create an ailing but an excitable, tad dramatic titular character. The Hindi milieu makes Venky a Bollywood fan. Naturally, Rajesh Khanna’s Anand [1971] and Shah Rukh Khan’s Kal Ho Naa Ho [2003] are part of the conversation. His Duchene muscular dystrophy didn’t stop him from admiring Arnold Schwarzenegger. His muscles were weak, and they only got weaker, but the image of a young Venky dragging his heels to a lighthouse along with his blind childhood bestie Nandini is scary yet uplifting. Don’t lose sight of the metaphor.
After the early setbacks, Venky and Sujata found able support in a friendly neighbour, a wise guruji [Anant Mahadevan], and Sharada [Ridhi Kumar], who reunites with her mother and older brother after many years. A benevolent Sikh pharmacist even offered 50 % discount on medicines. There is no dearth of well wishers in Venky’s life.
Revathy’s greatest quality as a filmmaker is her sensitivity, humanity. She has the ability to bring people together both on and off screen. Though far-fetched, but Revathy creates a family in a hospital. Venky’s pleasant, joyful personality helps him forge a bond with Dr. Shekhar [Rajeev Khandelwal], nurse Clara [Maala Parvathi]. Later, Sanjana [Aahan Kumra], a top media journalist and a struggling lawyer Parvez [Rahul Bose], too, get attached to this family. This camaraderie was evident in Revathy’s last film Aye Zindagi [2022], where she only acted. It’s this team spirt, sense of belonging that draws audience to Revathy’s films and also create a positive energy around a grim situation.
That’s not to say that the film is pandering to escapism. Be it Phir Milenge [2004], Aye Zindagi, and now Salaam Venky, Revathy’s film don’t shy from educating on the ailments and the pain that comes with it. Director Anirban’s Bose Aye Zindagi sensitized us on the struggle of a liver cirrhosis patient. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is fatal, It’s death like slow poison where all muscles stop working. Revathy adopts a simple approach to sensitize people on Dmd.
Though incurable, Salaam Venky puts up a fight for one’s right to die with dignity. It strikes a humble conversation over euthanasia, and the positive impact it could have on needy lives. The latter aspect draws parallel with Aye Zindagi. Both are true stories though. No rabble rousing, but maybe, Salaam Venky takes a tad dramatic route to pass its message. Even the judge [Prakash Raj] tells the petitioner’s advocate to present his arguments without much drama. Though it addresses a larger cause, perhaps this drama takes one a bit away from the enduring family experience in the hospital.
Vishal Jethwa left the audience traumatized by his evil act in Mardaani 2 [2022]. Recently, we had seasoned actor Govind Namdeo revealing how playing a rapist in films impacted his personal life. Jethwa was barbaric as Sunny in Mardaani 2 [2019]. A Venky though enables him to atone for his toxic mardaani (masculinity) in the YRF feature.
Venky [Jethwa] is largely a positive guy but he has his odd breakdown moment too. Your heart goes out to him then. Venkatesh’s love for films is genuine, but Venky’s [Jethwa] expression is partly playing to the gallery. We need the man to shine more than the film buff. However, the chess lover in Venky is brought out nicely. As the character gradually loses body language, Jethwa banks on his still eyes to communicate with the audience. Jethwa shows his human side, his range and perhaps erases the dark memory of him as Sunny.
The blind childhood friend Nandini is an interesting character. Perhaps, it’s part of the fictional element to the story. We were later told that it is semi-fictional. Debutante Aneet Padda looks bright as a sunshine. She wins you over with her screen presence, innocence and still performance. Ridhi Kumar is the other young talent who shines brightly. All due respect to the leads, but perhaps these young girls brining the joy in Venky’s life and the film.
Popular actor Rajeev Khandelwal gives a timely reminder of his prowess. Prakash Raj delivers another intense act. Though brief, Raj and Revathy give you some ‘major’ reel couple goals. Aamir Khan is brilliant in his special appearance. It leaves us with Kajol.
For a woman who frets at the mere idea of playing a grieving mother, did it make her the right choice to play Sujata? Kajol’s perfectly justified in her inhibitions. Since the real Sujata couldn’t afford to break down, Kajol, too, puts up a brave front. Maybe, Revathy needed that positive infectious energy of Kajol. But that energy is transmitted more by Sharada, Nandini and Dr. Shekhar. After being the helicopter parent in Helicopter Eela [2018], Kajol comes out more like a best buddy to her dying son in Salaam Venky [2022]. The teary moments and the partly furrowed face rekindled memories of Kajol’s illustrious actor-mother Tanuja. The director braves to touch upon certain uncomfortable personal side to Sujata. Kajol’s reaction is perhaps befuddling. However, the real Sujata had a bigger battle to tackle than worry over a petty relationship. Kajol’s sincere but a tad below expectations.
Noted cinematographer Ravi Varman adds an immersive visual element to the human-interest story. Mithoon’s music is thematic but not vintage. It’s not the songs, but Salaam Venky [2022] deserves a salaam [salute] for striking a humble conversation over a larger social cause. Thank you Revathy for bringing Venky into our lives long after he is gone.
