‘Piku’ Movie Review – Bollywood Bubble

Directed by: Shoojit Sircar
Produced by: N.P. Singh, Ronnie Lahiri, Sneha Rajani
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, Moushumi Chatterjee
Duration: 2 hours 05 minutes
Bollywood Bubble Rating: 3/5

Shoojit Sircar is known for his hatke films, well who can forget his movie ‘Vicky Donor’ that had taken on the taboo topic of “Sperm Donation”. The director is back with a new gem. His recent movie ‘Piku’, is a story about a relationship between a cranky father and his equally independent daughter ‘Piku’. A warm, charming and bittersweet family drama.

The cranky old Bengali widower Bhaskor Banerjee’s (Amitabh Bachchan) only child is Architect Piku Banerjee (Deepika Padukone). Bhaskor is obsessed about his health. He is very much dependent on his daughter Piku, who though stubborn and headstrong, bends to her fathers whims. So when Bhaskor wants to visit Calcutta and insists on travelling from Delhi via road, Piku hires Rana (Irrfan Khan) who drives them to Kolkata from Delhi. Rana adds the romantic angle to the movie.

What transpires on this road journey, do Rana and Piku eventually settle down in Holy Matrimony? All these and many more questions are answered in Shoojit Sircar’s family drama ‘Piku’.

‘Piku’ is a warm, charming and bittersweet family drama. The screenplay by Juhi Chaturvedi is outstanding and Sircar’s deft directorial touches fill every frame and every scene with delicious irony. Bengali singer-songwriter-composer Anupam Roy’s musical score is soulful, enhancing the film’s delicate emotional texture. The combination has made ‘Piku’ a unique and memorable film.

Bhashkor Banerjee played by Amitabh Bachchan is the the scene-stealer. As an ill tempered old man, completely obsessed by his bowel moments. He dominates his daughter Piku’s life. Amitabh has added humour too by waylaying Piku’s suitors to let them know that she is no virgin.

Deepika Padukone presents a polished performance as ‘Piku’ uptight with pursed lips, whose life expands from reading her dad’s BP – to reading Rana’s eyes. She is well complimented by actor Irrfan Khan who speaks with his eyes. He has a wide-eyed, raised-eyebrow sexiness, but also sensitive balance between being annoyed and intrigued by Piku – and her mad dad. The romance between the two is understated but quite passionate.

‘Piku’ beautifully explores the most basic bond of life, between a parent and a child. It will ensure that everyone who lives with or has lived with ageing parents will identify with Deepika Padukone’s character.

A must watch for this weekend we say.