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

Wow...! I expect this level of expression from Bollywood. In the midst of nonsense and illogical movies, comes a piece of powerful and sentimental love,emotion and drama. It is based on a Father - Daughter relationship which people may call weird but, in fact it is depiction of situations of all old and sick parents in the world, specially India. Why should u watch it ? Because Bachchan Sir has given us a memorable and subjective touch through his acting as Piku's father. It shows how a daughter never forgets her duties even when his father irritates her by impulsive and relentless behavior. It shows how a man accepts death happily. It shows love is not a treaty. It takes us to a life changing journey from Delhi to Calcutta by road ! Just exchange of thoughts and love sprouts from strangest of places with strangest of people no matter what are the circumstances. Irfan is as expected, Deepika fits to the role, Amitabh sir is unforgettable.

The film begins with a soothing sitar recital in the titles and then the film straight away steps on to the 3rd gear in its first sequence itself showcasing the father-daughter having a tensed, high pitched conversation. The few other key characters in the script get quickly introduced in the next 20 minutes with fast intercuts between its short scenes and the progression never really gives you some time even to look at your mobile phone (following the routine habit). In the middle PIKU turns into a road movie with the team of four (Amitabh, Deepika, Irrfan and the servant) deciding to go to Kolkatta via road (car) from Delhi and then the city of joy greets you well with another impressive Bengali couple strongly demanding your attention with their noticeable act. Its final moments make you feel the pain of separation with moist eyes and the climax leaves you thinking on an indecisive note, probably shying away from having a routine, predictable end.

Based on a unique and unusual plot about constipation, PIKU is certainly not an easy film to make as it doesn't have any descriptive storyline and it more or less remains predictable too once its basic premise gets revealed in the initial moments. The topic of toiler humour is quite difficult to express in dialogues being spoken on dinner tables but Juhi does it superbly establishing the loving relationship between the old age father and his daughter in the early thirties. The sequences keep delivering many enjoyable moments and good laughs regularly till the finale and one doesn't feel tired at all watching only 4-5 characters in the entire film simply conversing with each other on the topic of constipation. In other words, the film has no conflict as such (as it was there in VICKY DONOR) but Sircar still successfully manages to make it all fun and nothing boring or dragging with an amazing ease reminding you of the classic films from Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee.

An intelligent film made straight from the heart, PIKU fearlessly talks about many serious issues in a comical mode such as old age ailment, the lonely life of a widower or a widow when their grown up kids are willing to start their own family, the attention seeking nature of old people and the nostalgia they like to keep living in remembering the gone era. It focuses on a weird, over-indulgent father who feels no shame in telling a stranger that his young daughter is not a virgin and a visibly frustrated but caring daughter who only has the topic of constipation to talk about on the phone even when she is sitting in a restaurant on a dinner date.

Besides the best part of the film turns out to be its particular scenes and dialogues dealing with Bengali language, culture and the city of Kolkatta, making it a visual treat to enjoy along with the touching relationships developing between its various characters. Musically, PIKU has few average but soothing numbers from singer- songwriter-composer Anupam Roy (his debut Hindi project) perfectly suiting the mood of the film. Plus the beautiful cinematography, crisp editing (though too quick at times) and casual costumes designed quite authentically establish an instant connection with the viewer enhancing its overall impact.

Moving into performances, though the film has two towering male personalities having their own distinctive screen presence known to all, the film still completely belongs to Deepika Padukone alone as conveyed by the title PIKU that happens to be her nickname (the original name not mentioned anywhere). The actress truly gives another career best performance as the young, casual, middle class, working girl (with minimal make-up) who has twinkling eyes, killer looks and an adorable controlled grin that slowly makes you fall in love as the film proceeds further.

Amitabh Bachchan as Banerjee is a sheer delight to watch and that too minus his baritone voice in an eccentric kind of character conversing in an enjoyable Bengali tone. He is simply outstanding slipping into a different body of an old man annoyed of his own non- existing or self-assumed diseases. And I really doubt we have any other actor around who could be giving these kinds of performances at the age of 70. Completing the trio, Irrfan Khan as expected plays the travel agency owner with an incredible perfection. The way he calls out his drivers to take up different duties and his entertaining interactions with Amitabh Bachchan on the road trip generate a good laugh in the theatres.

In the supporting cast, that always has been the highlight of a Shoojit Sircar film we have the return of Moushumi Chatterjee on screen as the talkative Mausi who is delightful talking with Amitabh Bachchan about his dead wife, her sister. Raghuvir Yadav makes a decent impact as the friendly doctor and then the actors playing the Bengali couple, Irrfan's family and the accompanying servant, all remain fairly entertaining in their respective roles, particularly the servant.

Having praised the film whole heartedly, I still found PIKU as a project majorly made only to entertain its audiences (and not enlighten them), focusing less on the drama and emotional aspect of the relationships that happened to be the key element of films of Hrishi Da and Basu Da. Music being the soul of our Hindi films, the melody was once again missing though the lyrics were right there expressing it fine. Moreover it simply touches many sensitive issues of life but avoids getting into them in details fearing the viewer's loss of interest.

Having said that, with PIKU as one of the best films of 2015, Hindi film-makers do expand their vision of mainstream cinema exploring new ideas undoubtedly and therefore the film deserves to be seen as a must supporting the progressive move.

Piku is one gem of a movie - a film that is as realistic as it is charming, as beautiful as it is brilliantly humorous. Soojit Sircar's able directorial efforts on Juhi Chaturvedi's excellent script turn it into an ineffable film experience. With its quirky and eccentric characters, the film adopts a persistent sense of everyday realism which makes the overall product consistently engaging, funny, moving and fascinating. Piku is comic and dramatic in equal parts, but more than its substance, it is a true visual treat. What starts as a nice domestic picture concentrating on the routine of its lead players in what is clearly reminiscent of the old Hrishikesh Mukherjee classics, it takes a turn of events to become an eminently watchable and breathtakingly shot road movie. It never drags for one minute, often making you wish it wouldn't end as quickly as it eventually did.

The film presents one of the most authentic and credible father-daughter relationships ever recorded on film. In so doing, it celebrates values of children looking after their aging parents, values which certainly prevail in a country like India and which gradually disappear from the common consciousness of the current youth. The main character Piku's responsibility towards her ailing father, her patience towards his annoying habits and oversmart nature, is captured with terrific detail, and not for a moment does it veer into cliche. Her almost maternal care of him is never portrayed with overdone sentimentality, sweet talk, or much physical interaction. Her love is selfless and unconditional, and it's proven in actions rather than words. In that respect it reminds one of Mrinal Sen's classic Khandhar, where Shabana Azmi took care of her bedridden mother.

The soulful delivery could not have been possible without the acting, and Piku, both the film and the character, reveals Deepika Padukone as an actor who, at her best, has the rare ability to grasp the complex realities of the human condition. Easily irritable, no-nonsense, always under the pressure of her struggle, she is fully in sync with her character, capturing the flawed nature of Piku with tremendous subtlety. Hers is a portrait of true selflessness and strength. At the same time, Amitabh Bachchan offers a poignant study of old age experience. His mastery of the essence and meaning of growing old and of this ultra-annoying yet touchingly endearing man is phenomenal in a performance that is remarkably well-detailed, nuanced and naturalistic. To think that this towering star-actor would ever approach his parts with the sensibility of character actors is a treasure to behold.

These two work wonderfully opposite each other, but the rest of the cast are all brilliant living their parts. Obviously Irfan's quiet, effortless charisma is undeniable, and his performance vies for top honours despite perhaps being given the status of a supporting actor here. He is dependable all through, and this touch of mystery where you never know what exactly this guy is thinking is as great as ever. In a small part with almost no lines, but being present in almost every scene, Avijit Dutt is reliably good. Yesteryear star Moushumi Chatterjee is also very good in a role that would certainly remind you of some woman you know. But Piku has no stars, is a film which conveys simple and meaningful messages, and it does so through pure entertainment. The constipation part is a recurring comic motif here, but the reinforcement of the divine duty to honour one's parents is stronger.

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.