Over the years number of films were made where one of the centrals characters is shown battling with a terminal disease. The disease keeps changing in films but the overall narration is similar. The positivity of the patients and the sufferings of the surrounded persons are shown to evoke viewer’s sympathy. One more movie, Salaam Venky, hits the theatres with a similar plot where a mother and child’s battle of fighting a terminal disease is attached to a social cause, organ donation. Also there’s a talk around Euthanasia, mercy killing put in simple words. #SalaamVenky is based on The Last Hurrah by #SrikanthMurthy. It’s inspired by a true story about a young guy fighting a rare genetic disease called Duchene Muscular Dystrophy.
Sujata Prasad (Kajol), a mother of a terminally ill child Venkatesh alias Venky (Vishal Jethva), is fighting against destiny. Left in lurch by her husband (Kamal Sadanah) for supporting a ‘dead investment’, her son Venky. She leaves his house while husband keeps their daughter Sharada (Riddhi Kumar), though by crookedness. Usually persons suffering from Duchene Muscular Dystrophy live for 13-14 years but Venky’s will power and Sujata’s grit, Venky is 23 years old now. He wants to donate his organs for the needy including his blind girl friend Nandini (Aneet Padda). For that he wants to end his life. The Euthanasia factor is discussed in detail and the mother fights a case with the help from a hospital doctor Shekhar (Rajeev Khandelwal). The lawyer (Rahul Bose) tries to evoke public opinion through his media friend (Aahana Kumra). The case if fought in the court but the public prosecutor (Priya Mani) opposes the mercy killing petition and the judge (Prakash Raj), though offers sympathy, rules against the Euthanasia petition.
Some stories are excellent on paper and not necessarily they’ll look that outstanding when ‘translated’ on screen. Of course director Revathi’s direction depicts sincerity but the happenings do not evoke sympathy. Some scenes are shot lyrically and the ailing son and mother’s fight and make up scene is heart wrenching. The social causes discussed in the film are not very new thus unable to invoke awareness. Filmy dialogues like ‘kal ho na ho’, or ‘aaj khush to bahut honge tum’, ‘zindagi lambi nahi Badi honi chahiye’ etc try to lift the mood. Music is passable while the background music is jarring at times. Kajol delivers yet anther fabulous performance. She has used ‘silence’ very effectively. The battle within her are well portrayed. Her other mind is played by Aamir Khan and apart from giving a sedate performance his presence lifts the scenes. Vishal Jethva once again delivers a power packed performance after Mardaani 2. His facial expressions are fabulous and he seems to be flourishing, acting wise, in the compsny of Mukherjee sisters (First Rani and now Kajol). Priya Mani, Prakash Raj, Rajeev Khandelwal, Rahul Bose, Ahaana Kumra are all seasoned artistes and they are very good here too.
Though a bit flawed, Salaam Venky is definitely a one time watch, especially for Kajol and Vishal Jethva’s acting.
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