Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, whose youngest son Azad was born through surrogacy using the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) technique, is ready to make a film on the procedure, according to an IANS report. Khan said he would make the film if the right script was brought to him.
Khan, who was the chief guest at the launch of a new fertility wing at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, was asked if a film could be made on the topic of IVF and surrogacy. Surrogacy has been a contentious issue in India ever since it was legalised in 2002. The industry is worth an estimated Rs. 900 crore, but has drawn criticism for being under-regulated, with one Indian judge calling it the ‘new frontline in human trafficking‘ in 2014. Following an effective ban on cross-border surrogacy by the Modi government in 2015, a draft Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill is now under consideration. The ban resulted partly from the government’s dissatisfaction with the image of India as the ‘surrogacy hub’ of the world.
Khan agreed that there was little social awareness around the issue in India, and said, “It will depend on the script. I don’t have any fixed opinion of what kind of film I should make.”
Khan and his wife Kiran Rao had opted for an IVF technique for the birth of their son Azad in 2011. “Every person has difficulties and weaknesses. We should not hesitate about it. Today so many things are possible medically, which were not possible earlier. Personally, I can say that the happiness Kiran and I have got, was invaluable,” said Khan.
Recently, actors Shahrukh Khan and Tusshar Kapoor had opted for a similar method for the birth of their respective children. Shahrukh and Gauri Khan’s son Abram was born in 2013 via a surrogate mother. Since then, the two have been vocal about the procedure.
Surrogacy is also controversial as the possibility of exploitation is high. Shah Rukh Khan said, “It should be regulated. When I was having my surrogate baby, I did a lot of study on it and realised that a lot of countries have regulated the procedure,” he said. He added that if the process helpsed those who wanted a child, then he is all for it. Commercial surrogacy has also been a way out of the poverty cycle for scores of women in India.
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Speaking about his decision to be a single father and have a child via the IVF procedure, Tusshar Kapoor said, “I never plan anything in my life. I do believe in the institution of marriage but in today’s day and age, I don’t think it is a big deal. If it is in my destiny, I will get married. But I wanted to be a father first.” He said he had been apprehensive about announcing the birth of his son, because of the stigma attached to single parenting.
Numbers on surrogacy figures are often misleading, as many clinics aren’t required to declare if a baby is born through surrogacy or not. .
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have pledged to continue being vocal about the procedure and creating positive awareness on the issue. Aamir Khan said, “Kiran and I both wanted that we have a child. So when Azad was born, both of us were very happy and wanted that we present the news well to people, and people should be aware of it.”