Tumko Meri Kasam Movie Review: A meandering and overly long courtroom drama

This film, written and directed by Vikram Bhatt, fictionalises the story of Ajay Murdia, the founder of the nationwide chain of fertility clinics, Indira IVF, while incorporating some real facts of his life and career into the narrative. With the support of his wife Indira (essayed by Adah Sharma), Ajay (his younger character is played by Ishwak Singh and older by Anupam Kher) after quitting his secure government job opens a clinic in Udaipur that offers treatment for infertility. Subsequently, they scale up their operations and offer IVF facility to those seeking to bear children. Though originally a pathologist, Ajay is considered to be a pioneer in providing low-cost fertility treatment and eventually opening a chain of Indira IVF across the country.

The film, produced by Indira Entertainment (Ajay Murdia’s sons Nitiz and Kshitiz are credited as producers), perhaps set out to celebrate Ajay, who inspite of his modest beginning is full of ideas and has big dreams. At some point, the film also became a tool to portray a grand picture of a doctor, who apart from achieving immense success in his field of work also amassed a huge amount of wealth. The audience is informed about he making land deals, a board member of his company getting an astronomical amount as monthly paycheque and more such things.

The narrative was also keen to incorporate how his heart beats for women, who face harassment because they can’t get pregnant. It briefly focusses on how he believes that a woman should not be blamed for their inability to bear a child as the male partner might have a medical problem. But these are fleeting conversations in the course of this lengthy convoluted narrative that chooses to focus on an insipid court-room drama. It banks heavily on flashbacks, loud background score and tacky CGI to keep the audience engaged.

The film casts Esha Deol as Meenakshi, a lawyer who is fighting Ajay’s case. He is charged in a hit-and-run case. To the audience, however, it is evident that he is framed by Rajiv, who was brought up by the doctor but now wants his downfall. However, it is not made clear why Rajiv bears such feelings for Ajay. Even though Meenakshi is entrusted with the task of fighting the case, she is frequently shown not having enough faith in winning the case. Later on, she takes a backseat with older Ajay (Kher) cross-examining the witnesses himself.

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The narrative is often incoherent and full of contradictions. Though fictionalised, the narrative is fixated with Ajay and his achievements. Had it shifted focus and explored the stories of those who take the help of IVF; the burden of such an expensive treatment; and the effect it has them, it would have been more impactful.

Tumko Meri Kasam Movie Director: Vikram Bhatt

Tumko Meri Kasam Movie Cast: Anupam Kher, Adah Sharma, Ishwak Singh, Esha Deol and Sushant Singh

Tumko Meri Kasam Movie Rating: 1.5 /5