The 2022 film Yashoda is a fictional thriller that delves into the underbelly of the surrogacy mafia and its criminal activities. Samantha Ruth Prabhu takes on the lead role of Yashoda, a
courageous young woman who embarks on a thrilling journey to locate her missing sister.
The film unfolds at a luxurious surrogacy facility, where Yashoda agrees to become a surrogate mother, only to stumble upon a web of secrets and shocking revelations about the sinister operations within the surrogacy racket.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar plays the antagonist, adding intensity to the narrative. ‘Yashoda’ is a gripping spy film with a blend of action and suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The storyline not only explores the action-packed sequences but also unravels the complexities of the surrogacy underworld. While the film garnered significant success at the box office, particularly in Tamil Nadu, it faced challenges in international markets such as the US and the UK, where it did not perform as well.
The Positive Power Of Yashoda Movie:
The portrayal of female characters in the movie is commendable, showcasing their strength and resilience. One aspect I particularly appreciated was the departure from the typical trope where the hero rescues the heroine. Instead, the elder sister, a powerful female character named Yashoda, takes charge, engaging in intense fights and unveiling secrets to find her younger sister. Samantha’s portrayal of Yashoda is especially praiseworthy, showcasing her acting prowess and adeptness in executing well-choreographed action sequences. She has pulled it off so effortlessly and brilliantly. What sets the film apart is the empowerment of its female characters, emphasizing their agency and capabilities. The decision to portray Yashoda as a proactive and powerful lead adds depth to the narrative, challenging traditional gender roles in cinema.
Plot:
In a tightly controlled facility dedicated to surrogate mothers, Yashoda, an unsuspecting woman, stumbles upon a disturbing reality. Faced with challenging circumstances, the innocent Yashoda reluctantly agrees to become a surrogate mother, only to find herself caught in a web of mysteries and uncertainties. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, she encounters a doctor, the primary male lead, and an unexpected bond develops between them. However, Yashoda’s quest for understanding takes a dark turn when she discovers a series of mysterious deaths among the surrogate mothers.
Determined to unveil the truth, she investigates further and stumbles upon a chilling room filled with preserved fetuses. The villains, confronted by Yashoda’s persistence, reluctantly disclose their sinister activities and reveal the shocking backstory, with the doctor also turning out to be a partner of the criminal. As the layers of the narrative unfold, Yashoda’s past is laid bare. Originally aspiring to be a police officer, her dreams were broken because of financial constraints.
In a desperate attempt to support Yashoda, her sister becomes a surrogate mother and vanishes without a trace. Yashoda, driven by a desire for justice and a reunion with her missing sister, infiltrates the facility as a surrogate mother, determined to expose the dark truth behind the surrogacy racket. As Yashoda delves deeper into her mission to explore the surrogacy mafia’s secrets, she unveils their nefarious activities. The police, informed of the criminal activities, swoop in, apprehending the wrongdoers. In a heartwarming conclusion, Yashoda, amidst the chaos, finally locates her sister, who is giving birth. The film ends with a happy ending, celebrating the triumph of justice and the joyous reunion of the two sisters.
Negative aspects:
The director’s choice of exploring the surrogacy theme is refreshing, deviating from the often-explored topic of women’s empowerment. The initial grip on the story is evident, providing a promising start. However, as the narrative progresses, the movie loses its coherence, leading to a sense of confusion and questioning about the plot’s direction. While the incorporation of twists and turns in the storyline adds intrigue, an excess of revelations can become overwhelming and, at times, even disruptive. Despite the movie’s potential, the accumulation of these plot twists might leave us pondering the coherence of the overall narrative. After the interval, the narrative takes a predictable turn, and the unfolding events become somewhat clichéd, making it challenging to stay engaged. Yashoda’s ability to effortlessly uncover critical secrets amid a complex web of deception appears somewhat implausible.
The ease with which she acquires the supervisor’s tablet, gains access to the area where the fetuses are preserved, and obtains passwords to highly secure locations seems too convenient. The revelation of secrets occurs seamlessly, and the narrative fails to establish a genuine connection with the audience as the initial intrigue dissipates, leaving the storyline feeling disconnected and less engaging.
The most unbearable scene occurs when the villain inexplicably reveals all the plans and discloses the identities of their crime partners directly in front of the protagonist. This narrative choice, though prevalent in many Bollywood movies and serials, unfortunately, finds its way into this film as well. It’s a clichéd storyline that could have been approached with more creativity. The background sounds, especially the continuous play of Yashoda’s theme during fight scenes, sometimes become more noise than a complementary element.
This could have been managed more judiciously to enhance the viewing experience. Additionally, some scenes suffer from subpar visual effects, detracting from the overall quality of the film. While the action sequences are a standout feature, other departments fall short of expectations, leading to a sense of disappointment. Despite the film’s potential, these shortcomings in storytelling and technical aspects detract from its overall impact.
Despite its shortcomings and positive elements, I recommend watching Yashoda for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it draws inspiration from true events, providing a fictionalized perspective on the crime racket within the surrogacy mafia. Secondly, personal preferences play a significant role in determining one’s liking or disliking of the movie. Finally, to offer constructive criticism, it’s essential to experience the film firsthand. Also for female viewers who appreciate action-packed scenes by women, the numerous intense fighting sequences in the movie are likely to be a source of enjoyment you.
