Here arrives an exploration of a very unexpected, almost taboo topic on Indian screens. Here are a few things the viewer should know. One, As 'manly' as the subject is, it is touted to have a tender heart and a soulful edge to it. Two, The movie has been given a U/A certificate(surprising coming from the Indian censor board). Three, the movie is about Sperm donation and yet not at all the horny stuff one usually gets. As 'manly' as the subject is, it is touted to have a tender heart and a soulful edge to it. The film had created quite a stir with it's interesting trailer. Also, it is John Abraham's debut as a producer. One tends to wonder if, coming from the Indian markets, such a rarely touched issue as sperm donation has been handled in the mature way that it warrants. The market certainly seems to say so. The film has already opened well in domestic and international markets and has been declared a critical and commercial hit. So, is this sperm and heart package worth it? The answer is a big positive. Written by Juhi Chaturvedi and Directed by Shoojit Sircar and starring Ayushmann Khurrana (of MTV fame), Yami Gautam(a few roles in television and a movie in the south) and Annu Kapoor, Vicky Donor is a lighthearted take on serious stuff with surprisingly humane treatment.
Plot:
Vicky Arora is the typical happy go lucky 'Punjabi munda' living in Delhi with a frazzled beautician mother and a Grandmother with surprisingly modern sensibilities. He is pursued relentlessly by Dr. Chaddha, an infertility specialist who also runs a sperm bank, to donate sperm. After initial reservations, Vicky finally gives in. He becomes a regular donor after tests show that his sperm count is insanely high. Juggling between his conservative mother and a love affair with Ashima, a recently divorced bank employee, Vicky manages to rake in the moolah donating sperm. After struggling with the cultural reservations of their parents (Ashima is a Bengali), Vicky and Ashima get married. From here, Vicky's life gets complicated as conservative society and insecurities turn his life into a twisty ride of emotional turmoil. Will Vicky be able to solve his problems? Watch the movie and find out.Performances:
The movie's strength lies with it's charming ensemble as much as it lies with the intrigue over the near taboo topic. MTV VJ Ayushmann exudes charm. He is perfect for the role. Everything from the Punjabi lingo to his perfect underplay of emotions add up to make Vicky a believable and humorous character to behold. Yami Gautam is a pleasant breeze of acting prowess. She plays her part to the hilt and also manages to look ravishing throughout. She and Ayushmann are great as the lead pair. She is perfect foil for Vicky as a modern independent divorcee with insecurities. The best acting job done is by Annu Kapoor ji. Dr. Chaddha is a character which one can always remember after watching the movie, as one of the best doctors to ever arrive on the screen. His Punjabi accent, spirited dialogue delivery and clever lines (with frequent usage of the word sperm) give Dr. Chaddha all the health a character needs. Annu Kapoor can find himself to be in the race for the best supporting actor awards. Dolly Ahluwalia as Vicky's mother, Kamlesh Gill as Biji and the actors who portray Ashima's father and aunt do a swell job. Their presence in the movie is as important as the three lead characters. Each one of them has their own scene stealing moments. The movie gets it's soul from the combined and consistent effort put in by the actors. One of the best ensemble performances ever to hit Indian screens.
Writing and Direction:
One has to award Brownie points galore to writer Juhi Chaturvedi for crafting a clean screenplay from a topic that could have well made a movie full of sleaze. What one sees is a wholesome and lighthearted take on a taboo topic. Though one goes to the theatres expecting a rib tickling ride, he/she will find out that there is more to the movie than just laughs. Instead of focusing on sperm donation, the writer has used it as a plot device for the love story that forms the core of the movie, which is commendable. There is a charming emotional undertone that tugs at the heartstrings with zero effort. The movie is filled with clever lines and humorous situations which act as the base for a deeper, heartwarming story. One has to commend the writer for crafting a sufficiently mature screenplay from a subject considered reserved for adults and yet convince the conservative Indian censor board into giving just a U/A certificate (Hats of to the board too). Director Shoojit Sircar gives the screenplay, the treatment it deserves. He has managed to visualise the screenplay, fuse it with reality and yet remain true to the lighthearted undertone. Not one scene seems out of place and not one character seems out of context. Mr. Sircar has judiciously thrown in all the ingredients and made a soothing concoction out of such heavy matter. Though the movie goes through the occasional narrative lull, has a few logical flaws and also becomes a bit too fast before the climax arrives, charming characters, enjoyable lines, crisp dialogue and clean treatment of such an adult topic make up for them. The most enjoyable part is the mishmash of Punjabi and Bengali culture which provides as equal amount of humour as the main subject itself provides.
Vicky Donor is a must watch because of two reasons. One, because it is so rare that a topic like sperm donation comes on screen in India and yet be so clean. Two, it is undoubtedly the best romantic comedy to come from Bollywood in recent times. Vicky Donor is clean entertainment for ages 13+. It may not educate you on sperm donation or make you acquainted with the problems it entails and solves. But it, sure as hell, will leave your thirst for sensible cinema, quenched. Like Vicky says, "Sperm ke upar dekho, Heart naam ki cheez hoti hai". And the makers of Vicky Donor have done exactly that. Go for it folks. Bollywood is not generous in giving us such films. Simply "spermalicious".Rating - 4 on 5 (an extra half star simply because the writer has managed to look at the heart and make the viewer look at it, rather than the sperm)
No comments:
Post a Comment