Vicky Donor

Vicky Donor is a charming film. It has the unusual theme of sperm donation and infertility as its base on which the Director Shoojit Sorcar builds ... read more

Vicky Donor is a charming film. It has the unusual theme of sperm donation and infertility as its base on which the Director Shoojit Sorcar builds a love story between a Bengali girl and a Punjabi boy. These are two different angles that could have been made into two different movies but he manages to mesh them into one light -hearted bittersweet whole. He also effortlessly captures the life of two different families in two different cultures without going over the top.

Dr. Baldev Chadda who runs an infertility clinic hunts down Vicky, a true blue Punjabi boy. Pronouncing Vicky to be of true Aryan stock he rates his sperm top quality and convinces him to donate it to his clinic. He spawns a whole bunch of kids and becomes quite rich also in the process. In the meantime, he falls in love with the prim and propah Ashima a cultured Bengali girl. The two families of course oppose the match but finally come together. The real problem lies in the fact that Vicky had not told Ashima that he was a sperm donor. The rest of the movie works towards sorting out this issue.

The movie is snappy in its pace barring a few sluggish moments here and there. The music also is light and peppy keeping with the general mood

Ayushmann Khurana does not show any first film nerves and is a complete natural. Maybe that comes from the fact that he is at home in the Punjabi milieu being from Chandigarh. He is charming and likeable and a part of the new trend of non chocolate heroes who can still win your heart. Yamini Gautam as Ashima is dignified and vulnerable and makes you reach out to her in her distress. Anu Kapoor as Dr. Baldev Chadda cannot resist a bit of overacting but is quite perfect otherwise. His two sidekicks, Chaman and the nurse are worth looking out for.The real winners in the cast are the two ladies who play Vickys mother and grand mother. Their chemistry is so natural that you smile every time you see them on screen.

Vicky Donor is definitely worth a watch. Behind the comedy and the tenderness is also a tiny message on infertility and sperm donation and adoption that reaches your heart with a smile.
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Vicky Donor plays around with stereotypes with the ease of an adolescent fiddling with a pack of condoms for the first time-part knowingly; part un... read more

Vicky Donor plays around with stereotypes with the ease of an adolescent fiddling with a pack of condoms for the first time-part knowingly; part unknowingly and with loads of fun.

Vicky, played by debutant Ayushman, is a Punjabi from Delhis refugee colony who does nothing for a living while his mom runs a beauty parlor to make ends meet. He is spotted by infertility doctor Chadha, played by Anu Kapoor, who gets him to becoming a sperm donor. How this tryst with his swimmers gets Vicky onto a roller coaster of a ride is the crux of the movie.

The first half of the film is a treat- Punjabi/Delhi life with all its warts and quirks is on ample display, so is some superb characterization. Vickys widow mother, Chadhas assistant, the mandatory neighbor bimbo, the characters are all stereotypes, yet immensely entertaining. Dialogues and situations are slice of life, making light of the issue at hand. The film lessens the humor quotient post interval as it flounders a bit in trying to give the story a logical end only to find its footing in the climax. The high point for me was definitely the grand Bong vs Punju clash that culminates in a wonderfully chirpy wedding post intermission.

Ayushman and leading lady Yami make a very confident and impressive debut. Both deliver a good performance and have a pleasing screen presence. Anu Kapoor as Chadha is his reliable old self making the character his own, beautifully bringing merging the do-gooder doc and the shrewd businessman out to satisfy his patients at any cost. The film has too many songs which thankfully run only as background pieces without hampering the pace.

Yet, all is not well with Vicky Donor. While it is entertaining throughout, it handles the issue at hand with ambiguity that is unpardonable for a film that opens with a self-assumed moral purpose flashing statistics on infertility in the nation and aiming to de-stigmatize sperm donation. Infertility clinics like Chadhas in the film are as common as the local photocopy kiosks all across the country and not every experience in these places is as pleasant as in the movie. Why is artificial insemination the only answer to infertility when there are thousands of orphans crying for love and care from parents is beyond understanding and certainly beyond the scope of the makers of this film.

And then there is the cop-out ending making one wonder if the adoption would be as easily acceptable to the couple and the family if the child werent sired by the fathers sperm. Vicky Donor is afraid to take a stand on anything related to the sensitive issue and that is the movies greatest flaw.

Perhaps Vicky Donor does not intend to answer these more serious issues on infertility. The film is at the mental level of a carefree irreverent bachelor twenty-something; eliciting enough laughs from innuendos and hints at the donation.

Does it make a strong case for sperm donation? No. does it make for a good evening watch? Definitely yes. Go for it.
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Getting paid to shag quips the wife aghast, on realizing that her second spouse has been minting much money by voluntarily donating sperm, majorly ... read more

Getting paid to shag quips the wife aghast, on realizing that her second spouse has been minting much money by voluntarily donating sperm, majorly for the enviable cash incentive, and little bit, for social welfare (for the unfortunately infertile). Her impulsive outburst highlights a hidden rationale, but nearly making it the reason to tear apart the blossoming marriage shows dangerous intolerance toward an enormously generous cause.

Vicky Donor, churned out by Eros International and John Abraham is an applause-worthy picture not only because it makes serial-shaggers hope that they may actually go on owning a Hyundai, selling otherwise waste (and surplus) semen, but when put in a larger socio-cultural context, the film manages to diffuse a number of pre-conceived notions attached with the noble deed of sperm-donation.

Ayushman, of MTV fame, plays the eponymous character a charmingly brash and insensitive Dilliwala, who plays cricket for the local team, indulges in beer and shopping in malls whilst scoring with girls at will. While his mother pesters him to get a bona fide job, the grandmother one of the coolest in our movies, delightfully free of stereotypes, - adores him irrespective. When a certain Dr. Chadda who can spot a competitive sperm just like a diamond expert - running an infertility clinic notices the well-groomed Vicky Arora, he knows that hes spotted a catch who could revitalize his otherwise flagging clinic, which is not for the lack of demand, but lack of worthy supplies.

So Vicky agrees after much resistance but faces unexpected consequences for his free-flowing sessions. Falling in love has direct affects on his generous efforts in building families while ironically it shatters his own.

Superbly original in its theme, and inventive in terms of character-design, Vicky Donor is pleasant in most departments and leaves little to complain about. The various elements are knotted together by its very, very strong dialogue which remains sharply consistent and add enormous plausibility and wit to the drama which couldve been a bland documentary on social welfare.

In fact, in a rousing Two States-narrative style, the first half of the picture is a brilliant social commentary on the idiosyncrasies as well as stereotypical loudness of the Punjabis which is subtly countered by the Bong army, until the marriage of two cultures, both literal and metaphorical.

Since the director has an advertising background, the proceedings never seem dull and shots are crisply cut, adding both a sense of liveliness and pace. Its a fitting advantage when most of the cast lend lovable performances, making the picture one of those rare gems which immediately garner a cult tag, if not mainstream success.
Passing with an affluent mark sheet is Anu Kapoor our veteran old man, who digs in the role of Dr. Chadda, as the comically determined specialist whod extract the sperm he wants, even if its a sperm in the ass. His persistent cajoling works more because of the act, than because of what is written for the character. And the consistency in his part, right from the exaggerated accent to remaining committed to his job, irrespective of fluctuating sentiments, makes Chadda an iconic character who mouths quote-worthy lines.

The disappointment lies in the manner where Vicky is pushed as a cringingly narrow-minded youngster justified, but only to an extent who is impossibly resistant to the idea of donating sperm and making money from it. If only he had been shown a little more accepting, not only would the character come across a lot more endearing, but the film couldve been cut short by a few extra minutes.
And the girl. Yami Gautam is a pretty face and her act couldve been passable too, had the other performers been mediocre. But so good is the supporting cast that Yamis mediocrity stands apart like a sore sperm easily distinguishable for its inferiority.

Even Cyrus Sahukars cameo is a delightful little stint and makes for a character that highlights the ambitious trait of Vicky. The epic scene involving Vickys mother making a peg for her mother-in-law, before joining in herself, is an out-of-the-world stereotype-shattering clip, which shouldnt by any standard be taken as glamorizing alcohol, but for something symbolically poignant.

So we have another title to be proud of, another actor-producer with sensibilities well-intact, and a promising performer to watch out for.
For the cultural map that it is set in, and for the prejudices that it would dispose, for the wit it spontaneously explores and for the characters it memorably shares, Vicky Donor is a mini-milestone which must be laughed with and celebrated along.

PS. Overtly-sentimental climatic sequence couldve been done away with. If we can get used to sperms literally thrown at us, picture-imperfect closures cannot be so tough to handle.
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"Chi! Kitne leechad ho aap is the kind of initial feeling when somebody goes after sperms to make a movie. But then! The idea will now make million... read more

"Chi! Kitne leechad ho aap is the kind of initial feeling when somebody goes after sperms to make a movie. But then! The idea will now make millions Vicky Donor is Bollywoods best offering in 2012. The movie with the unconventional theme thus has a sperm rating of 4/5. Go for it.

Story
Vicky (sadda Dilli vhich munda) is a lazy clumsy Talented fellow who is underemployed as a beautician in his mothers clinic. Talented because his factory production defies the normal operative laws (factory being the body and the output being sperms, both of high quality and density). We get all this information from Dr. Chaddha (infertility specialist), who is doing a social business of increasing population. The first half is brilliant it generates a lot of laughter from all the sperm-talk b/t Dr and Vicky. Another source of laughter is the conversations between Vickys mother and Vickys grandmother. First half is light, enjoyable filled with great superb acting ultimate. Story takes a U-turn in second half and becomes fultu senti. Vicky marries his pyaar Ashima but then she cant conceive. Laughs turn into tears but the transition is quite unpractical for audience. But you will survive till The End.

Star Cast -
Anu Kapoor (plays Sperm Doctor) The famous anchor of Sa Re Ga Ma plays the role of Doctor Baldav Chaddha. You kind of just admire the sheer talent and energy the genuine actor has to pull off just anything - A Punjabi sperm selling doctor. Awesome performance.
Ayushmann Khurana (plays Sperm Donor) - Thank You Shaktiman. The rejected Roadie gave a good performance. His dialogue delivery when speaking colloquially is superb but is not impressive in senti scenes. He may give good competition to Ranveer Singh.
Yami Gautam (plays Sperm Receptor) Must say an impressive debut. Ankhon mein teri ajab si ajab si adaain hain comments from my companion. Liked
A part from these, movie would be incomplete without the Sperm-talkers (actors who played Vickys mother, Vickys grandmother, Vickys neighbour, Vickys girl-next-door) - All of them generated quality kich-kich.

Music is a big plus in the movie. And also the stereotyping of Punjabi and Bong cultures. I was quite impressed that both were made to gel quite nicely amidst a lot of fun generation, considering I too almost have the same case with me. This trick always works in India. Haina!

Vicky Donor is a movie supported by strong tenets unique story, great actors and good music. It follows the old school approach to entertain you, where in the main stress is on the story & characterization and not the technology, item numbers. It ends abruptly but sends out the message - Babumoshai, Zindagi Badi honi chahiye, Lambi nahin (a cult dialogue from the cult movie Anand).

Answers to the most important questions -
Should I go? Yes! obviously
Why? Quality Story, Good Actors, Nice Music (iske alawa kuch aur chahiye!!)
Then who will see this! Wannabe sperm donors, guys seeking MBA students who participate in every B-plan competition.
Kiske naam pe bikega Sperms and Sperms (ye bhout hai vaise! Aap bhi jaante ho aur hum bhi)
Words of wisdom Go with an energetic body and a cheerful mind, it will surely enhance your production. Am I sounding like x guru!

Ek round mein 15 min jaata hai. Watchman hoon superman nahi. watchman to Vicky (hope you too were on the same lines)

ps: Never thought a movie can find its subject matter out of a paragraph in a ninth class biology book. P.S. Verma page no. 98 - you deserved it. view less

Feel Good SpermIn the early 2000s I had a regular job, was not writing reviews but was still watching movies FDFS. I had figured out an instant tes... read more

Feel Good Sperm

In the early 2000s I had a regular job, was not writing reviews but was still watching movies FDFS. I had figured out an instant test to rate if a movie was really good. The test was that if after coming out of the theatre I was in such a happy state of mind that I felt like taking a day off from work and just day dream about the film that I just saw, that film was good. Vicky Donor reminded me that the test still holds up well.

Whats it about? Vicky Arora (Ayushmann Khurrana) is a good for nothing who lives with his mom Dolly (Dolly Ahluwalia) and Biji (Kamlesh Gill). He is spotted by Dr. Chadha (Annu Kapoor) who is looking for a healthy Sperm Donor. After much persuasion he Vicky is convinced into the business of Sperm Donation. The business starts booming, money starts flowing but then Vicky falls in love with Aushima (Yami Gautam) and then

How is it? Good.

My take Half of the films screen time is spent on the day to day life, interaction between Vicky and his family, Dr. Chaddha trying to convince Vicky to become a sperm donor and Vickys attempt in wooing Aushima. These parts are where the film peaks with its energy. The interaction between Dolly and Biji are the high points in the film followed by Vickys interactions with Dr. Chaddha. The film scores in tackling a subject like Sperm donation with utmost ease without an ounce of vulgarity or sleaze. The performances and the dialogues are what stayed with me after the film was over. When you see a good film and tell your friends about it most of the times you talk about the characters, the scenes you liked and the lines that cracked you up. This film has plenty of those. It is only when the conflict comes into the picture that the film loses its energy and is hurried towards a predictable ending. After that gem of a debut in Yahaan, Shoojit Sircar gives us a feel good film written brilliantly by Juhi Trivedi. Even though at times I feel fatigued by bollywoods obessesion with Delhi and Punjabi, a film like this comes along and still makes it work. Minor quibble that crosses your mind is that Vickys character has no grey area and he screams only once throughout the film and that too at his uncle. But since you are enjoying the ride so much you tend to ignore such minor flaws because there are so many things that work including a laugh out loud wedding sequence not seen in Hindi Cinema since Monsoon Wedding.

Word of mouth Iss film ka sperm count correct hain. A film about sperms that is fit for family viewing.

Rating - *** (Good)

Ticket Meter Worth 200 bucks.


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