Director: Shoojit Sircar
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan
‘A Captivating Classic’
Piku
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 that he has made in his career. However, “Piku” definitely stands out as his most meaningful movie. Released in 2015, Shoojit Sircar’s movie provided a powerful portrait of fragile fathers. Packed with bold musical numbers, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a brilliant Bollywood dysfunctional family drama. At the centre of it all is a brilliant role by Amitabh Bachchan, who plays a deteriorating 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 the hardships which an aging father in dysfunctional families has to go through. Amitabh Bachchan portrays Bashkor Banerjee, a terminally ill father that endures health problems causing adversity. Bashkor has always shared a complicated relationship with his daughter Piku (Deepika Padukone). Piku finds it a pain to take care of her aging father that tests her patience. However, Bashkor’s broken relationship with his daughter changes when the pair embark on road trips transforming their lives forever. As Bashkor develops a strong bond with his daughter, he questions whether he will ever be a strong father. Faced with conditions of health that are deteriorating, Bashkor soon questions whether he will ever repair broken relationships with his children that prove to be demanding.
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 hardship that cranky 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. Inspired by Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai”, Sircar deftly uses cross-cutting to craft music sequences that take place on memorable road trips which 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 career performances as Bashkor. Bachchan earned appreciation for playing criminals in classic Bollywood crime movies. With “Piku”, however, he took upon his most meaningful role. It isn’t easy to portray an aging father facing tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: charming, funny and thoughtful in his most complex role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief experienced by a dad experiencing mental health deterioration. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most beloved actors in India 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 