Salaam Venky: Celebrating Life, Questioning Death

Revathi’s Salaam Venky is not just another emotional Bollywood drama; it is a film that dares to ask some of life’s most unsettling questions. What does it mean to live well? And perhaps even more importantly, what does it mean to die with dignity? Inspired by the true story of Kolavennu Venkatesh, a young chess enthusiast who suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the film is based on Shrikant Murthy’s book The Last Hurrah. At its heart lies a son’s extraordinary spirit and a mother’s unshakable strength.

The story follows Venky (Vishal Jethwa), a 24-year-old confined to a wheelchair, who faces his debilitating illness with remarkable humor and optimism. His mother, Sujata (Kajol), is the backbone of his life, tirelessly supporting him and standing by his side as he makes a difficult request: the right to die on his own terms through passive euthanasia. Their journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring, weaving together moments of laughter, despair, and resilience.

The film is based on the book The Last Hurrah by Shrikant Murthy, which is inspired by the true story of Kolavennu Venkatesh, a 24-year-old chess player and film buff, who suffered from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and his mother K. Sujata's struggles.

Venkatesh was wheelchair-bound since six, and later took to chess. At 24, when he was in final stages, he moved the Andhra Pradesh requesting euthanasia. He died in December 2004 - two days after the court rejected his plea.

Factually, the film remains close to reality in its depiction of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The physical struggles, reliance on a wheelchair, and breathing complications are shown with authenticity. The subject of euthanasia, however, involves some artistic liberty. In real life, Venky’s plea for euthanasia came years before the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that legalized passive euthanasia in India, and his request was denied. The film, however, presents the struggle with more hope than reality allowed. Similarly, while Venky’s wish for organ donation is highlighted, the medical truth is that his condition limited the possibility of donating multiple organs. Yet these liberties feel less like distortions and more like creative choices meant to emphasize the larger message.

Kajol delivers one of her most affecting performances, capturing Sujata’s quiet strength and emotional turmoil with restraint. Vishal Jethwa shines as Venky, embodying a character who is witty, lively, and deeply human. Revathi’s direction is sensitive and thoughtful, though at times the film slips into melodrama with its background score and emotional high points. Even so, the sincerity of the narrative keeps the viewer invested.

Ultimately, Salaam Venky is not just about death—it is about life. It is about celebrating the days one has, no matter how limited, and questioning the systems and taboos that deny individuals the right to choose how they want to go. While the film may not capture every detail of the real-life case with clinical accuracy, it succeeds in bringing dignity, empathy, and awareness to the conversation around rare diseases, euthanasia, and organ donation.