The Signature REVIEW: Anupam Kher starrer is a slow-paced drama that doesn’t churn your emotions

Director: Gajendra Ahire

Writer: Gajendra Ahire

Star cast: Anupam Kher, Mahima Chaudhry, Neena Kulkarni, Annu Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey

Runtime: 100.06 minutes

Where to watch: On Zee5

The Signature Movie Review

Sometimes, love becomes a lifeline—one so essential that the thought of losing it feels like losing yourself. The Signature tells such a story, where Arvind (played by Anupam Kher) clings to his 35-year marriage to Madhu (Neena Kulkarni) as death comes to take her away. But when love stands against the inevitability of loss, can devotion triumph over fate?

Story

In The Signature, Arvind’s world collapses when his wife, Madhu, suddenly falls gravely ill. Faced with an unbearable reality, Arvind is willing to sacrifice everything to keep her alive. Yet, the film doesn’t follow the conventional path of pure sentimentality. Instead, it delves into the uncomfortable truths surrounding life, death, and the decisions we’re forced to make in moments of crisis. The film touches on themes of love, resilience, and personal sacrifice, but also reflects societal apathy, particularly toward the elderly. At its core, The Signature questions: Can love alone preserve what’s slipping away?

What’s good

The movie’s greatest strength lies in its unflinching depiction of uncomfortable realities. Scenes that highlight the indifference of Arvind’s son, citing financial burdens as an excuse to avoid saving his mother, hit hard. They reflect a broader societal disregard for the elderly, a painful truth often ignored. Such moments prompt reflection, forcing the audience to confront their perspectives on familial bonds and the value placed on human life. The dialogues are another strength, rich with poignant reflections on life, love, and loss. Certain lines strike a chord, elevating otherwise ordinary moments into profound reflections on mortality and relationships.

What’s not

However, The Signature struggles to maintain an emotional grip on its audience. For a film meant to stir deep emotions, the screenplay falters, feeling more like a series of loosely connected vignettes than a coherent narrative. The transitions between scenes are abrupt, and the pacing is uneven, which detracts from the emotional buildup. While the story is supposed to be high on sentiment, it often feels like it’s pulling at heartstrings that never quite resonate. Director Gajendra Ahire, despite his National Award-winning reputation, seems to have missed the mark in executing the emotional depth this story demands. The film often feels distant, as though it’s asking us to empathize but failing to truly immerse us in the characters’ struggles.

Performance

Anupam Kher, a seasoned actor with 525 films to his name, anchors The Signature with a performance that reminds us why he’s one of the finest actors of his generation. His portrayal of Arvind is filled with nuance and vulnerability, particularly in scenes where his character grapples with grief and desperation. Kher’s ability to convey emotion without overacting is remarkable, and his presence alone elevates the film.

Mahima Chaudhary makes a commendable return to the screen as Ambika, Arvind’s friend, and her performance is sincere. What makes her appearance especially noteworthy is the courage she displays in embracing her post-cancer look, bald and unapologetically strong. This is a powerful statement in an industry that often demands perfection, and Chaudhary handles it with grace.

Neena Kulkarni, Annu Kapoor, and Ranvir Shorey all deliver heartfelt performances, though their screen time is limited. Each actor brings a sense of realism to their roles, contributing to the film’s emotional core.

Conclusion

In the end, The Signature is a film that should have left a lasting emotional impact but falls short. Despite Anupam Kher’s exceptional performance, the film lacks the narrative coherence and emotional depth required to fully engage the audience. While it aims to be a heart-wrenching tale of love and sacrifice, the lack of emotional continuity leaves the viewer somewhat disconnected. It’s a film that shows moments of promise but fails to deliver the emotional catharsis one would expect.

Watch the trailer of The Signature after the review

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