Screenwriter duo Siddhart-Garima advocate against ban on commercial surrogacy in ‘Dukaan’

Dukaan. Photo courtesy: PR Team

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IBNS-CMEDIA: The government should not ban commercial surrogacy, say Bollywood screenwriter duo Siddhart-Garima speaking about their directorial debut of ‘Dukaan’.

The film explores the riveting themes of basic freedom and the autonomy of the women involved in commercial surrogacy who have the power to ‘create’.

Set in the bosom of Gujarat, the film tells the narrative of Jasmine (Monika Pnawar), a young lady who embarks on a brave journey as a surrogate mother.

“This movie is from the point of view of the surrogate mother and through this movie we want to strike a balance between privileged and underprivileged sections of the society.

“And also highlight that commercial surrogacy is a very fruitful practice and it should not be banned by the government as it was a few years ago,” expressed the writer duo Siddhart-Garima.

“We want this movie to start meaningful conversations in the Lower House making some amendments to this bill.

“There is nothing wrong if someone is paying money to continue their lineage and someone is lending their womb for rent and bringing a new life for the parents. It is just that this practice needs to be regulated by the government so that neither party faces injustice.”

(From L to R) Soham Majumdar, Garima Wahal, Siddharth Singh and Sikha Ahluwaliya | Photo courtesy: PR Team(From L to R) Soham Majumdar, Garima Wahal, Siddharth Singh and Sikha Ahluwaliya | Photo courtesy: PR Team

The duo is well-known for their evocative narratives and has worked as screenwriters on films such as Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela (2013) and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha (2017).

In addition, they have written the lyrics for a number of films, including ‘Pinga,’ ‘Deewani Mastani,’ ‘Mohe Rang Do Laal’ from Bajirao Mastani (2015), and ‘Nainowale Ne’ from Padmavat (2018) to name a few.

The writer duo had previously collaborated as dialogue writers on filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s directorial Kabir Singh (2018) and wrote the lyrics for ‘Satranga’ for his most recent release ‘Animal’ (2023). 

Monika Panwar, Sikandar Kher, Soham Majumdar, and Monali Thakur and Vrajesh Hirjee in a cameo appearance are the headline cast of ‘Dukaan’.

Dukaan, produced by A Jhunjhunwala and S K Ahluwalia under Siddharth Garima’s Kalamkaar Picture Productions, will hit the theatres on April 5.

Earlier in February, Vanga unveiled the trailer of ‘Dukaan’.

(Reporting by Ayush Gupta/IBNS)