Piku

The trailers told us what to expect, and the film definitely lives up to what it endorses. Piku may have taken the subject of constipation quite too seriously, but it really is a realistic depiction of (familial) relationships.

Story of a septuagenarian Bhaskor (Bachchan) who is more concerned about his health issues, especially his holiday tummy, has a daughter named Piku (Padukone). Piku takes care of Bhaskor like a child SHOULD take care of her parent. And that is what the primary theme of the film is, and it slightly preaches that towards the end. Although one cannot call the film preachy, it does convey a message or two.

The plot begins with Bhaskor diagnosing his Delhi belly and ends when he finally empties his bowels, literally. His violent relationship with his digestive system is the reason he acts temperamental, which has far-reaching effects, mostly on Piku. How Piku tackles his snappiness forms the essential part of the film. It is appealing to watch the story unfold, and if one concentrates on the natural dialogs that are delivered by the characters, one is sure to lay back and enjoy a hearty chuckle. The humor is natural and the family ambiance is ideal for an afternoon watch with your family.

How old age has to be handled the same way infancy is handled should be learned by the titular character, played beautifully by gorgeous Padukone. She is shimmering throughout the frames, but for me personally, Bachchan takes the pie. His portrayal is simply fantastic. That brings the attention to the perfect casting done by the makers; Irrfan is phenomenal and so are the pillaring cast. The subject of constipation is so comprehensively addressed one doubts if it is a guide for dummies. The soundtrack and score by newcomer Anupam Roy sounds repetitive, but strictly complements the theme of the film, which is part road drama.

BOTTOM LINE: Soojit Sircar has carved something essential in Bollywood with Piku - a fine story whose effect may not stay for long, but its themes and performances certainly remembered in years to come. 7/10 - recommended.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Innocent, honest, thoughtful, funny, that is what is ‪#Piku‬. The movie leaves you with a weird sense of responsibility, something we all know but don't want to accept Or have forgotten down the road. The movie will come across as a slow paced in some scenes but that is not really the case, it is just the building up of emotional connect that the scene needs with the audience. Even though the movie portrays a Bengali family, I am sure all families in India can relate to the struggles and laughters that this family goes through. All the actors are just so fine in their craft that you end up believing that you are watching someone's life and not a movie. Still thinking? Don't! Just go watch a movie where the acting is as real as it can get. In the end, if nothing works for you, then you'll at least learn a few tips on how to deal with constipation! :)

Director Mr. #SoojitSircar has done wonderful job. He was very clear about the emotions of every character. He has taken far ahead the script by his visualization. Writer #JuhiChaturvedi breaks the all taught grammar of a script but still succeeded to posses its soul. Hats off to her. She had just an idea on the name of story but she developed this beautifully which was not an easy work. Screenplay is good. Dialogues are sweet and witty. Writing and direction are so gelled that it is hard to believe that actually that is written by two persons. Both were creatively tuned on the same note. This film is a great example that good rapport of writer and director can even carry a very thin subject to an entertaining flick. All characters are very real. You start believing them very soon. Love scenes are realistic, unusual but project the correct emotions. Film is slow but you still enjoy it throughout like home made food. You will be wearing smile and sometimes burst in laughter too. Brilliant performance by all actors is icing on the cake. One can watch any film just for Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. He is par excellence. Deepika Padukone is one of very fine actor, who can carry very glamorous character as well as hard core real, authentic and girl next door role with ease and conviction. Irrfan Khan is fabulous. Moushumi Chatterjee and Raghuvir Yadav are very good. Music by Anupam Roy and lyrics by Manoj Yadav and Anupam Roy are impressive.

Shoojit Sircar is one such director who comes up with a sensitive topic and the end result is always beyond the viewer expectation. After directing gems like Vicky Donor and Madras Cafe, the director has added another gem to his filmography. The director has been able to showcase a complex relation between a daughter and a senile father with ease.Sircar was also able to show the reality in a humorous manner. Perhaps Shoojit Sircar is the director who has the chance of taking the vacant throne of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee, because like these director's Sircar is also able to show such sensitive topics in visual in the mold of these director's. Coming to the performance Deepika Padukone in this film has overshadowed her veteran peers in terms of acting and which she was able to carry out with ease. Irfan khan portrayal was realistic and showed how he was jumbling with his family and business life. Amitabh Bachchan portrayal as a senile and medically ill father was great and considering his character's age, his ideas and thoughts were quite funny and party progressive as well. Meanwhile supporting actors like Jisshu Sengupta, Raghuvir yadav, Moushmi Chatterjee portrayal were quite effective.

Piku stands out to be one of the best films of the year and it will be interesting to watch Shoojit Sircar's further directorial and production ventures in future.

If you are looking to be a part of an endearing journey of a father and daughter, do watch this movie at the very earliest. If you are looking for make-up laden actors, designer costumes, over the top acting, actors bursting in a song & dance sequence at the drop of a hat, this movie is not for you.

Shoojit Sircar has once again made a film that touches a chord in each one of us, and entertains us at the same time. The movie revolves around the love-hate relationship of a daughter, with her father. Mostly love, and a very very slight hint of hate towards each others idiosyncrasies. I won't disclose the details of this beautiful story, but you know it's going to be a fun ride, when the most talked about topic in the entire movie is the bowel movements of the protagonist of the film, Mr Amitabh Bachchan :)

Kudos to the casting department, for choosing the finest actors in the industry. A movie like Piku reminds us of why Amitabh Bachchan, is Amitabh Bachchan!! He is an absolute delight to watch. I am tempted to say, his acting was impeccable..but that would not be doing him justice. Not once throughout the movie did i feel that he was 'acting' - it just felt so REAL, so relatable, so genuine, so simple! And i think that's the best compliment any actor can garner from the viewers. His expressions and mannerisms were so cute, that sometimes you just felt like leaping into the screen, and giving him a warm bear hug :D

This movie would not have been what it is, without two more of the finest actors from the current crop - the effervescent Deepika Padukone and the ever-so-versatile Irrfan Khan. They too were extremely natural - their look, dialogue delivery, emotions, expressions were all so real, you could actually feel what they were feeling.. their frustrations, their ire, their subtle chemistry, their happy moments and the quiet understanding and rapport they built over their journey from Delhi to Kolkata.. Deepika Padukone, as always, looked absolutely stunning, but this time sans the heavy make-up and blingy costumes.

Another thing that stood out for me in the movie was the absence of song and dance sequences. The songs played only as background scores and blended in beautifully with the story. The beautiful words and soulful music is definitely something you will carry with you, as you walk out the theatre.

Kudos to everyone who put this movie together - the artists, the director, the producers, the costume department, the make-up team, the set designers, the script writers, the music directors, the cinematographers :) Thank you for not just giving us a movie, but giving us an EXPERIENCE!! We sure enjoyed our time with the endearing Banerjee family :D

Go, watch! :)