Actor Vicky Kaushal’s latest cinematic venture, Bad Newz, which premiered on July 19, takes audiences on a journey into the rare and intriguing phenomenon of heteropaternal superfecundation. This scientific anomaly is a scenario where twins have different biological fathers. The film presents this concept through the story of Saloni, portrayed by Triptii Dimri, who has sexual relations with two men, leading to the birth of twins fathered by each man respectively.
So, what exactly is heteropaternal superfecundation? According to the Health Site, this rare occurrence can happen when a woman has intimate encounters with more than one man and releases multiple eggs during ovulation. This means that if she has sexual intercourse with different partners around the same time, the sperms, which can survive in the female reproductive tract for several days after intercourse, have an increased chance of fertilizing eggs from different men. This phenomenon, although rare in humans, is more commonly observed in sheep, cats, and cows.
A doctor providing insights to the health website explained, “The sperms tend to survive in the female reproductive tract for several days after intercourse, significantly increasing the risk of egg fertilisation from two different men. This can be further confirmed by undergoing genetic testing, which reveals that the twins have two different fathers. Timing plays a crucial role in its occurrence.”
Bad Newz has sparked considerable dialogue and debate among audiences. An excerpt from Mid-day’s review captures the essence of this discussion:
“What’s it (the movie) about then? If you haven’t watched the trailer, which is all there is to the movie—it’s about pregnancy, and how ‘in the same cycle, two eggs have been fertilised’, hence two fathers to two potential babies, within the same womb. Explain that, again? Well, two guys slept with the same girl—both fathering a twin, born out of the same night of lust/love.”
The review goes on to question whether this concept is too far-fetched for a Bollywood movie, designed to cater to mass/mainstream/multiplex audiences and packed with songs, dance, and general entertainment. The movie also aims to tap into the Punjabi-Gujarati NRI vibe, an area well known to its producer, Karan Johar.
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For many Indian moviegoers—often happy to enjoy cinematic escapism—this theme may test their moral and judgment boundaries. However, it appears that filmmakers were aware of this and took precautions to ensure societal perceptions were managed. The storyline avoids crossing into controversial territory such as threesomes, instead, it navigates through more traditional and relatable scenarios: the first couple is married but later divorced, the second couple shares a nascent mutual attraction, and the key events transpire during a night when the female protagonist, Saloni, is inebriated at her birthday celebration.
This layering of relationships adds depth to the narrative, making the film more relatable and digestible for the audience. The movie does not glorify or condemn the actions of its characters but rather presents them as real, flawed individuals navigating complex emotional and biological situations.
The film also raises important questions about fidelity, paternity, and the scientific intricacies of human reproduction. It sheds light on the fascinating but lesser-known fact that multiple paternity can occur within the same pregnancy. For a society often bound by strict cultural norms and moral expectations, Bad Newz’s exploration of heteropaternal superfecundation is both groundbreaking and thought-provoking.
As we await further reviews and audience reactions, it is clear that Bad Newz has opened up a new avenue for Bollywood storytelling. It challenges traditional narratives and encourages viewers to think about the complex realities of human relationships and reproduction. By doing so, it also opens up conversations about the science behind such phenomena, potentially paving the way for more inclusive and varied storylines in Indian cinema.
Stay tuned to Mid-day.com for more updates as the movie continues to make waves in the cinematic world.
