Vicky Donor

Dr. Baldev Chaddha is a fertility expert who runs a clinic and a sperm bank in Daryaganj, Delhi, that guarantees high-quality sperm for couples. He has more failed cases than successes. He is on the lookout for a healthy and high-performing donor.

Vikram "Vicky" Arora hails from an Arora Punjabi family and is the only son of his widowed mother Dolly, who runs a small beauty parlour in Lajpat Nagar. They live with Vicky's grandmother. Vicky is a vagabond who provides no financial support to the household and starts searching for a job that will provide them with a better lifestyle.

Chaddha meets Vicky and likes his happy-go-lucky nature. He believes Vicky is the donor he has been looking for. He stalks him and eventually painstakingly convinces him to become a sperm donor. Though Vicky is hesitant at first, he accepts after being offered a high salary. Chaddha gets Vicky's semen sample tested from a lab and is delighted to hear that it was a sample with a very high sperm count. Chaddha decides to use it for his patients and starts getting high success rates. Vicky hides his career after facing ridicule from his friends but starts spending wildly renovating his house and the parlour. Chaddha too earns handsomely in this business.

Vicky meets an ambitious accountant, Ashima Roy, at the bank, and they fall in love after going out a number of times. They soon wish to get married, but as a divorced Bengali bank employee wanting to marry a carefree man from a loud Punjabi family, both face backlash from their families. However, they eventually manage to get everyone's approval. Vicky continues to hide his occupation and stops donating sperm after getting married, ignoring Chaddha, who continues to chase Vicky as he is his most successful donor.

In an ironic turn of events, the couple discovers that Ashima is infertile. Both of them get tested, but Vicky does not take the fertility test and is forced to admit to being a sperm donor. Taken aback by her husband's strange career, Ashima leaves for her paternal home. Vicky is heartbroken and cuts all ties with Chaddha.

The parlour is soon raided by income tax officers due to their frivolous renovations. Vicky is arrested on suspicion of handling black money but is bailed out by Dr. Chaddha, who reveals his occupation to his family members. Vicky's mother is disgusted and also apologises to Ashima. Vicky's grandmother and Ashima's father make them understand how Vicky's deed has helped many families bear children and ask them to have a progressive take on this.

Chaddha's assistant finds out the list of couples to whom Vicky has donated his sperm. Chaddha calls Vicky and Ashima to an event he has hosted where all families that Vicky helped bear children are present and helps Ashima see how his step helped them find happiness. He then tells them that one child is absent. This little girl has lost her parents in an accident. Her grandparents failed to contact Chaddha's clinic and had to send her to an orphanage. Dr. Chaddha suggests the couple adopt a little girl, Diya. Ashima begins to see reason and understands. The couple reunites, adopts the little girl, and Vicky continues to occasionally donate sperm for Chaddha's clinic.

{{Cast listing|

• Ayushmann Khurrana as Vikram "Vicky" Arora a.k.a. Vicky Donor
• Yami Gautam as Ashima "Tuna" Roy,{{cite news|author=Subhash K Jha |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/What-a-saas-bahu-pair-in-Vicky-Donor/articleshow/12848234.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721131316/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-24/news-interviews/31392173_1_saas-bahu-film-shoojit-sircar |url-status=live |archive-date=21 July 2012 |work=The Times of India |title=What a saas-bahu pair in Vicky Yadav |date=24 April 2012}} Vicky's wife
• Annu Kapoor as Dr. Baldev Chaddha
• Dolly Ahluwalia as Mrs. Dolly Arora, Vicky's mother{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110416/saturday/main1.htm |title=Ties of success |work=The Tribune |date=16 April 2012 |access-date=7 May 2012}}
• Kamlesh Gill as Biji, Vicky's grandmother{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/meet-kamlesh-gill-vicky-donors-modern-biji/251166-8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425212514/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/meet-kamlesh-gill-vicky-donors-modern-biji/251166-8.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 April 2012 |title=Meet Kamlesh Gill, Vicky Donor's progressive 'biji' |publisher=CNN-IBN |date=23 April 2012 |access-date=7 May 2012}}[https://archive.today/20120905133153/http://www.ndtvmovies.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20120201858&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=206384/ Vicky Donor's "drinking mom" is a hit among fans]
• Puja Gupta as Shweta (Vicky's Neighbour)
• Jayant Das as Mr. Roy (Ashima's Father)
• Swaroopa Ghosh as Pishi (Ashima's Aunt)
• Inderpal Singh as Tayaji
• Bupesh Pandya as Chaman (Dr. Chadhha's Assistant)
• K.V Rajni as nurse Lata.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-vicky-donor/article1-843754.aspx/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422004302/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Reviews/Anupama-Chopra-s-review-Vicky-Donor/Article1-843754.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2012 |title='Vicky Donor' is great fun |publisher=HindustanTimes }}
• Paramjyot Singh as Vicky's Mama Ji
• John Abraham as himself in the song "Rum Whisky Song Item Number Dancer"
• Vijay Meenu as Parent in Chaddha's hospital

}}

Vicky Donor deals with sperm donation and infertility.{{cite web

|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/John-next-production-based-on-sperm-donors/Article1-812746.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218030100/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/John-next-production-based-on-sperm-donors/Article1-812746.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2012|work=Hindustan Times|title=John next production based on sperm donors|date=17 February 2012|access-date=18 February 2012}} When questioned about the risky subject matter, Abraham responded, "Basically, Vicky Donor is a romantic comedy. But the concept is set against the background of sperm donation." Abraham hoped that the film could shed light on a serious issue still considered "taboo" in Indian society.

Sircar said, "I want to take a light-hearted look at the taboo attached to infertility and artificial insemination." Before filming began, Sircar researched the plot themes for three years.{{cite news

|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-07/news-interviews/30257028_1_ayushmann-khurrana-sperm-donor-film

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111010054814/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-07/news-interviews/30257028_1_ayushmann-khurrana-sperm-donor-film

|archive-date=10 October 2011

|title=Ayushmann's film debut as sperm donor|date=7 October 2011|access-date=19 February 2012

|work=The Times of India

|url-status=dead

}} Juhi Chaturvedi, creative director at advertising agency Bates, who wrote the screenplay based on her own idea, had stayed in Lajpat Nagar as a student at College of Arts, Delhi. As the script went through several drafts, she met a couple who run a noted fertility clinic in Mumbai.{{cite news |title=Mr Bachchan has approved one of my new screenplays |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/vivacity/61070-mr-bachchan-has-approved-one-of-my-new-screenplays.html |work=The Pioneer |date= 27 April 2012 }}{{cite news| title =Vicky Donor is born |work=Tehelka| url =http://archive.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=hub120512VICKY.asp|date=12 May 2012|volume=9|issue=19| access-date = 23 August 2013}}

Despite the usual trend, Abraham did not take up the leading role in the film: "It was a conscious decision to not act in my first production because I believe producing a film is about creating quality content that I believe in."{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/John-Abraham-is-looking-for-a-Donor/articleshow/10653925.cms

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104094857/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-09/news-interviews/30373777_1_first-film-priyanka-chopra-john-abraham

|url-status=live

|archive-date=4 January 2013

|title=John Abraham is looking for a Donor |date=9 November 2011

|work=The Times of India

|access-date=19 February 2012

}} Director Sircar suggested Khurrana, a video jockey and television host, for the role of Vicky; he was considered because he was popular among the youth. He "can read and write Punjabi too."{{cite web

|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Introducing-John-s-new-hero-Ayushman-Khurana/Article1-813255.aspx

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219032321/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Introducing-John-s-new-hero-Ayushman-Khurana/Article1-813255.aspx

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=19 February 2012

|work=Hindustan Times

|title=Introducing John's new hero: Ayushman Khurana

|date=18 February 2012

|access-date=18 February 2012

}} Khurrana turned down three film projects to play the lead in Vicky Donor. To prepare for the role, he met medical experts and donors to understand sperm donation; a major medical consultant specializing in the field was later inducted as a medical adviser for the film. Additionally, Khurrana studied acting and attended workshops with N.K. Sharma in Delhi. It was later reported that Abraham would perform an "item number."{{cite web

|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-john-turns-producer-and-item-boy-for-sperm-donors-2874314.html

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070856/http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/ENT-john-turns-producer-and-item-boy-for-sperm-donors-2874314.html

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=4 March 2016

|work=Daily Bhaskar

|title=John turns producer and item boy for sperm donors! |date=18 February 2012

|access-date=18 February 2012

}} Commenting on his performance, Abraham said "I am glad I cast Ayushmann in the lead. He's a complete natural, has all the trappings of a fine actor and has delivered a super performance. It doesn't seem like Vicky Donor is his first film." It was reported that the production crew would feature "the best technicians from Los Angeles" and acclaimed action choreographer J J Perry. Incidentally, Ayushmann who plays the lead role, successfully performed a task on the reality show MTV Roadies: Season 2, which was sperm donation.{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/glamtalk/vicky-donor-ayushmann-khurranna-makes-ramp-debut_114248.htm|publisher=Zeenews.india.com|title='Vicky Donor' Ayushmann Khurranna makes ramp debut|date= 28 June 2012}}

{{Main|Vicky Donor (soundtrack)}}

The soundtrack album features eight tracks which were composed by Abhishek-Akshay, Bann, Rochak Kohli and Ayushmann Khurrana. All of them contributed two tracks each. Actor Khurrana also composed and sung the track "Pani Da Rang" which was released as a single on 1 February 2012. The song was well received by music listeners. The song has a female version composed by Khurrana, and it was sung by Sukanya Purkayastha. The strings were later re-recorded by Aditya Kumar for online copy The entire album released by Eros Music on 29 February 2012.

The soundtrack album received positive reviews from critics. IBNlive.in says "Vicky Donor album tracks are worth listening and contain rawness."{{cite web |title=Music Review: Rawness forms core of 'Vicky Donor' |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/music-review-rawness-core-of-vicky-donor/247838-8-66.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413174438/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/music-review-rawness-core-of-vicky-donor/247838-8-66.html |archive-date=2012-04-13 |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com}} Ayushmann Khurrana won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer at 58th Filmfare Awards for "Pani Da Rang."{{cite web |date=4 April 2012 |title=iTunes - Music - Vicky Donor (Original Soundtrack to the Motion Picture) by Abhishek - Akshay |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vicky-donor-original-soundtrack/id516870953 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614053038/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/vicky-donor-original-soundtrack/id516870953 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 June 2012 |publisher=iTunes Store}}

Vicky Donor received critical acclaim upon release. Blessy Chettiar of DNA India rated the film with 4/5 and said, "Run to the nearest theatre and surrender yourself to charm of Vicky and his team. This "Aryaputra" provides only good quality entertainment."{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-vicky-donor_1678299|title=Review: Vicky Donor|last=Chettiar|first=Blessy|newspaper=DNA|access-date=13 April 2012}}{{rating|4|5}} Madhureeta Mukherjee of The Times of India gave Vicky Donor 3.5 out of 5 and said, "It takes a man to make a film like this, literally. Kudos to John Abraham for his brave maiden production. Thankfully, this sperm hits bullseye."{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Vicky-Donor/movie-review/12729176.cms|title=Vicky Yadav|last=Mukherjee|first=Madhureeta|newspaper=ToI|access-date=13 April 2012}}{{rating|3.5|5}} Mathures Paul of The Statesman gave the film 3.5/5 and wrote, "Vicky Donor is an admirable movie that is at once simple, emotional, daring and in your face."{{cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=407392&catid=47|title=Donor 53!|last=Paul|first=Mathures|newspaper=The Statesman|access-date=14 April 2012}}{{rating|3.5|5}}

The film had an opening at the box office worldwide and collected {{INRConvert|18.8|m}} on its first day in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4320&nCat=/|title=Vicky Donor First Day Territorial Breakdown|publisher=Box Office India}} Vicky Donor showed good growth on Saturday as all India collections jumped around 35%–40%; it collected around {{INRConvert|26.0|m}} nett taking its two-day business to {{INRConvert|45.0|m}} nett.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4323&nCat=/|title=Vicky Donor Shows Growth on Saturday|publisher=Box Office India}} The film got tough competition from Housefull 2 in its first week of theatrical run in India.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4324&nCat=/|title=Housefull 2 Is First Choice Again This Week|publisher=Box Office India}} Vicky Donor is the 3rd small-budget film of 2012 after Paan Singh Tomar and Kahaani to receive such an acceptance by critics, multiplex goers and urban audience. It grossed {{INRConvert|32.5|m}} nett on Sunday. Vicky Donor had a decent three-day weekend as it grossed around {{INRConvert|77.5|m}} nett over its first weekend.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4330&nCat=/|title=Vicky Donor Has Decent Weekend|publisher=Box Office India}}

It had a good first week of around {{INRConvert|135.0|m}} nett.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4351&nCat=/|title=Vicky Donor Heads For Big Success|date=21 April 2012|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=7 May 2012}} Vicky Donor had an excellent second week collecting around {{INRConvert|112.5|m}} nett taking its two-week total to around {{INRConvert|255.0|m}} nett.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4396&nCat=|title=Second Week Box-office Reports|date=28 April 2012|publisher=Box Office India}} Vicky Donor continued its strong run into the third week and totally grossed {{INRConvert|405.0|m}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4384&nCat=|title=Vicky Donor Continues Strong Run Emerges SUPER HIT|date=28 April 2012|publisher=Box Office India|access-date=7 May 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/boxnewsdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4485&nCat=/|title=Multiplex Contribution To Big Hits of 2012|publisher=Box Office India}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficecapsule.com/boxoffice-collections.aspx?collection_id=360/|title=6th Week Box Office Collections of VICKY DONOR|publisher=Boxofficecapsule.com}}

The film had a wide release with close to 125 prints and grossed a decent $350,000 overseas in four days.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4337&nCat=/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729150247/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4337&nCat=/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 July 2012|title=Vicky Yadav Decent Housefull 2 On $5.75 Million in 17 Days|date=18 April 2012|publisher=Box Office India}} It has done well in North America and decently in other markets.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/overdetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=4369&nCat=/|title=Housefull 2 Top Grosser of 2012|date=25 April 2012|publisher=Box Office India}}

Grosses are as follow:

• UK: £90,329 ($140,600)
• USA: $466,467
• UAE: $286,000
• Australia: $88,682

Total: $1.2 million (65 million){{cite web|url=http://www.top10bollywood.com/2012/04/vicky-donor-box-office-collections.html|title=Vicky Donor Box Office Collections}}

After the major critical and commercial success of the film, producer John Abraham announced that he was encouraged by the response of Vicky Donor and has therefore laid a sequel on the cards. The sequel titled Vicky Pet Se is about a man getting pregnant. However, the story was similar to the 2022 film Mister Mummy starring Riteish Deshmukh.

Dileep has bought the remake rights for the Malayalam version.Times of India. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131015105432/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-26/kochi/32868886_1_dileep-veteran-actor-thilakan Dileep to remake Bollywood hit Vicky Donor in Malayalam], The Times of India. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012. Telugu director Madhura Sreedhar bought the remake rights of the film for the Telugu version named Naruda Donoruda starring Sumanth.{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/regional/madhura-sreedhar-to-direct-telugu-version-of-vicky-donor-266930 |title=Madhura Sreedhar to direct Telugu version of Vicky Donor | NDTV Movies.com |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |date=13 September 2012}} It was remade in Tamil as Dharala Prabhu starring Harish Kalyan.

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|2317337|Vicky Donor}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|vicky_donor_2012}}
• {{Mojo title|vickydonor}}

{{Shoojit Sircar}}

{{National Film Award Wholesome Entertainment}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2012 films

Category:Films set in Delhi

Category:Films about sperm donation

Category:2012 romantic comedy films

Category:Indian romantic comedy films

Category:Films directed by Shoojit Sircar

Category:Hindi films remade in other languages

Category:Films featuring a Best Supporting Actor National Film Award–winning performance

Category:Films featuring a Best Supporting Actress National Film Award–winning performance

Category:Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award winners

Category:Durga Puja in popular culture

Category:Indian comedy-drama films

Category:Midlife crisis films

Category:Indian pregnancy films

Category:Films shot in Delhi

Category:Infertility

Category:2010s Hindi-language films