Paa

A Review
Paa  ... when you think of this R Balki movie, the ‘cute’ Auro leaves an everlasting impression. Yes despite his genetic disorder, which makes him unlike other children of his age, he is loveable. He may seem frightening to some, but his intelligence combined with a razor sharp wit, makes him an endearing 12 year old boy. I wonder why the film is titled Paa as Auro looms large in every frame. His mannerisms and witty remarks overpower you completely. Let’s come down to business!! (You must be muttering – 'enough now'!!)

Like Cheeni Kum, R Balki surprises yet again. Must call him a thinking director who refuses to tow the much treaded path and successfully manages to take a road hardly walked before in Bollywood. Right from the start we are reminded of a different thought process working here – ‘the white-colored globe’. The interpretation of the white colored globe underlines a well- thought out script and screenplay. Balki infuses the razor sharp wit seen in Cheeni Kum in Paa as well: When Paresh Rawal (playing Auro’s grandfather) says to Auro – ‘That’s my boy’. Auro quips, ‘No I am not your boy, I am his boy (points to Abhishek) and he is your boy.’ Moreover, when Amol (Abhishek) asks ‘What do your parents do?’, he points out ‘They bear children’.

About the plot:
The film begins when Amol, a young and popular politician is invited at the annual function of the school where Auro studies. He is invited to award the student who comes up with the best concept of the India in future. Auro receives the 1^st prize for the best concept and leaves an indelible impression on Amol. Gradually their association deepens and they visit the Rashtrapati Bhavan together. Vidya is already aware of their association and reveals Amol’s identity to Auro before his visit to New Delhi. Auro’s pining for his father begins.


Balki tells us about Vidya and Amol's past through a flashback. Vidya, a medical student, meets a young-to-be politician, Amol at Cambridge and they fall in love. Their love leads to the birth of Auro, a child diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, Progeria. Amol asks her to abort the child as it would hinder his career goals. Vidya ( who becomes a gynaecologist later), disagrees and parts ways with her beau and raises her child with her mother's support.  

About the cast:

The cast does complete justice to the roles they play except Vidya who at times overacts. Abhishek plays the role of the father of the diseased Auro to a tee. To write about Amitabh Bachchan’s performance, the adjectives (describing stellar performance, of course) in all the dictionaries of the world would not be enough. Did anyone say he is a methodical actor? I would suggest people with similar opinions to file and watch this movie. Forget methodical… he plays the role of an unusual 12 year old boy with great finesse. His swagger, mannerisms, expressions, dialogue-delivery and his childishness perfectly fall in line with the role he essays. Big B’s awesome performance can be ranked next to Black, or may be a notch higher. Mr. Bachchan, please take a bow!! He truly proves to be the Shahenshah of Bollywood.

Auro's character fills you with wonder. Balki creates the character so that you love him. There is no self-pity, hatred for Auro. In fact, Auro's world loves him and is fond of him. The film though dealing with several sensitive subjects never borders on the ‘right or wrong’. Auro’s demise is treated very subtlely. Your heart aches as you watch the loving son die after uniting his parents, but there is no ‘willing suspension of disbelief’. And of course it’s no tear jerker unlike the KJo movies which arouse hidden sentiments and force the audience to sniff and cry.

Verdict:

Is there anything left to be said? Of course, all should watch this movie and to top it all, Paa is a family movie, a breed of movies that had become extinct in Bollywood. Am 200% sure you will love the lucky boy Auro. Rush for the tickets and catch Paa.

PS: I will catch ya soon. Interestingly, after coming out of the hall, I rang up my Paa and called him the way Auro does in the trailors.. ‘Paa..(n)’! I loved Paa and I love my Paa after watching this movie even more.