Ujjwol Lamichhane

Directed by: R. Balakrishnan (as R. Balki)
Produced by: Amitabh Bachchan Corporation(AB Corp Ltd.) and Sunil Manchanda
Written by: R Balakrishnan
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Naag
Music by: Ilaiyaraja
Cinematography: P.C. Sriram
Editing by: Anil Naidu
Release date: 4 December 2009
Running time: 164 min
Country: India
Language: Hindi

Synopsis:
Auro (Amitabh Bachchan) is an intelligent and witty 13-year-old boy with an extremely rare genetic defect that causes accelerated aging. He suffers from a progeria-like syndrome. Mentally he is 13, very normal, but physically he looks five times older. In spite of his condition, Auro is a very happy boy. He lives with his mother Vidya (Vidya Balan) who is a gynecologist. Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan) is young, progressive and a full-of-ideals politician. He is out to prove to the world that ‘politics’ is not a bad word. He is a man with a mission. Auro is Amol’s son. PAA is a rare story about a father-son, son-father relationship.

Review:
This is as said is a rare story about a father-son, son-father relationship. This movie is an story of 13-year-old Auro with an extremely rare genetic defect called progeria (the term progeria is derived from the greek word geras, meaning old age) that causes accelerated aging. Auro is the son of Vidya and Amol who doesn’t know that her girlfriend Vidya had this child. The story of child Auro, mom Vidya and paa Amol who is an idealistic young member of parliament, is a nice twist of family, school, dreams, society, politics and many more. The story written by adman turned film director R Balki keeps you hooked with the plot till the end credits starts to roll. The story is strong and daring. Daring in the sense that it is not hesitating. The words are as natural as it was meant to be except some dialogues of Auro in English. The story is filled with emotions and serious drama and does not let you down on any single frame.

Amitabh Bachchan as auro gives commendable performance though he is barely recognized as he is all covered with prosthetic makeup. Auro brings outs the creative 13 year old kid. Whether be it at home, school and hospital you can see the child behind the 80 year old body. Abhishek Bachchan plays the India’s youngest, brightest, coolest M.P. He has done a praise-worthy work in the movie. He manages to give the neta look with the white linen kurta pajama. Vidya Balan as Vidya who is an successful single-mom, gynecologist looks stunning throughout the movie in her designer sarees. I think this one of the Vidya’s best movie performance. Every frame of the screen with Vidya is an pleasure to watch. Arundhati Naag superbly fits into the role of Vidya supportive mother and Paresh Rawal as Amol dad is flawless as always. Not forgetting the Auro’s friends in the school, actors have done amazing work in this movie.

The music is Paa is not conventional. Veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja has scored the music of paa. “Mudhi mudhi Ittefaq Se” by Shilpa Rao is melodious and my personal favorite.”Mudhi mudhi ittefaq se” has two more versions — “Udhi udhi”, an extension of the original and ”Gali mudhi” that has vocals by Shaan. It is slower in pace but equally nice. “Gumm Summ Gumm” is also a nice hear. The Paa theme is cool, bright and lovable. Others songs are just good but great with visuals.

Prosthetic Makeup by by Hollywood’s Christien Tinsley (famous for his work in The Passion of the Christ, Catwoman and other films) and Dominie Till The Lord of the Rings film trilogy fame is also one of the highlights of the movie.Editing is one the best aspect of the movie. The 2 hour and 20 minute is an well crafted and edited piece of work by Anil Naidu. Visuals of Mudhi Mudhi is an great job by every behind the screen people in this film. P.C. Sriram as the cinematography has managed to capture everything from romance, emotions to house, school, hospital in an amazing and vivid way. This movie made within and tight budget of 15 core is an awesome job by the production team. And the creative way in the movie credit roll at the beginning, in which Jaya Bachan reads the credit is great.

Overall, the film is an must see for Vidya and other worker’s amazing work. You will get to see and feel the mother’s love and of course very rare story about a father-son, son-father relationship.

Consensus:

This film should be renamed Maa.

Tagged: Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, movie, paa, Review, Vidya Balan