BOLLYWOOD

ZANJEER broke the shackles after 13 consecutive flops. AGNEEPATH was an experiment that had a class of its own. BLACK broke all barriers and now comes PAA. Let's give a standing ovation to the man who dominated the 80s and 90s and continues to surprise with his talent and willingness to subject himself to roles that require make-up for a complete change in appearance. Mr Amitabh Bachchan, for you Sir... the applause refuses to die off...

Playing a 13-year-old with a rare disease which causes him to age before time, Amitabh is class personified. Displaying an amazing flair and getting into character is like a cake-walk for him as Progeria (the disease he suffers from) ravages his tiny body. A special child with special abilities, Auro immediately makes a special place in your heart as you follow his short and brilliant life.

No self pity, just full of masti a kid his age would be. Auro has friends who form his support system apart from his mother (Vidya Balan) and his grandma who he lovingly calls 'Bum'

R Balakrishnan (aka R Balki) has tackled a very complex subject and has brought out the beauty of relationships in a very forceful manner without even one relationship in the movie going over the top. Be it the relationship between Vidya and Auro; Auro and his Bum, Auro and his friends or even Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan) and his dad (Paresh Rawal). Though centered around Auro and his disorder, Balki manages to draw all relationships to the fore.

Balki also manages to throw a positive light on sticky issues. Although he gets the point of the over-enthusiastic media, use of condoms, abortion and the political angle in, he does not sound preachy.

Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till turn a 66-year-old-plus Amitabh  to a very believable 13-year-old with their prosthetic make-up. And Amitabh, with his walking, talking and body language draws you even closer to Auro creating that Aura. Nothing flashy. He just delivers his lines like any, normal 13-year-old would.

Really, this movie is all about Auro and a kid that explodes from Amitabh. Vidya Balan is sedate and super in her role as the caring single mother. Abhishek is solid as the politician who will not let anything come between his dreams and Auro's friend, Vishnu is a treat.

Not much was revealed of the story before the release and I too will not spoil it for you by saying much. All I can say is that the end will have you reaching out for the kleenex.

Yes, Abhishek is his Paa. Yes, it's a rare father-son-son-father story. Yes, I think the makers should also consider putting a proposal to making PAA tax free. Also every paa should take his family for this movie.

Paa kasam, this film will rock you.