Paa

Amitabh Bachchan’s talent seems to have no bounds. R Balki’s second directorial venture Paa stars or rather introduces Amitabh Bachchan as a 12 year old boy Auro, suffering from Progeria, a rare genetic disease augmenting the aging process and reducing the lifespan. Amitabh Bachchan’s get up is commendably well executed and unless you know he is Amitabh Bachchan, you will not get to know he is Amitabh Bachchan. Auro, the 12 year old high spirited boy, is out of the wedlock with a single parent (Vidya Balan). Vidya Balan plays the role of a well to do gynecologist, an independent woman, much similar in ideology to the role of Tabu from Balki’s last film Cheeni Kum. All the actors in the film have done justice to their role with Vida Balan striking out the most, of course with the exception of Amitabh Bachchan, whose performance will most probably fetch him his third Silver Lotus (national award.)

The cinematography of the film is decently poised with extensive use of wide angle lenses to limit Amitabh Bachchan’s height for the character of 12 year old Auro. The storyline keeps switching from tackling the issues of single parenthood and Progeria to corruption, slum dwelling, political power plays and awareness on safe sex, which arguably become a hindrance to main plot of Auro. Balki has touched the surface issues of Progeria, without paying attention to the psychology of the child suffering from it. The film is shot with an overtly optimistic perspective and the unnecessary time given to Abhishek Bachchan’s character of a young politician is definitely a mood breaker. The background score of the film is well paced and synchronized with the story. The film should carry an ‘Above 12’ viewership certificate as the issues of children out of wedlock, condom and the intimate scenes are not ideal for audience below 12 years of age.

Balki is definitely a fine director but both his films have suffered from confused themes, hence Cheeni Kum missed the due recognition for their film craft and the same might be applicable for Paa. Though predictable the film’s ending is emotional none the less. Sticking comparisons can be traced between Paa and Cheeni Kum in terms of portrayal of women, sympathy towards ailing child, social message and well tuned sense of humour. All said and done, Paa as an overall infotainment package is a must watch film and you can walk in the theatre with your hearts locked to your lungs otherwise Auro will steal them with his Auromania!