- Hindi film ‘Dukaan’ based on surrogacy is all set to release on Friday, April 5, 2024
GOWRI MANCKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, APRIL 4
Stating that surrogacy is not a business but medical help to give the joy of parenthood, Dr Nayana H Patel, medical director of Akanksha Hospital and Research Institute in Anand, a world renowned centre for surrogacy and IVF said so far she has delivered 1,763 surrogate babies.
Speaking at the promotion of Hindi film ‘Dukaan’, based on surrogacy, which is all set to release on Friday, April 5, she said, “No amount of monetary reward for the service of surrogate mothers will compensate their sacrifice. This is the last and legal option for childless couples to get the enjoyment of parenthood. The Central government has to iron out some hurdles in the newly-introduced Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules so that single women can also get its benefit and relaxing of stringent norms will boost the fertility tourism.”
Incidentally, the Union government had on February 21 amended the Surrogacy (Regulation) Rules, 2022, to permit married couples to use donor eggs or donor sperm for surrogacy — a move that provided a big relief to those with medical complications. This revoked a previous amendment made in March 2023 that banned the use of such donor gametes.
Directors’ cut
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, debutant director duo Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal, has talked about how the upcoming movie is different and why they chose to not go for a big Bollywood name.
“Even though many Bollywood and Hollywood films have been made on surrogacy, none of them have shown surrogacy in a better manner so far. Those who have worked on the subject or the films that have come on surrogacy that have just touched the topic have no facts or research involved. We drew inspiration from true incidents unearthed through extensive research. Venturing into the heart of Gujarat, the epicenter of commercial surrogacy, we immersed ourselves in the lives of surrogates, gathering tales that would form the backbone of our film. We met ladies, who have given birth to babies via surrogacy four to five times,” the duo added.
Synopsis
Set in Gujarat, ‘Dukaan’ unfolds the poignant tale of Jasmine (portrayed by Monika Panwar), a young woman embarking on a courageous journey as a surrogate mother. Through Jasmine’s narrative lens, the film delves into crucial themes of dignity, freedom of choice, and the autonomy of women engaged in surrogacy to eke out a living—a subject rarely explored in Hindi cinema.
Cast
Monika Panwar, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar and Monali Thakur in pivotal roles.
Music & Masti
The film has captivating music album, featuring soul-stirring melodies sung by Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bhoomi Trivedi, Aishwarya Bhandari, and the legendary Osman Mir. The whole music album of the film is composed by talented Shreyas Puranik.
The film produced by A Jhunjhunwala and S K Ahluwalia under banner Waveband Productions and Siddharth Garima’s Kalamkaar Picture Productions, will release theatrically on April 5 this year.
