Paa ..

I know it is quite late for Paa review.. just happened to see some visuals of Auro on TV and some cynical reviews about the film on the net and could not resist writing .. Well, better late than never, don’t they say?? First things first, it was the best film I saw in 2009.. In a year that saw no releases from Maniratnam (my sisters and I are Maniratnam fanatics.. not just fans !!) and an over emphasis on the dark side of the society with so many films focusing on bomb blasts, terrorism and its aftermath, this film focused on the bright side of life, about positive people, honest politicians and the sheer purity and innocence of the most fascinating phase of anybody’s life – childhood..

And what a performance from the grand old man!! And what a casting coup!! The film is a winner right there .. the sheer brilliance of casting Amitabh, the greatest Indian actor (after this film there are bound to be no doubts about that !!) as the son of Abhishek speaks volumes of the shrewd brain of Balki.. but it is not just Amitabh and Abhishek.. Vidya Balan, Arundathi Nag, Paresh Rawal.. each and every actor fits effortlessly into the character he/she plays, that after a while it is no longer a film.. its an experience.. This is undoubtedly Amitabh’s best performance till date.. What a role to play at 67!! He brings Auro alive in front of our eyes.. From the scene where he skips around the pole in the metro rail with Abhishek watching with a twinkle in his eyes, to where he refuses to enter the rashtrapati bhavan and later explains, ever so sweetly, that he wanted to do potty, to wondering aloud to his grand mom about what might have happened the previous night when he sent his parents home together ..wow, Amitabh at his best .. well, Auro at his best I should say.. since u almost forget Amitabh in the whole process, all you remember is Auro, Auro, Auro ..

Whoever did the costumes for Vidya Balan in this film sure knows his/her job well.. She looks well dressed and dignified fitting her doctor persona in the film.. Her acting skills need no introduction .. and she has an unique face that fits the demure housewife and an intelligent professional in just the same way !! Abhishek does well .. Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Nag are seasoned veterans.. so u expect such performances.. P C Sreeram casts his spell with great visuals and almost makes us believe that Amitabh is indeed a thirteen year old.. And what can one say about Ilayaraja’s music? We have heard some of the tunes in thamizh earlier, but they still sound so fresh .. so evergreen.. this man is a genius.

There has been a somewhat muted response about the film from some sections of the media .. apparently ‘cos of the unnecessary media bashing, as they call it.. I still feel, it is a very intelligent take on how media can be used constructively .. how it is as receptive to the hero, as it is to the villain .. Abhishek is shown as using the same media to own up to his mistake.. The film also shows the healthy mind set of today’s generation who are willing to accept the mistakes of their idols as long as they are honest and ready to make amends .. So I really don’t understand what the noise is all about .. In an era where the news channels are ready to “break the news” of the so called celebrities waking up in the morning and using the loo, Balki just reflects the mindset of the wider society which is getting fed up watching sensationalized news, day in and day out.. It is his way of gently reminding the media may be, that one day even news about them could be sensationalized .. and they better be careful therefore..

Overall, Paa is a very refreshing film with fantastic performances on and behind the screen… Balki clearly knows what he is doing and should not mind short sighted, cynical reviews, ignoring them as aberrations.. Watching Paa is like sitting by the window, reading a nice, cosy novel and watching, hearing and smelling the falling rain :)