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Director: R Balki
Rating:**
How would you feel if your father went on national TV and confessed that you were a result of what was clearly a passionate interlude, minus any thought of consequences? The gap between condom and contraception is filled by 12 year old Auro, who has a bald head, awkward gait, and a disease that’s progressively pushing him into the grave. There’s grace in Auro, but not in ‘Paa’s script, which sags under the weight of many more such obvious statements.
‘Paa’ is the story of a boy who has Progeria, a degenerative disease that accelerates aging manifold. So twelve-going-on-thirteen Auro (Amitabh, in marvellous make-up) suffers from the problems of a frail 80 year old, who, we are told, is in constant mortal danger.
When your lead character’s arc is so defined from the film’s initial frames, you can leaven predictability by taking us places we haven’t been before. But director R Balki doesn’t surprise us enough, and that makes a film that could have been extra-ordinary, less than.
Some of it is nice enough. The interactions between Auro and his schoolmates are lively and engaging, which includes his running away from a cute little girl who’s always chasing him. Twelve year old boys are known to do these things, and the director’s penchant for creating preternaturally wise children (R Balki’s debut ‘Cheeni Kum’ also had a grandmotherly young thing suffering from an incurable disease) stands him in good stead here, overcoming Amitabh’s slight confusion in tone—old man playing a young boy playing an old man.
With his wheedling (don’t want bland ‘khichdi’, want ‘mirchi’), mild sulking and then forgetting when his mom gets him a new Playstation gig (‘isko aise khelte hain’), and a winning, toothless smile, Amitabh-Auro is quite the boy.
The kids are fine; it is the adults who are the problem. Having got Amol (Abhishek Bachchan) and Vidya (Vidya Balan) to come together that one time, the director sends them on their separate ways. So Auro grows up with Mum and Bum-the-grandmum (Arundhati Nag, the only one who gets a fully-realised role, to which she does full justice), and Amol busies himself with playing the most idealistic-and-hardworking MP ever to grace the screen, oblivious that he has a son.
The reunion of father-and-son, which should have been the heart of the film, doesn’t get enough play, as Amol goes after the media (in a heavy-handed, improbable sequence, the ‘clean’ MP is made to unmask ‘corrupt’ mediapersons on TV: what could R Balki be thinking?). Balan, in a role which could have had more impact, is made to spout a speech which consists of ‘irregular periods’ and ‘fibroids’ and ‘appropriate child-bearing age’.
Sure, she plays a gynaecologist, but still. And there is altogether too much potty chatter, which becomes unfunny after a couple of times, spattering the film. Whatever happened to subtlety?
A great score by Ilaiyaraja, some lilting lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, and the kind of cinematography by PC Sreeram (lots of overhead shots) which makes you believe a six foot plus sixty plus could conceivably be an affecting pre-teen, are all enjoyable. But, disappointingly, ‘Paa’ is not as out-of-the-box as it could have been.
(shubhra.gupta@expressinida.com)
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Paa seems a copy, or inspired as they say in Bollywood ;) from a 1996 Hollywood Movie 'Jack' in which Robin Williams plays the role of Jack Powell, a boy who ages four times faster than normal as a result of a disease similar to progeria!!
Certain doctor was talking about realism? few questions for this professional.. Does he know about the real app of progeria? does he think melodrama is real? did the antics of ab's son as a indian politition appear real to him? I will ask him to see a few videos of a progeria child if he has forgotten his medical books..
To make any movie more realistic one need to put lot of efforts in pre-production, where Bollywood has always lacked. IBN network had found and showed two real cases of the same disease. Actually the film makers should have found them and studied them before making this movie. But what can we say about Bollywood who generally copies from Hollywood and other foreign made, readymade movies. This could be the reason why we have the quantity but when u talk about quality, it's better not go there
I have watched both Paa and De dhana dhan. I am quite surprised to see that De Dhana Dhan has been rated at par with Paa. I am not sure if the rating is fair. Somebody has commented that a 6.2 feet person with Progeria is a joke. Did this guy saw the movie to measure the height or to enjoy the movie and admire the acting. Such are the people who lack self esteem and self-respect and admire anything and everything American. Hollywood movies use good technology, but are not realistic. This kind of person with inferiority complex do believe that Jackie Chan can catch a fired bullet and Arnold Schwarzenegger can kill hundreds of people. Anyway, I found Paa super entertaining. Mr. Bachchan has once again proved that he is super genius. By the way your biased rating system may not affect this movie but it will jeopardize your news paper's image.
One of the most meaningless movie, a 13 yr old progeria being played by 6 ft 2 inch able bodied man, who puts on a prosthatic skull, just hope AB does not decide to play a babys role soon trying to take his AB baby name too seriously.... kudos to indian express... I don't know what other reviewers are seeing in this movie.. maybe vested interests
GOOD BUT STIL COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER
Any one who can accept 6 ft 2 inch man as a progeria by just some make up ( prosthatic head) and just hunching and a few gestures and a whole lot of melodrama ARE THE ONE WITH NO MIND ...
Man, it keeps getting better! Why do we have to prove our intellect by calling others idiots? I read a post here that wrote off all who do not appreciate the movie as idiots , and now someone has made a case for the other side of the coin! Dudes, we are individuals because we think differently! It would be no fun if we all thought the same way! And no, that does not make the other guy an idiot!
Amitabh's performance is legendary, this guy has risen the bar to a completely new level! But the movie is just okay! It ran too fast for me, too much 'ah-so-cute' stuff, did not flow from one part to the other well and was left down by the lack of a good, strong script! What was the movie all about anyway? I was begging to be left dumbfound by a dialogue or a moment that hits me hard and it never came! For intelligent folks like 'Sailendra' who claim anyone who does not appreciate the movie is dumb, what can I say dude, you must be a very smart guy! Indian Express have got it spot on, 2 stars for the movie is being generous - and no, I do not work for the newspaper! -)
I would give this movie one star, it is so odd seeing a 6 feet plus man as 13 year old, just putting on a prosthatic skull and few gestures and actions does not make an actor.. read this movies reviews in New york times..
The people who say PAA as a bad movie prove themselves to have got a brainless mind..... The movie is one of the best ones ever made in bollywood.
it is very amazing paper like indian express giving two star to paa i think that you should stop this column
indianexpress and thais artical truely deserve 0 and 0 and 0 stars!!!!
Paa is really very nice movie and the role played by amit ji was superb and awesome.... it deserve the success
its is really nice that we can see in bollywood film like autism,Progeria.many people in india won't care if their children r having these syndromes.we must welcome bollywood to make more films.so that people can know about it.amitji have done good job,well perfomed.can't have word to praise amitji.may god bless u,
idiotic reviw presented by indian express.Not expected .thats why this news paper is loosing its popularity day by day.be geniune.the PAA TRUELY DESERVE 4.5 stars .it is worth watching for every reason.
this is same shubhra gupta who gave A- rating to rab ne bana di jodi,afaik this movie beats hands down,a great movie,definite watch.
keep up the good work shubhra, rather than being a sychopant be yourself.many critics seem to have compromised for reasons best known to them.ghode aur ghadhe mein pharak yehi to hai.
the film has brought the focus on Progeria.
You guys are just appreciating the movie because it has Amitabh Bachan as main protagonist, growup guys your comments show that you are just writing emotionally. There is no doubt that Amitji is a legend in his own right. But even he was part of some of the worst movies of our times. So growup everbody has his own review of movie and if you don't buy it just chill.
Thanks Indian Express !!! This is the only news paper that has stood up to the paid reviews normally published in the other newspapers !!! Believe me , they are utter trash movies yet they are given 3-4 stars.'Paa'is no different.There are sections and performances that are good that has been lauded by subhra.Beyond this it is like any other masala movie that are churned out without any thought. Please keep up the good work !!!
Only the great Amitabh has lifted the movie and Auro.The perfornamce of this actor cannot be described in words, simply superb. Secondly our young politician should take a clue form Amol atre and lift our country to new heights . hats off to abhishek also for the brilliant performance.
indian express needs someone with better credentials to write their reviews. atleast someone who understand the art of cinema. writing trash just to spite someone simply becos u have a medium at ur disposal doesnt augur well for shubhra gupta.. maybe she was watching some other movie while the rest of us were watching PAA.. this review is pedestrian to say the least.. the movie is quite engrossing.. yes there are some subplots that the movie cud have done without but to condemn it like this only shows the gray matter or actually the lack of it in the mind of the reviewer.. sorry to say but this movie deserves nothing less than 3.5 stars..
The movie should have had Sigourney Wvr playing the mother of Auro [ the movie is only and only about Progeria & Auro] No meaning other than that - Very much derailed from "Taare Zameen par" Everybody now a days want the world to see Diseases, Diseases and Diseases - and want the world to applaud for them saying What simple personalities this Dad and Son are ! Give some monetary help to those who are suffering with this disease - No but you will surely find them taking snaps with really suffering kids! Guys take my advise take some Headache tablets! Simple Bakwas!
I pray to god that a child is born in your family with Progeria. You will understand then how will feel. Absolutely nonsense u have written.
This is a very good movie, i watched it last night in Miami. The movie has the right mix of all the flavors. It is a very refreshing movie which is also cited by CNN I report. I am not sure if this person who wrote the reveiw knows the disctinction between a good movie and one which needs to be crticised. I would not go by what this reveiwer has to say. She for sure has no clue of what she is commenting about. I guess Abhishek's balsting of media is justified from poor write ups and reveiws as these.
Subhra might be paid reviewer of some vested circle.The film is really praiseworthy.It might not be popular. But countable in terms of quality. AB, both are great.
I agree with Subhra. The movie is average and doent bore you. However, it is not great. Balki's dialogues for children and others dont reflect Indian sensibilities. The script is not developed very well. Can you believe that a Progeria-afflicted child is allowed to go alone with a 3rd person to Delhi and the 3rd person not talking to the child's parents. Also, I think Progerian child dont grow in height.
Paa is "out-of-the-box" and a very well-made movie. The only part I agree with is the television tirade against journos (did seem a little unreal) but the rest of the movie is just beautiful....especially AB Senior's performance. How is it possible for the director to give strong, performance oriented roles to all the actors when it is primarily about Auro? The film came together well and that is what matters, really! I saw this last night and the film recieved an encore from the audience several times..especially, in the end. The music is just BRILLIANT. Stop reading and go watch it NOW!!