GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
Illegal organ trade is a billion dollar business around the world and it is illegal to pay for organs, including in India. As per India’s Transplantation of Human Organs Act, near relatives like spouses, siblings, parents and grandchildren are allowed to donate organs. Strangers are not allowed to donate organs unless it is for a humanitarian cause.
There have been many reports in the media that many hospitals in the have been accused of being a part of an illegal organ trade involving impoverished villagers. According to an investigation report, ‘desperate’ young people are being lured to to sell their kidneys to wealthy patients. They allegedly receive payment for donating kidneys, violating Indian and international laws against organ trade.
- Writers Ravi Sachdev and Bhavik Bhojak deserve pat for daringly baring this inhuman and greedy act of a few medical practitioners
- Aanchal Shah plays the role of Meera very well with her sign language and facial expressions
- The film drags till the intermission and picks up momentum with the entry of Inspector Dilip Patel (Chetan Daiya) and his colleague Maddy Kava (Bhagirath Zala) for investigation in the hospital.
The operation involves forging identity documents and staging family photos, presenting donors as relatives of patients. This manipulation is designed to bypass legal restrictions prohibiting organ donations from strangers, the publication added.
‘Maunam, a Gujarati movie released on Friday, March 15, is based on a well researched story on this illegal organ trade. Thus writers Ravi Sachdev and Bhavik Bhojak deserve pat for daringly baring this inhuman and greedy act of a few medical practitioners. The duo has done a commendable work of weaving this plot into a film with rollercoaster ride of emotions, suspense, and intrigue to drive home this message.
The movie is directed by talented Ravi Sachdev in tandem with Deep Nayee and Bhavik Bhojak.
Raghav (Bhavik Bhojak), a supermarket employee, and Meera (Aanchal Shah), a journalist fall in love, marry and expecting their first child. When they go for a joy ride on a scooter, a truck hits their vehicle on a highway. Raghav hospitalized in an intensive care unit of Dr Ishan (Maulik Chauhan), who is involved in illegal organ trade. When Raghav asked about his wife Meera, Dr Ishan befool him that she was not admitted in his hospital. Dr Ishan asked his colleague to retrieve the organs from Meera, who was alive and kicking. In the ensuing duel Dr Ishan kills his colleague who was about to leave for home to celebrate his child’s birthday.
Aanchal Shah plays the role of Meera very well with her sign language and facial expressions. The film drags till the intermission and picks up momentum with the entry of Inspector Dilip Patel (Chetan Daiya) and his colleague Maddy Kava (Bhagirath Zala) for investigation in the hospital. A cornered Dr Ishan opens his heart on lady love Jhanvi (Charmy Kelaiya), her medical collegemate and her murder by Dr Parimal Manek (Kalpesh Patel), who was involved in illegal organ trading. Dr Ishan admitted that he resorted to illegal organ trading only to avenge the death of Jhanvi.
The film follows the enthralling journey of its characters as they navigate through a maze of emotions, secrets, and unexpected twists that kept the audiences on the edge of their seats after the interval.
With its gripping storyline, stellar performances, and meticulous direction, “Maunam” promises to be an edutainment with a difference.
Other popular actors are Minakshi Jobanputra, Allok Thakkar and Ruchita Chothani. The film is produced by Ritesh Mavani.
