From 'Mimi' to 'Good Newwz': Bollywood films about surrogacy and parenthood that broke stereotypes

New film ‘Mimi’, out now on Netflix, is getting a lot of admiration for its portrayal of the complex subject of surrogacy in a nuanced way. In the film, Kriti Sanon plays the role of a dancer who agrees to be a surrogate mother for an American couple in exchange for Rs2 million (Dh98,944).

The film is an adaptation of the Marathi film ‘Mala Aai Vhhaychy’ (I Want to Be A Mother), that released in 2010. Here’s a look at several other Bollywood movies that have also dealt with the concept...

‘Good Newwz’: The 2019 film ‘Good Newwz’ is a comedy-drama directed by Raj Mehta and based on the concept of in-vitro fertilisation. Starring Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Kiara Advani and Diljit Dosanjh, the movie revolves around two couples with the same surnames pursuing in-vitro fertilisation and waiting for their babies. However, trouble ensues when due to an error the women end up pregnant with babies that doesn’t belong to them biologically.

‘Vicky Donor’: Shoojit Sircar’s romantic-comedy ‘Vicky Donor’, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam with Annu Kapoor in a pivotal role, is a story about the edgy adventures of a sperm donor. Released in 2012, the concept is set against the background of infertility within a Bengali-Punjabi household. Khurrana’s character broke many stereotypes as he played the role of a donor.

‘I Am’: In Onir’s critically acclaimed anthology ‘I Am’, a segment titled ‘I Am Afia’ is on the subject of surrogacy. Starring Nandita Das and Purab Kohli, the film was released in 2010. The film portrays a single woman who wants to be a mother but is scared of how society will treat her unconventional journey. Unable to trust or wait for a man, her search is defined with her identity made whole through the singular feminine experience of motherhood.

‘Filhaal’: Meghna Gulzar, daughter of lyricist Gulzar and actress Raakhee, made her directorial debut with ‘Filhaal’ in 2002. The film was ahead of its time when romantic genres were only accepted in Bollywood. Meghna boldly took on the sensitive topic of surrogacy in a tender manner. The film gives a nuanced portrayal of the surrogacy process, and simultaneously, shows how all this complicates interpersonal relationships and how motherhood affects women. Tabu and Sushmita Sen are seen in powerful roles as best friends who are always there for each other. When Tabu isn’t able to conceive due to birth complications, Sen offers to be the surrogate mother. As the movie progresses, it shows conflicts between the two best friends.

‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’: Starring Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, and Preity Zinta in the lead roles, this film reached a wider audience due to the multi-starrer cast and commercial viability. Directed by Abbas-Mustan, released in 2001, the movie had a melodramatic approach to surrogacy. A married couple hires a woman to be their child’s surrogate mother. However, things get difficult for the couple when the woman falls in love with the husband and insists on keeping the baby. The film was inspired by the story of ‘Doosri Dulhan’, one of the first films made on surrogacy.

‘Doosri Dulhan’: This 1983 film was way ahead of its time. The film revolves around a childless couple who hire a woman to carry their child. Directed by Lekh Tandon, the film had popular actors Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, and Victor Banerjee in lead roles. The film was inspired by the American film ‘The Baby Maker’.