Dukaan.(2024).Hindi.
Director: Director’s Full Name: Siddharth Singh & Garima Wahal
Cast: Main Cast List: Monika Panwar, Sikandar Kher, Monali Thakur, Soham Majumdar, Vrajesh Hirjee
Dukaan (2024) is a resonant #DramaDirectedDebut by the acclaimed writing team #SiddharthSingh and #GarimaWahal that navigates the emotionally complex landscape of #SurrogateMotherhood within a tightly-knit Gujarati community. The film introduces Jasmine (#MonikaPanwar), a resilient young woman whose painful past leads her to enter surrogacy as a pragmatic means for survival. Through her role as surrogate to Diya (#MonaliThakur) and Armaan (#SohamMajumdar), Jasmine gradually forms an unexpected bond with the unborn child—igniting a gripping moral quandary when she chooses to reclaim that connection.
At its heart, Dukaan centers on Jasmine’s fierce pursuit of dignity and agency, exploring the clash between financial necessity and emotional attachment. Her evolving relationship with Sumer (#SikandarKher), a sympathetic ally, and her supportive network of surrogates and professionals ground the narrative in humanity. Vrajesh Hirjee, Geetika Tyagi, and supporting cast members add textured nuance to the ethical and emotional tapestry.
Thematically, Dukaan interrogates autonomy, empowerment, and the commodification of motherhood through a compassionate lens. Its tone is emotionally potent and socially conscious, balanced with moments of lightness rooted in cultural authenticity. Anirban Chatterjee’s cinematography vividly captures both the vibrant Gujarati milieu and the quieter interior landscapes of longing and resolve, while Shreyas Puranik’s score deepens the emotional resonance.
Monika Panwar anchors the film with a layered performance—imbuing Jasmine with vulnerability, strength, and conviction. The ensemble supports the narrative effectively, lending credibility to each emotional beat. While critical reviews note narrative unevenness, the film’s earnest ambition and cultural specificity make it stand out.
Dukaan (2024) is a resonant #DramaDirectedDebut by the acclaimed writing team #SiddharthSingh and #GarimaWahal that navigates the emotionally complex landscape of #SurrogateMotherhood within a tightly-knit Gujarati community. The film introduces Jasmine (#MonikaPanwar), a resilient young woman whose painful past leads her to enter surrogacy as a pragmatic means for survival. Through her role as surrogate to Diya (#MonaliThakur) and Armaan (#SohamMajumdar), Jasmine gradually forms an unexpected bond with the unborn child—igniting a gripping moral quandary when she chooses to reclaim that connection.
At its heart, Dukaan centers on Jasmine’s fierce pursuit of dignity and agency, exploring the clash between financial necessity and emotional attachment. Her evolving relationship with Sumer (#SikandarKher), a sympathetic ally, and her supportive network of surrogates and professionals ground the narrative in humanity. Vrajesh Hirjee, Geetika Tyagi, and supporting cast members add textured nuance to the ethical and emotional tapestry.
Thematically, Dukaan interrogates autonomy, empowerment, and the commodification of motherhood through a compassionate lens. Its tone is emotionally potent and socially conscious, balanced with moments of lightness rooted in cultural authenticity. Anirban Chatterjee’s cinematography vividly captures both the vibrant Gujarati milieu and the quieter interior landscapes of longing and resolve, while Shreyas Puranik’s score deepens the emotional resonance.
Monika Panwar anchors the film with a layered performance—imbuing Jasmine with vulnerability, strength, and conviction. The ensemble supports the narrative effectively, lending credibility to each emotional beat. While critical reviews note narrative unevenness, the film’s earnest ambition and cultural specificity make it stand out.