Its all about loving your parents..and motion;). Review on Piku

Piku.A movie which is as surprising(or expected?what else can you expect from a Amitabh-Deepika-Irrfan’s movie if not sheer brilliance) as its name, hit  theatres on 8-May. Contrary to the popular belief that only big budget “commercial” movies can pull large crowd, the halls were packed with audience. restoring my faith in the fact that there is no dearth of people with excellent taste for good movies?

Story:

Piku is a story of “Piku”(Deepika) and her baba(father)(Amitabh B).Banerjis living in Delhi .Piku is an architect and she shares a “causal relationship”(with 100% consent of her baba) with Syed(her manager).Her angry& annoying nature(partly due to her father’s motion obsessed discussions) earns her a bad reputation amongst all the taxi drivers and neighbours.

Amidst these motion, constipation& possible ways of dying conversations, her baba insists on going to Kolkata and visit his brother there. The funny part is, he is unwilling to travel by train or flight. Which leaves them with the only transport option being taxi. The road trip(Irrfan being on the driver’s seat as none of his taxi drivers are ready to take Piku Madam to Kolkata) ensues.A mitabh’s motion’s& constipation’s discussion amuses Irrfan and its funny to see his involvement in those discussions.The stop-over in Varanasi& the “Indian style vs Western style” conversation will drive you crazy(not to forget the pictorial representation of intestines and exit!).

After many happy as well as not-so-happy moments, they arrive in Kolkata. They spend an interesting time in Kolkata& baba appears remarkably at ease(being on familiar grounds& where he spent his childhood).

The twist in the will bring up mixed emotions from the audiences.Juhi Chaturvedi did a brilliant job in writing a story that will tingle the deepest chords in your heart.

Direction, Cinematography:

Shoojit Sircar did a commendable job with this movie. Like a responsible captain taking his ship through good as well as rough weather, he steers the movie to a different level altogether. He has paid attention to even the minuscule details. The dots in the letter “I” matching with Bindi(associated with women and specifically with “Bengali”).The father daughter relationship has been displayed with a hint of realism(unlike the typical fairy tale relationships between kids and parents as portrayed by Karan Johar’s movies).They love each other and can’t leave each other .yet will be seen constantly complaining and bickering?.

I cant think of a single scene where Shoojit appeared to be an average director.His love for direction& for his movie is completely evident in Piku.

Kamaljeet Negi’s cinematography is exceptionally good. Varanasi’s ghats.Kolkata’s Howrah Bridge.Roads& traffic.trams. .distinct yellow taxis and old house(Champa Kunj;).oh and not to forget girls with white salwar suit(and red dupatta around the waist) going for dance practise in the morning…Each& every single beautiful moment has been brilliantly captured.

Star cast:

It’s a dream ensemble.Piku’s cast is similar to Avengers cast in Hollywood!

Amitabh: Recently I wrote a review of Shamitabh& mentioned the excellence of Big B’s acting prowess. This movie is at an even higher level.He is completely believable and relatable as a grumpy old father, who is constantly worried about his impending death/obsessions with BP and constipation.He will argue with his daughter to extreme levels but will be prompt to cajole her too(highway driving incident being one of those!.Kachori Jalebi being another).Unpredictable yet predictable? Sir Amitabh through this role stamped the saying that humans become kids again when they grow old.

He will definitely remind you of your grandparents and will compel you to either give them a call(after the movie) or shed a tear in their memory.

Deepika:  Chennai wali Deepika.Marathi mulgi Deepika& now Bengaaaulii Piku? Take your pick!(Mine is Piku;).Not even once I felt it was a movie.it seemed as real as any father-daughter relationship.Her concerns, her anger, her insecurity about the future.it was all so real and relatable. The way she switches between being angry to being content. Annoyance towards her father’s stubborn attitude and the slight smile at his kid-like behaviour at times. Fabulous simply fabulous!

She has come a long way and there are many more milestones to come.Glad that we at last have great actresses in the film fraternity’s new generation( Anushka, Kangana(after Queen)& PC).

Irrfan: He is a director’s dream actor.Talented and wise. An actor who has the calibre to portray any emotion through his eyes. His amusement at the never ending constipation discussions… His active involvement in the discussions(if you cant beat them.accept them!).His exasperation at Amitabh’s stubborn attitude.his casual yet concerned behaviour towards Piku.It will make a connection with your heart& you will definitely wish to meet a similar “civil engineer turned family’s taxi business owner” non-Bengali Chaudhary once in your lifetime;). I personally loved the way he says “Singhasan” time& again!Hahaha!

Moushmi Chaterji, Budhan, Jishu Sengupta, Raghuvir Yadav.all of them did complete justice to their roles.It was like a perfectly fitting jig-saw puzzle.

Music:

Anupam Roy’s music sets the mood of the movie adequately.The songs as well as the background track will stay with you forever.Of the many other things this movie proved, its music proves that you can have a decent, chartbuster album without having the so called “item numbers” in it!.

Some of the Heart touching scenes:

1.Piku pays her respect to “Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa “ and Sarada Devi whenever she leaves her house.

2.Amitabh’s message to Piku(the scene which is an integral part of all the Piku trailers).

3.Amitabh introducing Piku to “NRI” artists from San Francisco.

4.Amitabh’s drunken dance(really endearing) late at night.

5.Piku& Amitabh’s Bengali song(road trip to Kolkata)…In short the entire road trip.

6.Amitabh’s cycle ride in Kolkata& kachori/jalebi to cajole angry Piku?(another incident which will touch the deepest nerve in your heart).

7.Amitabh reprimanding maid for stealing “Phenol” …lol!

Some of the dialogues which I personally valued the most were:

1.You cant judge your parents(Piku to Irrfan)

2.Agar roots hi nikaal do to kya bachega?(Irrfan to Piku)

Final verdict:

Piku is a must watch specially for those who share or have shared a bond(which can’t be expressed or understood in words) with their grandparents.(this movie reminded me of my dadaji.).

This one if for my grandpa.:) and what else if not 5 stars for this homage to my Dadaji?