Cast: Divyendu Sharma, Shweta Basu Prasad, Sheetal Thakur

Director: Bishnu Dev Halder

Rating: ***1/2

Divyendu Sharma in Bishnu Dev Haldar`s emergency era comedy film 'Shukranu' is Zee5's latest offering. It follows the story of a man who is sterilized forcefully in the population control initiative that went on between 1975 - 1977 in India. The film is a satirical take on the emergency events and revolves around the life of a middle-class man Inder (Divyenndu) who becomes a victim of the forced sterilization government program on his way to his wedding. Afraid of telling the truth he anyway goes on to marry Reema (Shweta Basu Prasad).

But, due to his inability to reproduce Inder cannot fulfill her wife's sexual needs which results in their 'Suhaag Raat' and the following Raats going cold. Reema is convinced that her husband is having performance anxiety and they go to a doctor. Once he gets assured that sterilization has nothing to do with sexual pleasure Inder finally manages to have sex.

The happy days don't last long his life is turned upside-down when Reema announces that she is pregnant and except Inder no one in his family is aware of his sterilization so they rejoice. Between all the confusion and dilemma Inder finds solace in Akriti (Sheetal Thakur) a girl he liked way before marrying Reema and starts an affair with her. Things go interesting when Akriti who is unaware about Inder's marriage wants to marry him and what follows further in Inder's journey is the crux of Shukranu.

Directed by Bishnu Dev Halder, Zee5's Shukranu manages to engage the viewer from the beginning with its quirky characters, gripping storyline and leaves you guessing what happens in the climax. The 70 setup and the costumes looks quite believable and the screenplay of the film is also tight. The way the story unfolds it might remind you of Ayushmann Khurrana's 'Vicky Donor', and 'Shubh Mangal Savdhan' which revolve around the same taboo theme presenting them in a quirky way.

Shukranu explores the other side of Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota image prevalent in society. It talks about how a man tries to improve his sexual life by resorting to unconventional ways resulting in hilarious comical moments. The supporting cast of the film does a great job bringing the humor on the screen and the love triangle theme along with Inder's family who have no idea about his situation brings in a lot of fun too.

Divyenndu delivers another top-notch performance as the despaired yet hopeful a little doubtful Inder. He doesn't try to make you laugh but that job is done by his situation and convincingly so. Shweta Basu Prasad looks on point as the 70s filmy wife though her character had more scope but her job is fine. Sheetal Thakur as the hot-shot modern Delhi girl Akriti seems confident in her skin and looks the part giving an acceptable performance.

Overall, Shukranu is the right blend of comedy, romance and drama making up for an effortlessly entertaining film with some great writing the credit for which also goes to the director Bishnu Dev Halder. The film delivers the message it intended to but without resorting to too much melodrama. Watch it for the slice of life it offers with quirky and funny performances.