Quick Movie Review: Piku

I loved it from the word go. I mean, right from the promos, the film gave us the right feelers. A calm, soothing, enjoyable film that promises to stay with you for a long time. 

It was the Mother’s Day weekend and I bought the tickets for the entire family to go and watch Piku. As usual, I had my moments of loud laughter in the theatre – an advance apology to those planning on watching a film with me as you will have to put up with my hyena laughter. 😉

Amitabh Bacchan was believable as a father to Piku, his insecurities related to old age were apt. He was difficult as a father and not once was he out of place. As pointed out by a dear friend of mine, a professor and a super mum, Pallavi Mehta, she found Baba to be brutally honest, and even though he would keep mentioning about ‘marriage being for those with low IQs,’ he was actually more for a girl’s independence.

Intitially we thought his Bengali accent was put on, but once you absorb yourself in the film it will not bother you at all.

Deepika Padukone has mastered the art of blending in and acting with such finesse. Her ‘deglamourised’ role as Piku, just like in Finding Fanny was brilliant. Almost every girl could relate to being Piku at some point of their lives.

Constipation the much talked about topic in the film is what I like to believe is ‘pun intended’ and aimed more at our Indian mindsets – of old age, marriage, relationships, parenting and children.

Change your mindset and watch the ‘smooth flow’ of events, just like one’s bowel movements. We liked how both Baba and Piku talk about relationships openly that shows the gradual acceptance of certain topics once considered a taboo. Piku aptly terms it as a ‘need’ which may take a while for some to swallow it like a bitter bill.

The father-daughter relation is endearing at places and you feel for Piku who’s doing everything she can to be there for her very difficult Baba.

What I missed most in the film is a little more screen sharing of Piku and Rana, a little more insight into their chemistry.

Irrfan and Deepika’s unusual pairing is brilliant, and it makes you believe that God can send you someone totally out of the blue, unexpected and an unassuming character (like Rana) who totally fits in to your scheme of things as a companion, who understands you, respects you and will love you for who you are and with all your personal paraphenalia.

For Pallavi, Irrfan has done a brilliant job of the balancing act to the point. His USPs are his plain face dialogue delivery with big button eyes.

I’m so glad that there are films being made like these that are not over the top, believeable and lovable. It stays with you.

Piku is a little sneak peak into the personal lives of this over exhausted young girl who loves her father and would do anything to see him happy and healthy.

Apart from the film, I would love to relive the life of Piku through a book or even a serial.

Soojit Sarkar, hope you will make a sequel or other similar warm fuzzy films for a love and laughter starved nation who’re ‘constipated’ in their thoughts, beliefs and actions.

After giving us brilliant films like Yahaan, Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe, we’ll always be on the look out for the next magic that will pop out from your hat!