Movie Review: Piku

Piku: A Refreshing Bollywood Movie

One of the few advantages of writing your university examinations from the university as headless as GTU (Gujarat Technological University) is that their schedules are as unbalanced as the economies of some African nations ruled by warlords. Some papers are so squeezed that you hardly find any time to take a breather while in some you are so free that you may want to take a road trip back to your native place and back. So, during my 6th semester engineering exams, I found a window to enjoy a Shoojit Sircar's directorial venture 'Piku' where I had 5 days off before my next exam. Dying of boredom, one fine Sunday morning, I went to kill time by watching this comedy drama.

Put a grouchy, old, constipated man, his extremely rude daughter and complaining relatives together at a dining table, and fireworks are bound to happen. At Piku's table, though, there is only one conversation: on constipation. It's actually amazing how Shoojit Sircar makes grand movies out of simple topics like sperm (In Vicky Donor) or bowel movements (In Piku).

Deepika Padukone portrays the titular character Piku- an independent, Bengali architect living in New Delhi, and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan plays the role of her senile, hypochondriac father.  Irrfan Khan plays a role of a taxi driver who agrees to take the father daughter duo on the road trip and is trapped between all the insanity that follows.  Mausami Chatterjee and Jisshu Sengupta plays other supporting characters.

Piku doesn't feel like a movie at all. It has no elements of glamour, no over the top idiotic romance and definitely no moral wielding harangues on idealistic relationships or preachy morals as one would have expected. It is just like the events unfolding from any neighbourhood house with an ageing parent and the single child taking care of him. The movie presents a very realistic view of a typical Indian family. The film has life in it and thrives on the simplicity of reality, very tenderly tugging to your emotions.

The beauty of the movie is not in its story but the way it has been unfolded to the audience which has always been the strength of the director- telling simple tales in a grand manner. It does not have any twists to get surprised instead it is a narrative which overpowers the predictable storyline by the actors' strong performances and subtleties. The movie ensures that anyone who has lived with ageing parents will connect with Deepika's character. The tantrums thrown by the aged, the scolding of the young yet the care and love in their heart they carry that they immediately wish for the aged to return to their childish ways if there is smallest deterioration in their health.

Bhaskor(Amitabh) and Piku are Bengalis living in Delhi. Bhaskor is totally obsessed over his health specially his bowel movements while Piku is a multi-tasker who manages the household and works at an architectural office managing her active social life. Sometimes she is fed up of his senile father's obsession that she wishes he had some trouble with health for real. The quarrelsome duo never talks. He snarls, she yells. They fight and they scream. The only time they smile together is when they sing a Bengali song. Amitabh Bachchan plays a typical Bengali with a big paunch who is proudly critical of anything and everybody. He says he is "Brutal and Honest". Rana Chaudhari (Irrfan Khan) is the owner of the taxi service company that is reeling under the onslaught of Piku's arrogance as a lot of his drivers have left because of her attitude and caused accidents. Situation puts him in the middle of Piku's family insanity. While he is attracted to Piku, his thoughts vacillates because he is aware that she can be arrogant, rude and adamant at times. Rana's interaction with Piku has a nuance, understated romantic tone. He is much of an outsider in Bengali family and gets involved in their arguments and when he presents his rational viewpoint, he is unwelcomed and asked not to interfere in their family problems.

Another good thing about the movie is that it does not obsess on the romance of the titular character.  The film avoids all of the cliched Bollywood romantic moments.The sheer simplicity of the silence between them and the charming banter makes the romance identifiable. 

Deepika Padukone does not disappoint with her bold choice of non-glamorous, refreshing role. The kohl-eyed actress steals the show with sincerity and deep concern writ on her perpetually-angry face. Amitabh Bachchan is real in his portrayal of 70-year-old man, dependant on his daughter. He sounds a lot like Auro( from Paa) in his efforts to be an ageing man turning progressively childish. Irrfan Khan stands out in his role of a non-eccentric, regular middle class personality with his facial expressions and ensures that your eyes are glued on him. 

The only disappointment in the movie was Irrfan's family was not given full exposure. They are introduced but not given a closure. 

Piku has no masala or romantic escapades but neither does it bores you out with preachy monologues and gyan on how kids should be responsible towards their parents. Looking forward for more such movies in Bollywood.