The Signature Movie Review: Anupam Kher produces and stars in Gajendra Ahire's emotional family drama The Signature, a remake of the Marathi film Anumati, starring Vikram Gokhale (who had won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film). The film's plot resonates with anyone who has spent days or months in a hospital caring for loved ones, all while being burdened with the rising costs of treatment. However, The Signature focuses primarily on the emotional side of this crisis and only briefly touches on the unjustified expenses that relatives are forced to bear when they are helpless to resist. This is where the film should have centred its narrative, but instead, it opts to be a tear-jerker, stringing together one melodramatic sequence after another. The Signature: Anupam Kher Is Excited About Screening of Opening Film at Namaste Vietnam Festival.

Aravind (Anupam Kher) and Madhu (Neena Kulkarni) are preparing for a trip when Madhu suddenly collapses and is hospitalised. Days later, she remains unconscious and unresponsive, prompting the doctor (Manoj Joshi) to ask Aravind to sign an Advance Directive (ADR) to discontinue machine support, hoping that medication alone might save her.

Aravind is determined to care for his wife, regardless of the costs, even though his children cannot afford the escalating expenses. The rest of the film follows his struggle to find the money needed to keep her alive.

A Still From The Signature

In one scene, a fellow bystander, played by Ranvir Shorey, causes a commotion about the exorbitant daily cost of medicines the hospital is demanding. Having gone through a similar ordeal, I wished The Signature had explored this issue in greater depth, highlighting how, in this country, quality medical care in reputable hospitals is unaffordable for so many.

Watch the Trailer of 'The Signature':

While the film centres on the emotional toll on the loved ones, the deeper problem itself gets sidelined. Other plot elements are also introduced, such as the neglect of the elderly in favour of the young, but the film avoids addressing the larger question: Who is responsible for this crisis, where middle-class and lower-income families are forced to sell their assets just to care for their loved ones?

Instead, The Signature becomes bogged down in manufactured melodrama and emotion, repeatedly presenting tear-jerking scenes. I understand that with a theme like this, the emotional state of the characters needs to be conveyed. This is especially apparent in the final act, where the story takes an even more tragic turn, despite a glimmer of hope. However, this should not come at the cost of making the film feel stagnant and repetitive, which negatively impacts the pacing in many places. The making is also pretty ordinary.

A Still From The Signature

The performances are decent, with Anupam Kher dominating almost every frame and drawing the audience into his emotional journey. Annu Kapoor, who plays his supportive friend, becomes irritating after a point with his acerbic tone. Ranvir Shorey shines in his outburst scene. Mahima Chaudhary, who plays Arvind's former colleague, whose own crisis (that reflects actor's own real-life diagnosis) helps him make a crucial decision, is adequate. Talat Aziz composed two songs for the film, and I particularly enjoyed the track "Ghir Aaye Badariya." The Signature: Mahima Chaudhry ‘Laughs Through the Tears’ as She Joins Anupam Kher for Photoshoot.

'The Signature' Movie Review - Final Thoughts

The Signature is a film that could have been much more impactful had it delved deeper into the systemic issues that burden families during medical crises. While it does a decent job in portraying the emotional struggles of its main character, the narrative often feels repetitive and overly sentimental, missing opportunities to tackle more pressing social concerns. The Signature is streaming on Zee5.

Rating:2.0

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 04, 2024 10:51 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).