‘The Signature’ Movie Ending Explained And Recap: Did Arvind Sign The DNR Papers?

The Signature is one of those films that will help you connect with your parents and understand their point of view on what old age looks like. This Hindi-language Zee5 Global Original is a remake of the national award-winning Marathi film Anumati. Gajendra Ahire directed both films, and through them, he gives us a unique perspective on old age, love, and companionship. 

Spoilers Ahead

What happened to Madhu Pathak?

The Signature began with Arvind and Madhu Pathak at the airport getting ready to check in for their maiden trip to Europe. Madhu and Arvind were senior citizens, and Madhu was the more excited of the two about the trip. To everyone’s shock, Madhu fainted at the airport and was shifted to the hospital immediately. She’d suffered from a brain hemorrhage and had to be put on life support. Arvind, however, remained hopeful that she would come out of the coma anytime. He was also managing the finances regarding the hospital expenses. Arvind had the habit of speaking to her every day and updating her about his daily musings in the hope she would respond to his voice. 

What do the son and the doctor suggest?

Eight days into her hospitalization, their son Anand Pathak gave his father a DNR form (do not resuscitate) and asked him to speak to the doctor before signing it. A confused Arvind spoke to the doctor, who let him know the hospital had tried every possible way to resuscitate Madhu. The doctor suggested Arvind opt for taking Madhu off life support and let her continue being bedridden at home with some medication to keep her alive. Arvind was enraged as he felt the hospital had given up on a patient. He was not willing to sign the papers, which would essentially mean he was giving up on his wife. He claimed he was willing to pay for the expenses incurred as long as the doctor promised not to take Madhu off life support. 

Why is Arvind desperate for money?

Arvind made it clear that he intended to keep his wife in the hospital for treatment, but he was in dire need of money to pay for the bills and the medication. It was not an easy task, as he had lost a lot of his savings in the first ten days of the treatment.

What are the avenues Arvind looks to for money?

Arvind initially asked his daughter Anju for some money, but his son-in-law claimed his funds were tied up in different places. Anju came forward and gave up her gold bangles and asked her father to sell them and utilize the money for the treatment. Arvind and his best friend Prabhu were looking for other options to get money as soon as possible. Arvind wanted to sell off his house in Maliabad, which he had built for himself and Madhu. Unfortunately, the loan was in Anand’s name, and Arvind had forged his son’s signature to get it approved. This would lead to a bigger legal mess and he quickly gave up on the plan.

Arvind also went to his hometown in the hope of getting his share of the ancestral property. On meeting his brother, he learned his brother had lost most of their property in road widening, and he did not get much compensation in return. His brother, however, empathized with Arvind’s dilemma and agreed to buy his share. All Arvind could manage from the sale of the ancestral property was one lakh, which was again not enough. Arvind and Prabhu tried to look for the health insurance policy Madhu had taken for him. Sadly, the policy stated that the money from the health insurance could be used only if the person had died. This left Arvind in grief, as he could not believe his wife had planned everything for him after her passing, including the finances. The insurance company could issue another policy immediately, but that would have a high premium because Arvind and Madhu were senior citizens. This enraged Arvind further, as he felt everyone around them considered elderly people burdensome and useless. He realized people and the system were not equipped for the upkeep and well-being of elderly citizens. A helpless Arvind was out of options, while Prabhu sold his gold chain to help Arvind. 

Where does Arvind meet Ambu?

A distressed Arvind was at the library where he had worked to get away from the chaos in his life. On his way out of the library, he ran into Ambika, aka Ambu, his colleague from work whom he had not met in years. Ambu was happy to have run into him and invited him to her place. On reaching Ambu’s, both began to reminisce about the life they led in their younger days. Ambu revealed she had been happily married until she recently lost her husband. She claimed to have lived a peaceful life ever since as she had decided to move on instead of falling into a well of pity. She was also a grandmother, and her son and his wife were happily settled in America. 

Arvind was surprised to notice how much Ambu had absorbed the pain and moved on with life. Conversation with her also calmed him down and made him question his life decisions so far. Arvind was also in a weird state of mind, as he had not expected to run into Ambu. There was indication during their conversation that Arvind may have been in love with Ambu during their younger days, but life had other plans for the both of them.

Did Ambu have a terminal illness?

During dinner, Arvind revealed Madhu was currently on life support following a brain hemorrhage and he was in a bad place physically and mentally. He opened up about Madhu having done everything for him and his family for many years, and how all he had wanted to do was fulfill her dream to travel to Europe. The plan fell apart due to her hospitalization. Ambu noticed he was going out of his way to get the money needed for Madhu to continue to remain on life support. He remained hopeful that Madhu would regain consciousness. Arvind also mentioned the DNR papers, though he was in no position to decide about it. 

After the dinner, Arvind was shocked to find a bald Ambu. She revealed her cancer diagnosis and why she chose to live to the fullest as much as she could. Arvind had a breakdown over realizing he might lose two women he genuinely cared for. The meeting between the two old friends turned out to be cathartic, as both were in the later stages of life and were empathetic towards each other. 

Does Ambu help Arvind?

Ambika arrived at the hospital the next day and deposited some money for Madhu’s treatment. This indicates that she had some money in hand and wanted to help an old friend out with it. Ambu never came across as someone who would want anything in return for the help she granted to Arvind. Ambu assumed she would be the first one to pass due to her illness, which may have led her to give whatever amount she had to Arvind. She knew Arvind was a nice person, and she wanted to offer anything she had the capacity to. 

Did Arvind sign the DNR papers?

Arvind left Ambu’s home in the middle of the night with a heavy heart. It seemed he had made up his mind about signing DNR papers after hearing what Ambu had to say about letting go of loved ones. Ambu implied her husband had passed away peacefully, which was good for him and his family, as he’d never had to stay in the hospital during his last days. This conversation struck a chord with Arvind, as he wanted Madhu to lead a pain-free life. On reaching her bedside in the hospital, Arvind could not control his emotions and broke down again, as he had been given the most difficult job in the world. Arvind so far was sure he would be able to get the money required for Madhu to be kept on life support till she gained consciousness.  Since he was out of options, he was helpless and had to consider pulling the plug and shifting her back home, essentially taking a call on whether she would be allowed to live. 

Arvind was traumatized by the idea of signing the papers, as he did not want that fate for Madhu. Just like Ambika stated, it would be better if people went peacefully in their homes than in the hospital. However, there was a problem with the narrative that was being constructed here. Ambika’s husband passing away peacefully cannot be equated with Arvind and his family deciding about Madhu’s fate. Once she was removed from life support, Madhu would live at home for some time relying on medication until her body gave up. This was not a problematic scenario but a contradictory one. Arvind let Madhu know he would be signing the DNR papers for her sake. This was his way of letting her know he would always love her, and she would be free of pain during her last days. Arvind was preparing his mind for the inevitable, and as a result, he was in too much pain. Arvind signed the DNR papers in the cafeteria and laid his head over it. 

Ambu, after depositing the money at the hospital, decided to meet Madhu. On meeting Madhu she witnessed her fingers moving. Ambu was happy to witness Madhu fighting for herself and wanting to come back. All Ambu wanted was to find Arvind and let him know the good news. Arvind’s friend Prabhu also deposited some money, which we assume was from the sale of the gold chain for his friend. It was endearing to watch old friends coming together to help Arvind in his time of need. They helped when he did not expect them to do so. While Arvind’s son had given up on his mother right from the start. For the past ten days, all Arvind had wanted was for Madhu to respond to the treatment. Ambu found it odd as he was not around Madhu during this crucial moment. 

Ambu found him in the cafeteria and let him know the good news. She did not find anything odd about Arvind not moving, but she kept talking about everything would be fine. Prabhu also walked into the cafeteria to share the good news, but he was the first to notice something odd about Arvind. As Arvind’s lifeless body fell, Prabhu was in shock, and so was Ambu, who quickly realized he was long gone and had signed DNR papers next to him. Arvind may have been in too much pain after signing the DNR papers. He’d never wanted to choose whether Madhu should live or not. The signature was of no use anymore as Madhu had regained consciousness. This mirrored the Meryl Streep starrer film Sophie’s Choice, where she was forced to choose between her children, and she lived with the guilt of abandoning one of them. This decision eventually forced her to take her life years later in the film. This may have been heartbreaking for him, which could have caused his cardiac arrest. In spiritual terms, it could be deemed that Arvind had to lose his life so that Madhu could live. Prabhu was distraught, but Ambu had faced tragedy before; she was calm this time and realized it was Arvind’s time to go.