Meet the Surrogates of Bollywood

Kriti Sanon takes up surrogacy in her latest film, Mimi.

Directed by Laxman Utekar, Mimihas been designed as a mainstream film with a lot of humour, courtesy Pankaj Tripathi.

The film is certainly a big deal for Kriti as she plays the central protagonist and carries it on her shoulders.

While the topic of surrogacy is not common in Hindi movies, it has been done before. Joginder Tuteja takes a look.

Preity Zinta, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Two decades ago, Preity Zinta had decided to pick up a role not many would have dared to.

She had already played an unwed mother in Kya Kehna and in this Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji starrer, she was even playing an escort.

The Abbas-Mustan directed social drama was more about Preity consenting to give birth to Salman's child, and then ending up developing feelings for him.

The film was a hit.

 

Sushmita Sen, Filhaal

Meghna Gulzar made her directorial debut with Filhaal.

Sushmita Sen played a surrogate mother to Tabu's child in this sensitive tale.

Palash Sen and Sanjay Suri were the male leads.

It released in the pre-multiplex era, at a time when such films couldn't find an audience.

 

Divya Dutta, Life Express

Like Filhaal, Life Express also featured two female leads, Divya Dutta and Rituparna Sengupta.

While the former played a woman from the lower strata of society, the latter belonged to the upper crust.

The theme revolved around how Divya's womb was on 'rent' as Rituparna wanted to pursue her career.

Karan Janjani and Yashpal Sharma played the male leads.

The film came unannounced and disappeared.

 

Patralekha, Badnaam Gali

Made-for-OTT, Badnaam Gali released on Mother's Day.

Starring Patralekha and Divyendu Sharma, the film had its moments but did not make any noise when it released.

Despite its theme, Badnaam Gali was designed as a light-hearted tale.

 

Monika Panwar, Dukaan

While the film has been announced, one wonder when it will eventually go on floors.

The poster promised a dramatic tale about a woman's womb being for sale.

Writers Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal, who have written films like Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, make their directorial debut here and one waits to see the kind of sensitivity they will bring in this project.

Newcomer Monika Panwar stars in the film.