Shoojit Sircar admits being disturbed by ‘I Want To Talk’ box office numbers: ‘I never thought my film was in that niche category’

Shoojit Sircar‘s latest film I Want To Talk (2024), despite receiving critical acclaim, has failed to make a significant impact at the box office. Released on November 22, 2024, and later dropped on OTT platforms on January 17, 2025, the film stars Abhishek Bachchan as Arjun Sen, a marketing professional diagnosed with terminal laryngeal cancer. As Arjun grapples with his condition, the film follows his emotional journey, portraying his attempts to find meaning in his remaining days.
In an interview with NDTV, Sircar shared his thoughts on the emotional depth in his films, citing personal experiences and observations as the foundation for creating complex characters. He explained that while his films may be considered niche due to their unconventional storytelling, they resonate with audiences across different platforms. “I never thought my film was in that niche category,” he said, addressing the ongoing debate about the film’s classification.
Despite I Want To Talk’s box office struggles, Sircar remains committed to making films on his own terms. “Box office collections disturb you,” he admitted, reflecting on the impact of the film’s theater performance. However, with an increasing viewership on OTT, the director is seeing positive reactions, which makes him hopeful about the future of the film.
Abhishek Bachchan’s portrayal of Arjun Sen has been widely praised, with Sircar emphasizing the actor’s ability to bring realism and humor to a character facing life-altering challenges. The director also shared that his collaboration with Bachchan was based on their long-standing friendship, with the actor perfectly fitting the role.
As the film continues to find its audience on streaming platforms, Sircar reinforces the idea that I Want To Talk is not just about cancer but the universal need for communication, proving that sometimes all one needs is someone to talk to.