Writer/Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Starring: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma and Boman Irani
‘A Spectacular Satire’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated today as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Khan has proven to be one of the greatest actors in Bollywood. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, terrorists in danger or professional wrestlers, Khan has suggested he can portray many characters. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his bravery. Khan has never been afraid to take risks in his career through tackling subjects that prove controversial. Through abilities to play characters which are compelling, Khan has established a legacy which has proven to be compelling. Despite reaching the age of retirement, Khan has never lost his strong passion for producing iconic entertainment. An iconic legend in India, Khan has become a celebrated legend in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout a groundbreaking career, Khan has created several strong movies that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies he has made in his career. However, “PK” is his most underrated work. Released in 2014, Rajkumar Hirani’s film offered a captivating portrait of aliens. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a brilliant performance by Aamir Khan, who embodies an inquisitive alien with curiosity. Ultimately, what makes “PK” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Indian movies, it tackles bold themes that everyone would relate to. A brilliant Bollywood masterpiece, there are many strong reasons why “PK” is worth watching.
Set in Delhi, “PK” tells the story of an alien that faced adversity. Aamir Khan portrays PK, an inquisitive alien with a strong sense of curiosity. PK has always been curious of the world of humans which he finds to be a place that’s adventurous. However, PK’s life forever changes when he falls in love with a news reporter. Jaggu (Anushka Sharma) is a charismatic news reporter with devotions to finding the truth about aliens. As PK finds himself integrating in the world of humans, he is forced to question his identity. Faced with a crisis of religion, PK questions if it’s possible for him to live on earth achieving a greater life satisfaction.
Rajkumar Hirani has often been fascinated with themes of religion. A fantastic Indian filmmaker, Hirani has often made engaging movies about religion in Indian culture. His iconic film “Lage Raho Munna Bhai” offered a powerful portrait of gangsters questioning their religious faith. With “PK”, however, the director made his first science fiction film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to convey hardships faced by aliens in a galaxy but he succeeded immensely. Using breathtaking cinematography, Hirani captures an alien on a journey to find his identity. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.”, the filmmaker successfully uses montages to capture aliens which face adversity. For instance, montages enhance the romance scene. During this memorable scene, PK forms a strong bond with Jaggu during his time on earth. Through montages, Hirani creates a portrait of aliens audiences find engaging. Montages are tricky to use in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, montages elevate Bollywood movies about friendships. Nevertheless, it works in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Hirani captures tension that extra-terrestrial aliens are facing.
Another strong aspect of “PK” that deserves appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the finest Bollywood movies you will ever see. Evoking Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Swades”, Hirani expertly uses settings of villages to craft song and dance sequences that are engaging. For instance, the setting of the villages elevate the Love is a Waste of Time musical sequence. During this unforgettable scene, PK has a romantic encounter with Jaggu discovering the truth about humans. Using village settings, Hirani creates a portrait of aliens that’s engaging. Furthermore, the music score is marvellous. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing the burden that aliens bear. Using powerful production, Hirani captures aliens that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “PK” is a science-fiction movie about aliens that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tensions that aliens are facing. For instance, monologues elevate the television speech scene. During this engaging scene, PK delivers a speech on television showing his strong views on religion. Through bold monologues, Hirani creates a portrait of an alien audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India” proved, monologues often enhance sports movies about cricket. Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” demonstrated monologues elevate films about intellectual disability. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a strong screenplay, Hirani conveys hardships which are experienced by aliens facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Aamir Khan delivers one of his best career performances as PK. Khan first achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in Bollywood movies. With “PK”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an alien seeking to find its identity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With engaging expressions, he captures the angst, grief and rebellious nature of an alien embarking on expeditions. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors that’s working today.
While the film is mainly a big showcase for Aamir Khan, the supporting cast is equally excellent. Anushka Sharma is spectacular, capturing charisma to a woman that falls in love with an alien which causes a dilemma. Boman Irani is brilliant, bringing authority to a political leader seeking to control a strict city. Lastly, Sushant Singh Rajput deserves appreciation. As a strong news reporter, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “PK” would earn appreciations of everyone for capturing aliens that face a price to pay. Unlike most Bollywood films, the movie discusses strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses bold topics such as ambition, news media and religion which will absolutely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian cultures to enjoy it. Therefore, “PK” is one of those rare Bollywood films everyone would adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan would absolutely enjoy “PK” and so would audiences seeking smart entertainment. A spectacular Indian satire, it honours an actor that audiences admire.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood film about an alien that questions his faith in religion, it’s an extraordinary reminder of an actor that has achieved appreciations through ability to portray compelling characters in iconic movies that are absolutely without a single doubt worthy of celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 