Ek Nirnay review: Subodh Bhave's performance is a saving grace in this insipid pregnancy drama

Director duo Abbas-Mustan’s Hindi film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001), starring Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta, was about the dejection of a couple who couldn’t have a child.

Actor Shrirang Deshmukh’s Marathi directorial debut Ek Nirnay… Swatahcha Swatahsathi tells the story of Dr Ishaan (Subodh Bhave) and Manasi (Kunjika Kalvit), who go through the same helplessness.

This is not to accuse the film of being a rip-off of the 2001 movie as the similarities between both end right there. The point is that Chori Chori Chupke Chupke was released almost two decades ago. In today’s times, this subject, at the most, suits only the typical, tear-jerker daily soaps.

The setting of Ek Nirnay is modern day Pune. The lifestyle of its characters — in terms of costumes, houses, language and amenities — is contemporary.

But the subject itself is quite regressive. It is born out of Ishaan’s mother’s (Suhas Joshi) obsession of seeing him and Manasi become parents. It would have been understandable if she was someone who had never experienced the joy of becoming a grandmother. But she already is one since Ishaan’s elder brother (Deshmukh) has two kids.  

Sadly, the character of a fine veteran actress like Joshi is just reduced to lamenting about Ishaan not being able to become a father. In fact, every time she comes on the screen, she pressurizes Ishaan and Manasi to ‘try’ for a child. It becomes unintentionally funny after a point of time.

On the other hand, Dr Mukta (Madhura Velankar-Satam) who is initially liberal and rebellious, promptly abandons these traits later on. She has an unusually strong desire to become the single mother through her ex-husband, whom she once willingly divorced for not being able to live her life according to her will. Somehow, she is not willing to undergo IVF cycles or adopt a child.

What affects the film more is the lacklustre narrative and presentation. There comes a point when we are presented with a series of long sequences with dry conversations, or characters preaching. This is enough to test your patience and induce sleep.

Furthermore, the screen is almost stagnant during most of these talks as the cinematographer limits his experimentation. There is scope for creative camerawork even in a film taking place indoors most of the times. But we don't see it in Ek Nirnay.

Ek Nirnay, however, isn’t completely a downer. After the story is built up, this reviewer was kept interested in knowing how the puzzle is solved. The penultimate moments are a bit touching. It doesn’t have the kind of overwhelming effect the makers would have liked because of the long journey the film takes to reach there.

The performances ensure that the film is watchable, at the least. The reliable Subodh Bhave underplays his act and expresses the conflict of his character through body language and expressions. But his choice of films is becoming questionable in recent times. Barring Aani… Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (2018), in which he was brilliant, he has been a part of a series of unimpressive films. Let's not even talk about the regressively annoying TV show, Tula Pahate Re.

Madhura Velankar-Satam gets to play a prominent character after a long time. She is expressive, but never overdoes her part. Suhas Joshi’s earnestness manages to override the serious issues with her character.

If only the content matched the performances, Ek Nirnay could have been a much better decision for weekend viewing. But it's not, clearly.