Movie: Mr Pregnant
Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Mic Movies
Cast: Syed Sohel, Roopa Koduvayur, Suhasini Manirathnam, Viva Harsha, Brahmaji, Raja Ravindra, and others
Music: Shravan Bharadwaj
Cinematography: Nizar Shafi
Editing: Prawin Pudi
Art: Gandhi Nadikudikar
Producers: Appi Reddy, RaviReddy Sajjala, Venkat Annapareddy
Story, Screenplay, dialogue and Direction: Srinivas Vinjanampati
Release Date: Aug 18, 2023
The concept and trailer of "Mister Pregnant" captured our attention. Throughout this week, the producers have also executed effective promotional efforts.
Now, let's delve into its strengths and weaknesses.
Story:
Gowtham (Sohel) is a tattoo artist. Maha (Roopa) has been in love with him since their college days and has repeatedly asked him to marry her.
After a few months, Gowtham proposes marriage if she agrees not to force him to have children. Gowtham lost his mother and father when he was a child, and his background prevents him from having children.
They get married, but Maha becomes pregnant. Gowtham then proposes that he carry their child instead of her. He wishes to have uterus transplant surgery.
Why did he take such an unusual step? What is his motivation for becoming pregnant and giving birth to their child instead of his wife?
Artistes’ Performances:
Surprisingly, Sohel did a neat job. His performance in the second half is far more convincing.
Roopa barely makes the cut. As Sohel's friend, Viva Harsha is okay. Brahmaji's comedy segment provides some laughs.
Technical Excellence:
The film has pleasant music by Shravan Bharadwaj. Cinematography is adequate. Editing should have been sharp.
Highlights:
Basic storyline
Couple of moments
Drawback:
Formulaic scenes at many places
Forced ‘villain’ role
Heroine’s passive character
Analysis
Is it possible for a man to become pregnant? If so, what biological and societal issues would he face? A man stepping forward to share the burden of his wife's pregnancy is not only novel but also intriguing. Thus, the fundamental premise of "Mr Pregnant" is undeniably unique.
The primary challenge for the filmmakers lies in convincing the audience of such an unconventional concept.
Srinivas Vinjanampati, the new director, has made an effort to provide a rationale for male pregnancy, but the outcomes have been mixed.
Even if we were to accept the proposed theory, the execution should be captivating to watch. While the director introduced a distinct angle, he resorted to a conventional style of storytelling.
The initial setup, with the protagonist being a tattoo artist and his popularity in that field attracting adversaries, is a common trope in masala films. Even the romantic subplot involving the heroine follows a well-worn formula.
The plot takes an intriguing turn when the hero agrees to marry the heroine and then proposes to carry her pregnancy. The narrative becomes more convincing from this point until the intermission.
By the halfway point, it is revealed that the hero has undergone a uterus transplant from his wife, making him pregnant. The remainder of the story explores how he navigates societal challenges and attempts to hide his pregnancy from relatives.
Here, the film incorporates standard comedy scenes that don't entirely align with the film's theme. For instance, a comedic sequence involving Brahmji and the hero's friend feels out of place.
The comedic scenes related to homosexuality are predictable. While they provide laughter, such conventional sequences should have been avoided.
Another clichéd aspect of the film is the hero's rival, a tattoo artist seeking revenge on the heavily pregnant hero. This addition leads to a fight scene, a common element in masala movies.
Nevertheless, the film concludes neatly. One positive aspect is the absence of explicit scenes, rendering it suitable for a family audience. The narrative is presented in a manner that caters to this demographic.
Despite possessing an innovative plot, "Mr Pregnant" shies away from adopting an innovative storytelling approach. It adheres to a typical treatment that doesn't fully realize the desired impact. While certain portions are convincing, others fall short.
Bottom line: Not Usual