Vicky Donor
Vicky Donor | |
---|---|
![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Shoojit Sircar[1] |
Written by | Juhi Chaturvedi[2][3] |
Produced by | John Abraham[4] |
Starring | Ayushmann Khurrana Yami Gautam Annu Kapoor |
Production company | Rising Sun Films |
Distributed by | John Abraham Entertainment Eros Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time | 125 mins |
Country | Template:Film India |
Language | Template:Film Hindi |
Budget | ₹5.23 crore (US$630,000) |
Box office | ₹18.25 crore (US$2.2 million)(9 days worldwide gross)[5] |
Vicky Donor is a 2012 Bollywood comedy film directed by Shoojit Sircar and produced by actor John Abraham.[6] The film stars Ayushmann Khurrana, Yami Gautam and Annu Kapoor in the lead roles. It was released on April 20, 2012 on around 750 screens in India,[7][8] and received positive response worldwide.[7] Vicky Donor has been declared hit at the Indian box-office [9][10][11]. It is based on the concept of sperm donation and infertility.[12][13]
Plot
Dr Baldev Chaddha (Annu Kapoor), a well qualified fertility expert, runs a fertility clinic and a sperm bank in Dariyaganj, New Delhi, that guarantees a high quality and specialized sperm for the purpose. Unfortunately he has more failed cases to his credit than successes. A healthy, high performing donor is the need of the hour. Vicky Arora (Ayushmann Khurrana), who is the only son and of no financial support to Dolly, a widow, who runs a small beauty parlor from home.
As luck would have it, a small brawl in the colony brings Dr Chaddha and Vicky, face to face, where Chaddha, concludes that Vicky could be THAT donor he has been looking for. From here on, Chaddha’s days and nights are spent in convincing Vicky to become a donor till he finally gives in. Vicky finds his love interest in Ashima Roy (Yami Gautam), a Bengali bank worker and divorcee who is afraid to retail her heart. But soon their hunky dory world comes crashing down because of Vicky's past as a donor. With a brief emotional roller coaster ride, Vicky Donor is a light-hearted take on the subject of sperm donation.[14][15]
Cast
- Ayushmann Khurana as Vicky Arora
- Yami Gautam as Ashima Roy[16]
- Annu Kapoor as Dr. Baldev Chaddha
- Dolly Ahluwalia as Mrs. Arora[17]
- Kamlesh Gill as Biji[18]
- John Abraham as Himself in song "Rum Whisky"
Production
Themes and development
Vicky Donor deals with the concept of sperm donation and infertility.[19] When questioned about the risky subject matter, Abraham responded "Basically, Vicky Donor is a romantic comedy between a Punjabi boy and a Bengali girl. But the concept is set against the background of sperm donation." Abraham hoped that the film could shed light on a serious issue still considered "taboo" in Indian society. Sircar said, "I want to take a light-hearted look at the taboo attached to infertility and artificial insemination". Before filming began, Sircar researched upon the plot themes for three years.[20]
Production
Despite the usual trend, Abraham did not take up the leading role in the film: "It was a conscious decision to not act in my first production because I believe producing a film is about creating quality content that I believe in."[21] Director Sircar suggested Khurrana, a video jockey and television host, for the role of Vicky; he was considered because he was popular among the youth, and also because the role required an authentic Punjabi characterization. Khurrana said, "[And] I am from Chandigarh, my Punjabi is fluent. I can read and write in it too."[22][20] Khurrana turned down three film projects to play the lead in Vicky Donor. To prepare for the role, he met several medical experts and donors to understand the concept of sperm donation; a major medical consultant specializing in the field was later inducted as a medical adviser for the film. Additionally, Khurrana studied acting and attended workshops with N.K. Sharma in Delhi.[20] It was later reported that Abraham would perform an "item number" in the film.[23] Commenting on the lead's performance, Abraham said "I am glad I cast Ayushmann in the lead. He's a complete natural, has all the trappings of a fine actor and has delivered a super performance. It doesn't seem like Vicky Donor is his first film." It was reported that the film's production crew would feature "the best technicians from Los Angeles", and acclaimed action choreographer J J Perry. Incidentally, Ayushmann who plays the lead role, successfully performed a task on reality show Roadies Season 2, which was sperm donation.[21]
Reception
Critical reception
Professional reviews | |
---|---|
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
FilmiTadka | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NDTV | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Zee News | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
DNA India | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Statesman | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Times of India | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
CNN-IBN | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bollywood Hungama | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rediff | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Indian Express | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Yahoo | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Tehelka | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
† indicates that the given rating is an average rating of all reviews provided by the source |
Vicky Donor received positive reviews from various top critics of India. It holds a '91%' fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Blessy Chettiar of DNA rated it with 4 stars and said - "Run to the nearest theatre and surrender yourself to the charm of Vicky and his team. This “Aryaputra” provides only good quality sperm…err… entertainment"[24]. Writing for FilmiTadka, Janhavi Patel gave it 4 out of 5 stars and wrote in her review - "Vicky Donor is one of the funniest movies in recent times and the most enjoyable cinematic experience you will have in a long time. It proves that an adult comedy can be made with class, ingenuity, and finesse. You can easily watch this twice!"[25]. Madhureeta Mukherjee of Times of India gave Vicky Donor 3.5 stars and said - "It takes a man to make a film like this, literally. Kudos to John Abraham for his brave maiden production. Thankfully, this sperm hits bullseye"[26]. Mathures Paul of the The Statesman gave the film three and a half out of five stars and wrote, "Vicky Donor is an admirable movie that is at once simple, emotional, daring and in your face."[27]
Box office
India
Vicky Donor collected ₹1.88 crore (US$230,000) on first day in India.[28] The film is made on an extremely tight budget and is expected to do good.[29] Vicky Donor showed good growth on Saturday as all India collections jumped around 35-40% and the film collected around ₹2.60 crore (US$310,000) nett taking its two day business to ₹4.50 crore (US$540,000) nett.[30] The film is getting tough competition from Housefull 2 and Hate Story in its first week of theatrical run in India.[31]Vicky Donor is 3rd film in 2012 after Paan Singh Tomar and Kahaani to receive such an acceptance by critics, multiplex goers and urban audience. Vicky Donor had a decent first weekend as it grossed around 7.75-8 crore nett over its first weekend as it grossed ₹3.25 crore (US$390,000)nett on Sunday.[32]
Overseas
Vicky Donor grossed a decent $350,000 overseas in 4 days though had a pretty wide release for a film like it of close to 125 prints.[33]
References
- ^ 'Every filmmaker lives for this moment'
- ^ So what’s a sperm?
- ^ Juhi Chaturvedi Filmography
- ^ "John Abraham turns producer with Vicky Donor". NDTV. November 10, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ Box Office Collections Of Vicky Donor
- ^ "John Abraham proud of his first 'baby'". Hindustan Times. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ a b Hate Story And Vicky Donor Have Dull Start
- ^ "Vicky Donor Cast & Crew". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ John’s sperm in demand!
- ^ http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Donor-s-Circle/940999/
- ^ Vicky Donor walks away with cake
- ^ 'Vicky Donor' a funny take on sperm donation
- ^ Vicky Donor? Na, Munnabhai MBBS is actually preferred
- ^ Vicky Donor review
- ^ 'Vicky Donor' sheds inhibitions on sperm donation
- ^ What a saas-bahu pair in Vicky Donor
- ^ http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110416/saturday/main1.htm
- ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/news/meet-kamlesh-gill-vicky-donors-modern-biji/251166-8.html
- ^ "John next production based on sperm donors". Hindustan Times. February 17, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Ayushmann's film debut as sperm donor". The Times of India. October 7, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ a b "John Abraham is looking for a Donor". The Times of India. November 9, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2012.
- ^ "Introducing John's new hero: Ayushman Khurana". Hindustan Times. February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ "John turns producer and item boy for sperm donors!". Daily Bhaskar. February 18, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ Chettiar, Blessy. "Review: Vicky Donor". DNA. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ Patel, Janhavi. "Vicky Donor Movie Review". FilmiTadka. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ Mukherjee, Madhureeta. "Vicky Donor". ToI. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ Paul, Mathures. "Donor 53!". The Statesman. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ Vicky Donor First Day Territorial Breakdown
- ^ http://videathink.com/social-media/twitter/verdict-vicky-donor/
- ^ Vicky Donor Shows Growth on Saturday
- ^ Housefull 2 Is First Choice Again This Week
- ^ Vicky Donor Has Decent Weekend
- ^ Vicky Donor Decent Housefull 2 On $5.75 Million In 17 Days