RajKumar Hirani’s PK (2014) Movie Review

Movie Review: PK
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani
Co-Producer: Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Cast: Aamir Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla
Production Company: Vinod Chopra Production
Runtime: 153 Minutes
Watched at Prasadz (Screen 4), Hyderabad

Rajkumar Hirani’s PK is a satire on various issues like political beliefs, religion, superstitions and rigorous mindset of our society. Director rather coming up with a solution to blind worshipping, Following Godmen and topics of Religion leave the viewer to answer them by questioning such practices through Aamir Khan. I don’t know why it was raved high as this film failed to project any new idea other than Aamir’s alien character. PK starts off as an original and daring film, but takes a turn for the life time 1/2 of the way in and ends up being not nearly as effective as it could have been.

The movie is the story of PK (Aamir Khan), a man who seemingly appears out of nowhere in the middle of Mandava dessert. His locket (a beacon to call the space ship) gets stolen, which is his passport to his UFO. Where he meets Bhairon Singh (Sanjay Dutt) a band master in Rajasthan. He tells Bhairon about his locket and Bhairon advises him that something as expensive as that must have been sold in New Delhi and sends PK to Delhi in order to find his locket. Accidentally PK bumps into TV reporter Jaggu Sahani (Anushka Sharma) distributing pamphlets in a metro train and she sets out to try, discover who PK really is, and what his issue with the god is. Trusting her god heart PK states he’s from another gola (Planet), where they don’t wear clothes, only communicate through telepathy, and even they make silly comedy films. Okay, I made that last one up. Believing his words, Jaggu promises to help him to find his locket. I’m not going to write much more about the story, because I’d probably give away some pretty important plot points. What I will say is that it’s a clever movie that will keep you interested until – and maybe after – the final scenes.

The movie storyline does get a ring of Mork & Mindy (Alien feels sad assists a young girl) Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (Alien being coming to the planet and getting struck on earth), K-Pax (creating a paradox regarding the Alien) and Oh! My God (As PK swipes on the orthodox religious tenets) to it at several stages this makes it very predictable. Director Rajkumar Hirani earlier tinkered weird stereotypic prevailing in medical field with Munnabhai MBBS (which was slightly inspired from “Patch Adams”) then he doddered corruption with Gandigiri Lage Raho Munnabhai, followed by a wipe on the conservativist education system n the form of 3 Idiots. This time director opts religious anarchy of some godmen, who has fallen in the reach of this ace director.

Writers (Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijit Joshi and Sreerag Nambiar) try several themes together that entertain in the first half, yet fumble in the second as many unbelievable themes get juggled all at once. PK was a year late as Oh! My God scored high for its novelty concept questions for the same set of things. There were too many deviations in for  PK a broken heart story, Father-Daughter story, Real Vs Commercial journalism, Misunderstandings, Relationship and terrorism. The movie fails to project seriousness of any single issue and made the mess of this undercooked and poorly served stew. It particularly blames Hindu godmen for religious (superstitions – Idol Worshiping – beliefs) advocating and upholding it. There are momentaneous references of Christianity, Islam, Jain and Sikh as well but its done quite reverentially and carefully to ensure that the film doesnot tramp down on the toes of their clergy. Its intelligently avoids treading on Pakistani toes as well. Why do film makers have such a level of comfort with Hinduism, as their godman ends up being the bad guy? Are we saying that there are no such representatives in other religions who take advantage of people’s faith for their own gains, or promoting their own brand of religion? There is even train blast sequence and director stays indefinite about the perpetrators of the heinous deeds. Climax utterly abysmal it seems like Raju is making parody of old hat concept.

Scenes I Liked:
*Alien Point
*Aamir’s Defence Strategy at the Temple
*Mahatma Gandhi Note Scene
*Idol chamatkar at the Temple
*Bathroom scene
*Condom Questionnaire

Music remains another weaker section of PK as no song remains with you after the screening. Songs like Chaar Kadam and Bhagwan are fine due to good rendition by the singers. The cinematography and Background Score are major highlights of the film. Editing of the film is okay. Dialogues in the film are good in parts, Like, Bhagwan ko koujna thats Religion, Agar Bhagwan milgaya tho that’s News.

Coming to performances of the film, Aamir Khan is terrific and carries the film from start to finish. He completely transforms physically and emotionally into the role as an Alien drifter. Anushka Sharma shouldn’t get overlooked here either. Although she had so little time on-screen, she couldn’t have played the role more perfectly and lively. Sushanth Singh Rajput is allright in his cameo; Whereas Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani and Saurabh Shukla are confined to small roles quite surprisingly. Theres also a little surprise in the end for the viewers as another superstar makes his surprise entry.