Director: Shoojit Sircar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Bollywood have earned praise of Amitabh Bachchan. Following his rise to fame amid the 1970’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore all the movies he has produced in his career. However, “Piku” is his most underrated film. Released back in 2015, Shoojit Sircar’s film offered a powerful portrait of dysfunctional fathers. Packed with captivating production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Amitabh Bachchan, who embodies an aging father that faces health deterioration. Ultimately, what makes “Piku” a Bollywood classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it discusses bold themes that everyone would relate to. A brilliant Bollywood classic about fathers, there are many strong reasons why “Piku” is worth watching.
“Piku” tells the story of an aging father that has tense hardships to go through. Amitabh Bachchan plays Bashkor Banerjee, an aging father that faces severe health issues which cause adversities. Bashkor has always had a flawed relationship with his daughter Piku (Deepika Padukone), who struggles to care for him. However, Bashkor’s life dramatically changes when he embarks upon a road trip with his daughter. Seeking to mend a broken relationship which is beyond repair, Bashkor strives to treat his daughter with care. As all odds prove to be stacked against his favour, Bashkor questions whether it’s possible for him to be a strong father.
Shoojit Sircar has often been fascinated by stories of dysfunctional families. His iconic movie “Vicky Donor” offered a compelling portrait of men in dysfunctional families that seek to become sperm donors. With “Piku”, however, Sircar made his first ever road trip movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hardships of fathers in broken families but he succeeded. Using stunning cinematography, Sircar captures a woman embarking on a road trip journey. Evoking Barry Levinson’s “Rain Man”, Sircar expertly uses montages to capture the bond among fathers and daughters upon a road trip. For instance, the montages elevate the road trip scene. During this unforgettable scene, Piku has a tense argument with her father during their road trip. Using bold montages, Sircar creates a portrait of fathers that’s engaging. Montages are tricky techniques. As Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay” claimed, montages elevate classic Bollywood western films. However, it works immensely. Using captivating visuals, Sircar captures hardships that aging fathers are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Piku” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will ever see. Sircar deftly uses cross-cutting to craft music sequences that are engrossing. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the Journey song. During this bold scene, Piku bonds with her father on a road journey. Using cross-cutting, Sircar creates a portrait of love that’s engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing burden that aging fathers bear. Through engaging production, Sircar illustrates dysfunctional fathers facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Piku” is a Bollywood movie about families that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and expertly uses silence to convey hardships which aging fathers experience. Evoking Sam Mendes’ “American Beauty”, Sircar utilizes silence to capture the broken bonds between fathers and daughters that face tragedy. For instance, silence elevates the farewells scene. During this sad scene, Piku bids emotional farewell to her father on his deathbed. Through silence, Sircar crafts a portrait of fathers which audiences relate to. Silence is a complex technique to use in Bollywood films. As Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Black” suggested, silence enhances films about disability. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Though a strong screenplay, Sircar captures fathers that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Amitabh Bachchan delivers one of his best performances as Bashkor. Bachchan first earned appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Piku”, however, he took on his most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray an aging father that faces adversity but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, engaging and memorable in his funniest role. With bold expressions, he captures the angst, tension and emotion of a father facing health deteriorations. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest Bollywood actors today.
While the movie is a showcase for Amitabh Bachchan, the supporting cast is excellent and worthy of praise. Deepika Padukone is dazzling, capturing charismatic personality of a woman seeking to care for a father that faces adversities. Irrfan Khan is incredible, bringing out the authoritative nature of a taxi driver that seeks to care for an aging father. Lastly, Ragubhir Yadav merits praise. As a housekeeper, he brings comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Piku” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing hardships aging fathers go through. Unlike most Bollywood movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes of ambition, mental health and parenting that would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with Indian culture to appreciate it. Therefore, “Piku” is one of those rare Bollywood movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Amitabh Bachchan will absolutely love “Piku” and so would audiences which seek meaningful entertainment. A brilliant Bollywood drama, it celebrates a legendary actor in India with charisma.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood movie about an aging father embarking on road trips facing adversity, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a beloved Bollywood actor that has made an enduring legacy through his abilities to play compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 