I think it takes quite some talent to speak about a topic like bowel movement and / or constipation, over and over again, without making it shitty, vulgar, or boring. What takes even more talent is when you can make it humorous and enjoyable! Shoojit Sircar seems to have the intelligence and the knack to do just that.
First, with Vicky Donor, he handled topics like sperm donation and infertility proficiently. Now, with his latest film, he takes 'wrong' body parts and defecation to a different plane altogether. With sheer brilliance.
I'm pretty sure here is a man that seems to have the talent and the ability to even make a topic like flatulence (the technical term for fart) appear arty and not slapstick or redundantly boring. I wish I could spend a week or two with Sircar and have conversations with him, for his take on life and his sense of humor just wow me.
Piku is actually a serious film with great humour. The movie deals with (and delivers) many beautiful messages about life, without being preachy. It discusses topics like ageing, respecting and treating elders, about today's generation feeling that their "senior-citizen" parents are a burden, marriage, love, family, senility, life and death.
The conversations between Bhaskor, Piku, Rana, and aunt Choubi, throughout the movie, are both delightful and insightful.
Notice the chemistry between Piku (Deepika Padukone) and Rana (Irrfan Khan) in the film... Their tête-à-têtes are fascinating and meaningful - the stuff real-life is made of. How Rana would taunt or say things about Bhoskar (Piku's dad) to her - like how he is a khadoos aadmi, a nuisance, intolerable, complicated, complex... That does not mean that he dislikes or disrespects Bhoskar. He does understand and like Amitabh's character.
He also teases her about taking care of her dad till he passes away and question the family's mentality. He does that with a pure heart. All in good humour. Like dil ka saaf. No hidden agenda or intentions. Honest and straight to the point. Piku does not take offence to any of it, and is mature enough to understand Rana, his questions and taunts, as people usually are sensitive to some of these things, and it is nice to see one good heart reciprocating another, with ease. I could instantly connect with Rana's character.
Irrfan Khan is a natural. And endearing, as Rana Chaudhary! Notice his spasms and lip movement while he is at the driver's seat: absolutely amazing. Few actors do not have to even to emote and he certainly is one of them... Terrific!
Jisshu Sengupta as Piku's best friend and business partner, Syed Afroz, Moushumi Chatterjee as Choubi mashi, Raghubir Yadav as Bhaskor's physician and friend, and even the grumpy aunt in Kolkota (Bhaskor's younger brother's wife) - none of them miss a beat, and play their roles to perfection. It's like you're not watching a movie, but just meeting some good-spirited characters in real-life.
Amitabh Bachchan again shows us why he is the best actor in the country. He plays the loveable Bhaskor Banerjee authentically than most Bengalis would or could! I actually wondered if he had Bengali roots, after watching him. He is THAT good!
The film belongs to Deepika Padukone. Period. It's rightfully named, beautifully enacted... and excellently paced and scripted.
Anupam Roy's music just gels in so well with the scenes and has a classic Bengali touch, while staying contemporary simultaneously.
Road trip was never so much fun. Wish it was longer that the two hour and five minute journey, on screen. It was wonderful being part of the heartfelt laughter and emotions during the movie that filled up the auditorium with amazing positive energy. The last time I experienced such positive unison in a movie-hall was during "Lagaan".
We have so much to be thankful for. Vidya Balan. Kangana Ranaut. Priyanka Chopra. And Deepika Padukone. It is heartening to see female characterizations being given heroic and primary importance, in Indian cinema, lately. Vidya Balan in Kahaani, Kangana Ranaut's character in Queen, Nithya Menen's in O Kadhal Kanmani, and now Piku.
Shit, Sarkar! What was I waiting for?! Shoojit Sircar is rapidly climbing up the ladder of Indian cinema's brighter brigade of directors. Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, and now Piku.
Now, that's a very impressive resume! I hope he continues providing us with meaningful and reflective cinema.
Piku: Rated 6 out of 5! Piku is the most endearing Indian film since Vikas Bahl's Queen.
First, with Vicky Donor, he handled topics like sperm donation and infertility proficiently. Now, with his latest film, he takes 'wrong' body parts and defecation to a different plane altogether. With sheer brilliance.
I'm pretty sure here is a man that seems to have the talent and the ability to even make a topic like flatulence (the technical term for fart) appear arty and not slapstick or redundantly boring. I wish I could spend a week or two with Sircar and have conversations with him, for his take on life and his sense of humor just wow me.
Piku is actually a serious film with great humour. The movie deals with (and delivers) many beautiful messages about life, without being preachy. It discusses topics like ageing, respecting and treating elders, about today's generation feeling that their "senior-citizen" parents are a burden, marriage, love, family, senility, life and death.
The conversations between Bhaskor, Piku, Rana, and aunt Choubi, throughout the movie, are both delightful and insightful.
Notice the chemistry between Piku (Deepika Padukone) and Rana (Irrfan Khan) in the film... Their tête-à-têtes are fascinating and meaningful - the stuff real-life is made of. How Rana would taunt or say things about Bhoskar (Piku's dad) to her - like how he is a khadoos aadmi, a nuisance, intolerable, complicated, complex... That does not mean that he dislikes or disrespects Bhoskar. He does understand and like Amitabh's character.
He also teases her about taking care of her dad till he passes away and question the family's mentality. He does that with a pure heart. All in good humour. Like dil ka saaf. No hidden agenda or intentions. Honest and straight to the point. Piku does not take offence to any of it, and is mature enough to understand Rana, his questions and taunts, as people usually are sensitive to some of these things, and it is nice to see one good heart reciprocating another, with ease. I could instantly connect with Rana's character.
Irrfan Khan is a natural. And endearing, as Rana Chaudhary! Notice his spasms and lip movement while he is at the driver's seat: absolutely amazing. Few actors do not have to even to emote and he certainly is one of them... Terrific!
Jisshu Sengupta as Piku's best friend and business partner, Syed Afroz, Moushumi Chatterjee as Choubi mashi, Raghubir Yadav as Bhaskor's physician and friend, and even the grumpy aunt in Kolkota (Bhaskor's younger brother's wife) - none of them miss a beat, and play their roles to perfection. It's like you're not watching a movie, but just meeting some good-spirited characters in real-life.
Amitabh Bachchan again shows us why he is the best actor in the country. He plays the loveable Bhaskor Banerjee authentically than most Bengalis would or could! I actually wondered if he had Bengali roots, after watching him. He is THAT good!
The film belongs to Deepika Padukone. Period. It's rightfully named, beautifully enacted... and excellently paced and scripted.
Anupam Roy's music just gels in so well with the scenes and has a classic Bengali touch, while staying contemporary simultaneously.
Road trip was never so much fun. Wish it was longer that the two hour and five minute journey, on screen. It was wonderful being part of the heartfelt laughter and emotions during the movie that filled up the auditorium with amazing positive energy. The last time I experienced such positive unison in a movie-hall was during "Lagaan".
We have so much to be thankful for. Vidya Balan. Kangana Ranaut. Priyanka Chopra. And Deepika Padukone. It is heartening to see female characterizations being given heroic and primary importance, in Indian cinema, lately. Vidya Balan in Kahaani, Kangana Ranaut's character in Queen, Nithya Menen's in O Kadhal Kanmani, and now Piku.
Shit, Sarkar! What was I waiting for?! Shoojit Sircar is rapidly climbing up the ladder of Indian cinema's brighter brigade of directors. Vicky Donor, Madras Cafe, and now Piku.
Now, that's a very impressive resume! I hope he continues providing us with meaningful and reflective cinema.
Piku: Rated 6 out of 5! Piku is the most endearing Indian film since Vikas Bahl's Queen.
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