India’s first big brand movie to go direct on a digital streaming platform is an average fare.
Juhi Chaturvedi & Shoojit Sircar’s have a history of amazing movies – Vicky Donor, Piku and October. But Gulabo Sitabo falls short.
Fatima Mahal is the protagonist of the movie – a dilapidated and forgotten ruin with rich history and past glory. Amitabh and Ayushmann, loggerheads with each other, share a common love for the mansion. Both excel in portraying the flawed characters – emotions, mannerisms and insecurities. Excellent supporting cast with special mention for Shrishti Srivastava – out-spoken and unapologetic!
Love the slice of life of Lucknow! Amazing writing, humorous anecdotes, great cinematography and nice direction. But the film is slow and stretched and crumbles like the toilet wall of the falling mansion! Can watch it or can miss it!
Wise decision to release on digital platform – movie is not for mainstream multiplexes!
Piku is the triumph of the Indian Film Industry. A very interesting subject powered with perfectly written screenplay, extremely strong performances, sensitive treatment and awesome direction.
Piku is a must watch ! It is one of the best movies of 2015 !
Shoojit Sircar and Juhi Chaturvedi move from the front to back this time – from Vicky Donor’s sperm to shit.
An ageing father Bhaskhor (Amitabh) has challenges his with daily motions. A caring, determined and independent daugther Piku (Deepika) lives with her had and has a daily question – Hua? She is a strong-headed architect and has frequent run-ins with the car agency cab drivers. The car agency owner Rana (Irrfan) becomes their unlikely companion when they drive from Delhi to Calcutta on a road journey with the portable potty (Sinhasan)
Watch out for the Bhaskar’s open declaration of her daughter’s sexual independence to potential suitor, Rana’s theory on Indian toilet styles and Bhaskar’s brutal comments on Rana’s dad’s death. Rana says that “Death and potty can strike anytime, anywhere”.
The constant dad-daughter fights, the car agency owner’s direct rebuttals, the aunt’s remarks, dad’s tantrums, the highway journey, the traditional house sale question, the undercurrents of different relations, the unlikely romance, the visuals, wonderful songs – all register a strong mark – they make you smile, they make you think.
Piku (Deepika) and Bhaskar (Amitabh) steal the show. They own the movie and give a stupendous performance. Deepika is independent and kick-ass yet deeply devoted and caring for her father. Amitabh selfish irritating person but pleasingly brutal and honest. Irrfan completes the trio and creates his own space in an effortless universe of dad-daughter. Moushumi Chatterjee, Raghubir Yadav give a credible support.
At the end of the movie, you want more !
The real winner of course is Shoojit Sircar. Take a bow ! The movie seems like a slice of life – a conversation happening somewhere. Yet very observant. Very simple yet touching and enduring ! And Juhu Chaturvedi. Her writing is amazing and very observant. Brings out the special touch to everyday conversations of life.
Australia’s La Trobe University is rolling out a new scholarship named after the Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan. The scholarship is meant for PhD students, and the student who receives this award would be called a ‘Shri Amitabh Bachchan scholar’. It will be given to Indians opting to study any subject relevant to India, including media, philosophy and films. The four-year scholarship will be worth $25,000.
The University will also honor Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan next month with the La Trobe University Global Citizenship Award.
