The Signature Review: “God forbid that even our enemies should see the face of a hospital”, we all say. But it’s a different story that we’ve all fought the battle to save our loved ones’ lives by filling hospitals with money, where answers are scarce… Our relationship with despair doesn’t break, and hope keeps breaking, and we keep fighting for our loved ones’ breath.

Anupam Kher’s film ‘The Signature’ is the story of a retired librarian, Arvind, who, like the pain of growing old and life falling like dry leaves from trees, fights and struggles. After retirement, Arvind builds a house with a courtyard in the village, leaving the flat life, on his wife Madhu’s suggestion. Now Madhu has planned to travel the world with Arvind. The entire family comes to see them off at the airport, but in that moment of happiness, Madhu faints in the check-in line… and Arvind’s life, relationships, and the existence of the elderly in society after retirement are put to the test.

After a brain stroke, Madhu’s breath depends on the ventilator. And to keep these breaths alive, Arvind needs money. But even his son leaves him alone. There are many moments in ‘The Signature’ story that make your heart feel like it’s being squeezed in your hands. When Doctor Manoj Joshi says that a doctor is a product in which investment has been made, hopes are shattered.

The disclaimer ‘DNR’ (Do Not Resuscitate) – if the patient’s breath stops on its own, do not use a ventilator to save them – seeing Arvind sign it with trembling hands makes you crumble.

Writer-director Gajendra Ahire has uncovered the threads of relationships in ‘The Signature’, which are like the beautiful picture of expectations from children, shattering in today’s society. Even Ranvir Shorey’s guest appearance track makes you realize how helpless a patient’s relative is in front of the hospital’s money-making system.

Mahima Chaudhary, as Ambika, brings both pain and hope to ‘The Signature’ story. When Ambika’s hair falls due to cancer, it feels like the glossy exterior of society has been stripped off.

Gajendra Ahire hasn’t tried to make ‘The Signature’ commercial; instead, he’s made it a window through which everything seems to be happening right in front of your eyes, unfiltered. The dialogues are as straightforward as we speak in everyday life. And believe me, being so simple, so straightforward is very, very difficult.

Anupam Kher is doing his 525th film with ‘The Signature’. And seeing his performance in this film, you get glimpses of his film ‘Saaransh’. It feels like a person who searches for small happiness in life, how he fulfills his relationships, truth, and honesty while still breaking.

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic work by Anupam Kher!

Mahima Chaudhary delivers a powerhouse performance as Ambika, bringing her character’s emotional depth to the forefront with raw honesty, making it profoundly moving.

Ranvir Shorey has done excellent work. Annu Kapoor, as Arvind’s friend Prabhakar, seems a bit overdramatic.

‘The Signature’ on Zee5 is like a window to truth; it’s a must-watch.