Thank you for the post.... after a long time getting myself to post on IF
I saw Piku at the time it released and being a Bachchan Fan... it was primarily about him... he was so good that, Bhaskor left me exasperated! So ya that was a well deserved National Award! I remember coming out & saying only Rana was the sane character caught between the difficult father & daughter pair!
But since Irrfan left... have been binge watching his movies & have already seen Piku thrice! Thrice in a week coz it was that special a movie, Primarily the reason for me to fall in love with the movie is Rana. Rana is all heart... endearIng himself to Bhaskor and Piku leaves a big smile on you face no matter how many times you see it ... his ability to understand Piku even without her saying anything, his willingness to indulge Bhaskor... . Doesn’t make him saintly.... just makes him human, a very pure one at that!
Yes, the father daughter are at the Center of the movie... it was their story.... but Rana breezed in and they smiled again...effortlessly & with a lightness they had forgotten!
My fave part of the story... Piku & Rana.
The relationship between Piku and Rana is subtle & sublime.... esp them exploring the undeniable attraction like mature adults & not shy teenagers... their communication across room or seat with just a glance, eyebrow lift or a smile... to allowing the other to see their hurt/ vulnerability... all this was done without a spoken word to drive home the point that they had found a soul connection! Rana lashes out at Bhaskor for emotionally blackmailing his daughter. He steered Piku away with a pretence of an outing when he saw the discussion about her mother’s death was upsetting her. Him immediately tuning into her disappointment at having missed a chance to play badminton with him( thank god for the last scene). Piku admonishing her dad for being insensitive about his father’s death. Though she was disappointed he wasn’t staying back... her calm smile when he leaving was as if she was assuring him & herself that they had just started & it wasn’t a good bye. He didn’t have to say ‘phone karunga’, she knew he would! I guess the beauty of the couple was in their simplicity & genuine emotions & a maturity to explore the equation!
I was rooting for a separate Piku & Rana story... but now with Irrfan gone... I don’t want another! I am perfectly content imagining various scenarios playing out in Piku & Rana life... filled with witty banters, companionable silences & domestic bliss. From Rana showing up at office to pick her instead of their driver and taking her on impromptu date all the while maintaining he was giving his harassed employee a break😉 Syed’s dismayed surprise at the two being a couple when the last time he checked, both were after eachother’s throat🤣 Piku & Rana driving down to Kolkata for their wedding (at the ancestral home)... reliving the memories of the trip that got them together😊! Mausi & Kaki squabbling to give Piku the best on her wedding with Rana playing the referee & Piku’s eye roll at their antics😆! Piku reaching out to his mom like he did for her dad! A Sunday morning spent with Rana fixing a electric installation, Piku gardening and Budhan shuttling between the two to help out.... followed by a game of Badminton! An Indulgent Rana caring for a pregnant Piku & her mood swings! Rana & a junior annoying the hell out of Piku for d mess they create around the house.... And Many more dreams to fulfill as they growing old together.... Yup, the magic of their story has me day dreaming and smiling more, Thanks to Irrfan & Deepika for being the perfect Rana & Piku...
I also realised what makes the movie beautiful is it’s soulful Music & lyrics that captures emotions with it simplicity & profoundness!
This movie has become a favourite... 5 years too late.... but better late than never! I can today appreciate that Deepika was a revelation as Piku.... Rana, the most lovable character of Irrfan and yes, Bhaskor’s ability to annoy the staunchest of Bachchan fans who at the same time is proud of the National Award makes this movie special to me
Thank You Irrfan, for making me give Piku another fair chance and realise Piku is not only a national award winning Big B film... but a warm story with its heart in the right place which will always make me smile... just like the way I am now! Hopefully you are up there smiling too! Rest in Peace & Glory, Irrfan! ❤️
Anupamaa
Indian Idol 15
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