Dasharatham

Rajiv, a successful businessman determined never to marry, decides he wants a child. Annie, who needs money, agrees to carry it for him through artificial insemination. Written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil, the film took on surrogacy and single fatherhood in 1989, when neither was being discussed in India. It also declines to moralise or to judge anyone; it simply follows a flawed man preparing to become a father. Even the title comes from the Ramayana, from Dasharatha, the father consumed by longing for a son. Mohanlal carries it, and it is remembered as the first Malayalam film shot in 35mm Cinemascope.