BMB Music & Magnetics Ltd. and Anupam Kher Studio’s The Signature is the story of a middle-aged man who refuses to sign the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) papers of his wife.
Arvind Pathak’s (Anupam Kher) wife, Madhu (Neena Gupta), is comatose in hospital. Arvind has already spent a lot of money on her treatment and is at his wits’ end when he can’t arrange for more funds. Looking at the circumstances, the doctor (Manoj Joshi) asks Arvind to sign the DNR papers. Although Arvind’s son, Anand (Kevin Gandhi), advises his father to put his signature on the DNR papers, Arvind doesn’t agree. Rather, he tries more sources to collect money for his wife’s treatment, but draws a blank. One day, a dejected Arvind meets Ambika (Mahima Chaudhry) who at one time used to be his assistant in the library in which he worked as a librarian. She is a cancer survivor. Does Ambika come like a ray of sunshine in Arvind’s life? Or does she also advise him to sign the DNR papers? Does Arvind succeed in getting Madhu cured? Or does he finally put the signature on the hospital’s DNR papers?
Gajendra Ahire has written a story which tries too hard to activate the tear ducts. While the story is good in parts, it lacks novelty as one has seen such episodes as part of a larger story in earlier films. His screenplay is interesting at places only but it gets repetitive after a point of time. No doubt, the emotions do touch the heart at times but that just isn’t enough to make up for the routineness of the drama. Also, the entire drama looks more suited for a television serial. Another drawback is that it moves on a single track, making it quite monotonous. It is also depressing more than tragic. Absence of romance, humour, comedy, dance etc. makes the proceedings so uni-dimensional that it’s unfortunate. Gajendra Ahire’s dialogues are good.
Anupam Kher lives the role of Arvind Pathak. Annu Kapoor is wonderful as Arvind’s friend, Prabhakar. Mahima Chaudhry makes a lovely impression as Ambika. Although she comes in the last part of the drama, she delivers well. Neena Kulkarni gets very limited scope and is alright in the role of Madhu. Kevin Gandhi is okay as Arvind’s son, Anand. Sneha Paul is alright as Arvind’s daughter-in-law, Nalini. Manoj Joshi leaves a mark as the doctor. Ranvir Shorey makes his presence felt in a guest appearance as the rebellious patient. Sangeeta Jain (as Arvind’s daughter, Anjali), Varun Seth (as Anjali’s husband), Naval Shukla (as Arvind’s brother) and Anita Sehgal (as Arvind’s sister-in-law) lend fair support. Others are okay.
Gajendra Ahire’s direction is fair. Rohit Sharma’s music is so-so and the same is true of his background score. Gajendra Ahire’s lyrics are meaningful. Krishna Soren’s camerawork is alright. Deepti Devendra’s art direction is below the mark. Anant Maruti Kamath’s editing should’ve been sharper.
On the whole, The Signature is an ordinary fare which stands dull chances of appreciation as it offers no novelty whatsoever.
Released on 4-10-’24 on Zee5.