Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Starring Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji and Preity Zinta in lead roles, the film’s music is composed by Anu Malik and lyrics are penned by Sameer. Telling the story of a married couple hiring a young prostitute as a surrogate mother, the film generated controversy during its release for dealing with the taboo issue of surrogate childbirth in India.

Initially set to release on 22 December 2000, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’s release was delayed for several months when producer Nazim Rizvi and financier Bharat Shah were arrested and the Central Bureau of Investigation seized the film’s prints on the suspicion that the production had been funded by Chhota Shakeel of the Mumbai underworld. The film was released in March 2001 to a wide audience and emerged as a commercial success, becoming the sixth highest-grossing films of 2001 in India.

Critical praise was majorly directed towards Zinta’s performance as a prostitute-turned-surrogate mother, earning her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 47th Filmfare Awards, the only nomination for the film. The film has often been associated with surrogacy in Indian popular culture.

Early in the pregnancy, Priya miscarries and becomes permanently infertile. On Dr. Balraj Chopra’s advice, they decide to look for a surrogate mother to bear Raj’s child and hide Priya’s infertility from his conservative family. Since the process of artificial insemination could be revealed in the Indian media due to the family’s renown and position in society, the couple agree that pregnancy should be achieved by means of sexual relations between Raj and the surrogate mother. Raj meets Madhubala “Madhu”, a prostitute, who agrees to carry Raj’s baby in exchange for money. After some much-needed behavioral grooming and a makeover, Madhu meets Priya—who is unaware of Madhu’s background—and the three depart for Switzerland in order to carry out their plan secretly.

Soon Madhu is pregnant with Raj’s child, and he happily tells his family that Priya is expecting. Meanwhile, Raj’s business partner Ajay Sharma begins to sexually harass Madhu and she decides to leave Switzerland, mistakenly believing that Raj told his friend that she is a prostitute. Eventually, Priya finds out about Madhu’s past, but still believes that Madhu should carry their child and begs her to stay. When Madhu is at home by herself, Raj’s friend assaults her but Raj arrives in time to save her. Overwhelmed by Raj’s kindness, Madhu falls in love with him.

Raj’s family suddenly arrives in Switzerland. While Priya reaches for pregnancy-simulating pillows, the family meets the heavily pregnant Madhu who is introduced to them as a friend staying with them while her husband is travelling for business. Raj’s grandfather Kailashnath and father Ranjit arrange a Godbharaai, a religious baby shower ceremony. They ask Raj, Priya, and Madhu to return with them to India, where the ritual must be held as formally required by tradition.

The ceremony is very important so Priya sends Madhu as herself. An emotional Madhu becomes conflicted about giving up her child. Finding Madhu’s room empty and the money dumped on the bed, a frantic Priya pursues her to the train station and slaps Madhu when she confesses that she loves Raj. By the time Raj arrives, Madhu has gone into premature labour. The doctor announces that either Madhu or the child can be saved, and Priya asks him to save Madhu. However, both mother and baby survive. Madhu gives the baby to Priya, who quickly settles into a hospital bed with “her” baby. Dr. Balraj Chopra lies to Raj’s family that while Priya gave birth, Madhu’s child was stillborn.

When Madhu is ready to leave, she promises Raj that she will not go back to prostitution. When he takes her to the airport, he realizes that she loves him and kisses her forehead. Madhu leaves happily.