The film, set in current times in Bhubaneswar, explores the life of Manas, an ex-factory floor manager. After losing his job, he is forced to work as a food delivery rider, grappling with the app on his phone and the world of ratings and incentives. He struggles to make ends meet for his wife, Pratima, his two children, and an ailing mother. Simultaneously, Pratima a homemaker, begins to explore different work opportunities to support his income, from being a masseuse for rich women to being a cleaner at a mall. The fears of these new experiences are coupled with the joys of newfound independence.[9]
It was released theatrically on 17 March 2023.[16] After the theatrical release, the Odisha Government declared the film tax-free in the state.[17]
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 11 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10.[18]Anna MM Vetticad in Firstpost wrote "Zwigato is a film of unassuming depth and unobtrusive commentary. Why on earth didn’t someone make this before?"[19]Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV wrote "Unpretentious but unfailingly pertinent. Zwigato hits home with equal measures of power and pathos."[20] SR Praveen from The Hindu wrote, "Deftly weaved. A poignant story of the new working class."[21]
Box office
The film collected gross of ₹2 crore-₹3.53 crore.[22][3]