Published: 13-Jul-2015
Â
Â
I know this review comes a little late. As it happens in constipation. But a friend recently told me she didn’t get the movie and so I thought maybe I could help her.
What exactly happened? What was the point of the movie? These are the thoughts many might have been left with after Piku ended. Yes, there was an annoying protagonist who couldn’t stop thinking about shit and dies at the end. (I felt bad. I really loved his poop talks) But what was the take away from the movie? There had to be some take away. This wasn’t David Dhawan’s or Sajid Nadiadwala’s movie. It was Shoojit Sircar’s, one who has made good movies like Vicky Donor and Madras Café.
But in this very reaction the movie elicits, lies its achievement. The movie plays out so smoothly that you never give a thought to what it is all about. The story just flows. As it happens in loose motion (diarrhoea for the uninitiated).  Juhi Chaturvedi has created an absorbing and entertaining tale out of mundane, everyday situations, peppered with interesting, eccentric characters.
But wait. Don’t conclude that there wasn’t any message. It is only when you go back and think deeply about the movie that you realize there was a lot the movie was trying to tell you. The master that he is, Shoojit Sircar placed these snippets of food for thought so snugly into the narrative that you never realize it when they happen but appreciate it upon retrospect. Here are a few snippets:
The movie dwells on the touchy topic of parent-child relationship. It is about a daughter taking care of her father at the cost of a comfortable life. Taking care of parents is a child’s duty but at the cost of comfort? Where do you draw the line? Was Piku’s father really concerned about she not losing her independence or was he selfish in asking her to not marry and help him instead.
There were references to women empowerment through the character of Bhaskor (played excellently by Amitabh) who was against women leaving their jobs to show total servitude to their husbands. (low IQ wala baat!)
There were also subtle lessons about one not forgetting their roots through the house sale plot and how ancient Indian practices were logically correct (remember the Indian squat is more effective than the western commode in clearing your bowels)
And finally, my favourite - eat anything and enjoy it. This is what Bhaskor finally concludes after having the mouth-watering street-side kachoris of Calcutta which resulted in his best dump ever.
To conclude, the movie does subtly touch upon important social issues masked by humor which is typical of Sircar (Vicky Donor being another such example). And if you ask me sum it up in 5 words, they would be (just as Bhaskor describes)
“Odbooth…odbooth…best motion (picture) ebhaar”
Â
Disclaimer: This article isn’t intended to offend anyone nor is it to be taken seriously.
Â
