Raising awareness on surrogacy through films

Films are considered as a medium of information, education and entertainment. A sensibly made film with a good narrative style, works as a catalyst in encouraging the viewers to change their minds and behavior. With its wide reach, films are the most effective means for change and transformation in society. If a film positively connects with the audience, then it not only entertains them but inspires and motivates them by creating awareness regarding an issue. Films related to social issues help to change the perception of the audience about an issue in society for example movies like Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Padman, Pink etc. these films depict the various hitches faced by women in various areas of life. Surrogacy is one of the issue where films have tried to portray some real life situations and the challenges faced by them regarding reproduction. This topic was first projected in Bollywood in 1983 by Lekh Tandon directed film ‘Doosri Dulhan’ where Shabana Azmi played the role of a prostitute. This film was rejected at that point of time by the audience. But the same idea was projected in 2001 by Abbas-Mustan movie ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’ became a commercially successful film. The study is based on content analysis of these films depicting the issue of surrogacy and trying to understand how these films in the time span of 18 years broadened the perspective of the Indian audience to accept the issue of surrogacy which was earlier considered as a taboo to acceptance.