Remember those legendary ads that mostly define the finest works of advertising on Indian television? From most of Hindustan Lever’s products to Bajaj, Tata, IDEA and many more; to his last film, ’Cheeni Kum’, R. Balki has proven to be one of the best creative directors and ’ ad film’ makers we have today. Now, with ’PAA’, he proves to be one of the best film makers. Period.
The tale of a love-struck couple’s careless encounter, a man’s ambitious plan for his life against a woman’s sacrifice while raising her child with a supportive mother leads us to a prodigal son- ’ Auro’ . While Auro’ s rare and incurable disability of ’ Progeria’ seems like a tragic foundation for a story whose characters are enacted by Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Amitabh Bachchan, R. Balki’s writing and direction walks the sword’s edge of realism to give us a funny, entertaining, witty , heartwarming and endearing film.
PAA is enriched with subtlety, reality, simplicity and stuff that comes straight from the heart. The last quality is especially depicted on screen through the sincere performances by Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan, Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Nag. However, there is no superlative adjective in the dictionary for what Amitabh Bachchan has done and achieved in this film. It would suffice to say that even after reading such praise about his performance, you would still be unnervingly surprised after you watch him. To enact a child is one thing but to enact him when he has a genetic disorder that makes him 4 times older than he actually is.... now that’s ’performace’. Without the use of ultra-modern technology, R. Balki, with the aid of some outstanding talent in make-up, sound recording, cinematography, music (Illayaraja), screenplay and that of his own writing and directing skills, has generated a marvel that without a doubt sets his work at par with Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ’ Anand’ .
Amol Atre is now an MP who is out to change the image of politics while working more ’for the people’. His political ideology is what we would really hope to see in real politicians. Althought one may accuse Balki of over-indulgence in the entire slum-rehabilitation campaign of Amol’s to digress from more fun moments of Auro’s life, it still remains under control because it does not lead to boredom. Although, it may have been a better fit for the ’Sarkar’ movies.
Vidya’s journey through being an ambitious young student to a mature and composed un-wed mother is depicted with surprising ease. Her portrayal of the loving and understanding mother who has accepted the reality of progeria’s tragic curse is wonderful. Here is one actress who has proven yet again that she can play characters far better than those who play ’roles’.
Although Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Nag have a limited role, they portray their characters immaculately. Watch them closely when their characters have to play awkward parts. Grandmom playing a video game and Paresh Rawal convincing Auro that his time isn’t up yet for him.
Among the more brilliant bits of the film are in school. The presence of a child suffering from Progeria who displays all traits of a normal child his age is so naturally convincing that it looks too smooth. Auro’s friends are understanding yet playful and comfortable in the presence of this witty lad. Watch out for Auro’s telephone conversation with his buddy Vishnu- the most hilarious scene of the year! Also, the explanation on the necessity of Algebra in Mathematics..... It is only after you reach home from the theater that you realize that the funniest scenes of the year, which were rendered by a kid, were actually by Amitabh Bachchan.
Moments shared by Amol and Auro are funny, witty and non-confrontational while the beauty of the film lies in the moments shared between Auro and Vidya. It’s only when all three are together in the hospital that the film turns into a quintessential Bollywood melodrama but far from the drag of ’Kal Ho Na Ho’ . Balki uses music only in the background without disrupting the story’s progress and Illayaraja delivers a fine theme for the movie that is lively. With witty humor and a subtle message just like in ’Anand’, PAA reminds us to live your life to the fullest, no matter what you have at your disposal. It is an enriching experience that is heartwarming and with an endearing rendition of Big B’s little ’ Auro’ .
9.05 on a scale of 1-10.