Aye Zindagi

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*Aye Zindagi* (2022) is a poignant drama based on the true story of Vinayak 'Vinay' Chawla (Satyajeet Dubey), a young computer engineer diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. Desperate for a liver transplant, Vinay's journey takes him from Lucknow to Hyderabad, where he meets Revathi Ranjan (Revathy), an organ donation counselor who helps families of brain-dead patients donate organs. Despite his hopes being kindled by Revathi’s guidance, Vinay faces the harsh reality of finding a liver that meets his specific needs. The crux of the film revolves around his emotional journey, including the struggles of survival guilt after receiving a transplant and the challenges he faces in connecting with the donor's family.

The film carries an important message about organ donation, which remains a taboo in India. Many lives can be saved through donations, and the film tries to address this issue by following Vinay’s emotional and physical struggles. However, the film falters in its execution. The post-interval scenes, where Vinay suffers from survivor’s guilt and attempts to meet the organ donor’s family, feel contrived and lack the gravitas needed to convey the depth of his emotions. His actions, which include throwing tantrums over inconsequential matters, weaken the emotional impact and come off as unrealistic. The film’s portrayal of his emotional immaturity undermines the otherwise serious subject matter.

Similarly, the romance between Vinay and the night nurse, Manjula (Mrinamayee Godbole), is underdeveloped and feels forced. Despite Manjula’s professional restraint, Vinay’s behavior is juvenile and out of place for a character who is supposed to be a successful engineer. His emotional outbursts and sudden romantic proposals make him appear more like a teenager than a grown man facing a life-threatening illness.

Despite these shortcomings, the film is saved by the sincerity of its actors. Satyajeet Dubey portrays Vinay’s physical and emotional decline convincingly, capturing the despair and vulnerability of a patient in need of a transplant. Revathi shines as the compassionate organ donation counselor, delivering a performance that resonates with empathy and authority. Mrinamayee Godbole does justice to her underwritten role, despite the lack of character depth. Hemant Kher and Sawan Tak also provide solid support, with Tak playing the caring elder brother and Kher embodying a calm, compassionate doctor.

Though *Aye Zindagi* tackles a crucial issue, its execution falters due to weak writing and inconsistent character development. The film's heart is in the right place, and it does succeed in raising awareness about organ donation. However, with more nuanced writing and a stronger emotional core, it could have been a more impactful film. Despite its flaws, the film's message remains important, and its performances are commendable.