by With the entire India locked down for the upcoming 21 days, it is good news that some Hatke movies are trending on the internet. One such fun and light hearted comedy that is sure to keep you entertained is Shukranu in ZEE5. Shukranu is directed by Bishnu Dev. As must be clear from the title, Shukranu revolves around the concept of Sperm but no, it is not about sperm donation rather it is about forcible sterilization. The story dates back to 1975, the era of emergency, when the Government was forced to take strict measures to control the ever growing population.
IMAGE SOURCE: ZEE5 ORIGINALS
The plot of the story is based on compulsory sterilization carried out by doctors aided by police in order to meet targets set by the government to control the population boom.
The main characters of the series are Divyendu Sharma, Shweta Prasad and Sheetal Thakur. Divyendu Sharma plays the role of Inder who is an unmarried man. A team of police and Doctors forcibly get hold of him and Sterilize him for good just a couple of days prior to his wedding to Reema (played by Shweta Prasad). This entire incident has been presented in a hilarious way.
The story piques interest when Inder manages to go through the wedding ceremony without anybody knowing about the procedure he underwent. Obviously, Inder is too ashamed to admit what happened with him.
Due to him being sterilized, Inder is under immense mental trauma and hence is not able to perform in the bedroom out of anxiety. Eventually, a lot of people get to know about Inder’s private life and keep giving him lots of advice as to how to overcome his performance anxiety. Finally, after talking to a doctor Inder engages in intercourse. Thereafter, Inder leaves for the city in order to work. He gets a letter from his wife stating that she is pregnant. This comes as a shock and betrayal to Inder as it is obvious that his wife is cheating on him.
IMAGE SOURCE: ZEE5 ORIGINALS
After the betrayal, Inder starts falling for his city neighbor Aakriti (Sheetal Thakur). Aakriti is unaware that Inder is married and then starts the saga of an extra marital affair. One fine day, his wife Reema turns up at his doorstep unannounced and she is very much pregnant!! The comic way in which Inder juggles between two women is good to watch. Reema’s pregnancy remains suspense till the end.
Divyendu proved his mettle yet again in Shukranu. I would say Divyendu’s outstanding acting has to a good extent made up for the flaws in script writing. He is effortlessly charming and a natural actor. Shweta Prasad on the other hand, I feel has been underutilized in the movie.
Now, there is a major twist towards the end which I would not reveal here but that turn of events is sure to leave you in splits. All in all, it is a different kind of a quirky, tragic-comedy that you can enjoy watching once. It is airing on ZEE5.
