PAA - Moview Review

Star Cast

Amitabh Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan

Vidya P. Balan

Director

Raj Balki Balakrishnan

Producer

Abhishek Bachchan

Music Director

Ilayaraja

With the over flow of movie reviews for PAA, I halted for a few days to see if my excitement to write a review for this movie disengaged, but I guess no, with all the clippings and interviews I wouldn’t dare stop myself anymore to write something about this wonderful tell a tale.

I crisply remember reading Mr. Bacchans blogs some time ago, where he used to narrate incidents that happen on the set, one such blog contained a quick narrative about the prosthetics that were involved and the pain that he went through to have the prosthetics done. That ouch written in those blogs hurt me now after watching the product.

Paa, as the word must have been uttered a zillion times by now, is said once and only once in the movie. I thought that was special about the screenplay. And such tiny miny instances make the entire movie so special. One might wonder if it takes intense drama and over the edge climaxes to attain the title “biggest hit of the year “, but I guess R. Balki’s this small, pawn size feelers in the movie will definitely make Paa the “biggest hit of the year”.

I am definitely not going to write the story in short for the sake of a review, but what I am going to write in my feelers for the movie and the characters.

Amol Arte, ( junior B ) is a dynamic politician, someone who wants to see India be the best. Visionary they called him. Articulately played by Abhishek, the manner in which he wants to prove that not all politicians are dirty in a way drives into you. The look given to Abhishek I thought was a cross between Rahul Gandhi’s charisma and Sachin Pilots simplicity. Dons on to Abhishek very cutely. Even in the flashback mode when as a student, he is impressive, though not many lines are spoken there but the core of the idea that brings Auro into this world depicted by Abhishek in a brat manner was very impressive. His crystal clear idea about his future and his career makes him do things which he later repents. Abhishek can now proudly add this performance into his kitty of best performances. What stands out the most in the second half is the bonding between father and child, though unknowingly from Abhishek’s view, the manner in which one holds onto another is inspiring. It’s really amazing to see an actor perform the way Abhishek has done in Guru and the same actor perform in Paa, So immaculately different yet linked by simplicity.

Auro, ( Amitabh Bacchan ) like everyone said is the new kid on the block, the newest kid sensation. I would like him to be termed as old kid on the new block, or true sensationalist. What a performance. I am sure Amithji, gives due credit to Agastya and Navya naveli for unknowingly helping him to play Auro. Amithji quiet often writes about the kids in his blogs, and that is why I make this assumption. But not taking anything away from Amithji, I second the thoughts of everyone from fraternity regarding experimenting to play something like AURO. Yes and also the fact that nobody has and nobody will ever try such a thing. I try to understand the passion Amithji has for his profession, acting. But to my amazement and bewildered mind I don’t even get a foot close to what it is in reality. His performance in intense scenes in the second half are truly breathtaking, not his expressions but his eyes do it all. Auro who is 12 year old has progeria, a rare genetic disorder, where one ages faster than normal. The prosthetics done by Chritien Tinsley and Dominie Till show us why they are the best in the business. They have done prosthetics in other movies including Passion of The Christ, Catwoman, Lord of the Rings, etc. Not a single frame in the movie indicates that Auro has been played by Amithji. The expressions in some scenes like when Auro is playing the playing station, or the fuss of eating Khichdi everyday are truly shot with immense sense of deliberation. You need to watch the movie on a big screen to actually feel Auro’s presence next to you.

Vidya ( Vidya Balan ) playing as a gynecologist and mother of Auro , does immense justice to Auro. Not only does she look beautiful and gorgeous, she carries motherhood to a different level. Stubborn yet lovable, is what all mothers are and that’s what she has played to perfection. Sensitive children need sensitive mothers, be it to protect them, love them, cuddle them, or scold them, shes done just that without being fussy about it. Wonder what went on to her mind when she accepted the role of playing a mother in a type cast bollywood, that too mother of Amitabh Bacchan.

R. Balki, the director, must say created a goldmine out of waste land. The script to be frank is not something that one would say yes instantly to be acting in, but the mere chance taken by adding prosthetics, and then adding the Bacchans was definitely a path to take head on. As a writer Balki tried to venture in the opposite of what his first film Cheeni Kum had, a complicated story with simple performances. Paa is complicated performances with a simple story. I don’t think he can ever boast about this film as being Best Writer or Best Script award winning story material, he needs to be content about making an attempt to make such a film. Credit of Paa’s success wholly lays with the protagonist and of course all the co stars.

A special mention about Ilayaraja and his scores do complete justice to the flow of the movie. The song Udi-Udi played in 3 different tempos does make sure you are hear the music whilst you watch the movie. Scores never offset your vision from Auro and his various pranks. Also a special mention about the cinematography by PC Sreeram is absolutely awesome.

My Overall rating – **** / 5