Paa
Tags: flashback

Plot synopsis:
Auro (Amitabh Bachchan) is an intelligent and witty 12-year-old boy with an extremely rare genetic disorder called progeria. Mentally he is twelve and 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 Gynaecologist. Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan) is a young, cold-blooded 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; however, Vidya conceals this from him. Amol meets Auro when he visits Auro's school as a chief guest. He comes on the occasion of a competition on the "visionary of India". Amol decides Auro as the winner, impressed by the white globe he made. But being with such a big politician Auro was found by the media. The next day the media tries to enter his school. Auro, annoyed at this, sends him an e-mail, which says "I hate you". Amol reads it and takes a restraining order from High Court stating that nobody can disturb him without permission. Auro, relieved, tells him of his desire to visit the president's house. But due Amol's political issues he fails to make it on the decided day. Auro, however, loses confidence in him but later agrees to go to Delhi with him although he now knows that Amol is his father. Though Amol does not know that Auro is his son, he takes him to Delhi to see the president's house. Auro says that he still needs to forgive Amol for his first mistake (not accepting him), but he doesn't tell him what it is. When on his 13th birthday he is in hospital he tells his mistake. Auro tries to get his mother and father back together, but Vidya resists, still hurt by the fact that Amol wanted her to have an abortion when they first found out she was pregnant. Amol realises his mistake though, and proposes to Vidya, as he is still in love with her. He stays by Auro's side when he finds out that Auro is his son. Auro's health begins to deteriorate as he reaches his 13th birthday, his physical defects catching up. However, he is finally able to reunite his mother and father once again as Vidya gives in to her feelings for Amol and her motherly love for Auro. They get married in the hospital a fake one, so they can do the real one later. Auro, succumbing to his disease, says his last words "Maa" to Vidya and "Paa" to Amol before dying with a satisfied smile. The movie ends in the rain with Vidya mourning Auro's death as Amol comforts her as she remembers Auro dancing.

Review: The credits began, and Jaya Bachchan could be heard individually pronouncing each name (the cast, the team behind the movie), and slowly, by the time she reached "Writer and Director", you wished her to stop.
Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role delivers a sweet performance, and Abhishek is seen trying very hard to fit in.
The cinematography was simple and fulfilling, though the editing required spicing up.In the end, definitely go watch Paa. I was disappointed to find only 15 had come for the first day first show...
R Balki arrives with his second film after Cheeni Kum (2007), starring Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Paresh Rawal and introducing a twelve-year old child actor.
Maybe something in the portrayal of Auro's relationship with his mother could have been better done, though I liked how Balki portrayed his friendship with school kids, particularly a boy named Vishnu.Bachchan's casting in the role of Auro, which created a lot of buzz and curiosity pre-release, was brave and bold, but frankly speaking, it would have been more interesting to see a child actor playing Auro.
Bachchan is somewhat overly tall for the role and since all of us know Auro is played by the great Amitabh Bachchan, it reduces the level of credibility in the film's authenticity, and many may feel it was made to showcase his greatness and to evoke such reactions as "wow!
Hardly recognisable under this heavy mask of make-up, he naturally transforms into a little, intelligent kid of our times and is thoroughly convincing.Abhishek Bachchan, playing his real-life father's father is strictly okay in a role that is not very deep or demanding but still contributes to the film significantly.
"Paa" evidently proves that Bollywood has still not lost it all and we still have film-makers who can deliver movies at par with the other parts of the world.
Truly speaking, Amitabh literally sends every reviewer in search of new words to praise his impeccable and incomparable act of 'Auro' in "Paa".Right from the first scene introducing "Auro" in his school function, the veteran actor makes you believe what you are seeing.
Especially in the scenes where he is interacting with his kid friends in their own school lingo and in the emotional climax sequence inside the hospital, Auro goes on to set new benchmarks for the entire Indian Film Industry.
Though the script has some unnecessary references of political activities and slums which could have been easily avoided, but the spotless performances of the entire cast don't let you ponder over these needless insertions and the movie goes on impressing you continuously.Unexpectedly Amitabh is not the only one to watch out in the movie.
For Vidya's effortless performance, I would only like to say that in all these years of movie watching, she is the only female actress who reminded me of Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan and her flawless natural acting.To feel what I am trying to say, just carefully watch the scene where Vidya gives Auro her approval to visit Delhi.
She exactly acts like Jaya in that particular scene.Abhishek Bachchan as the truthful politician and father of 'Auro', delivers another polished act on the lines of his "Guru" and "Yuva".
Both Vidya and Abhishek share a very cozy chemistry on screen which actually helps a lot in enhancing the overall impact of 'Auro' on the viewers.The third worth mentioning act comes from Arundhati Naag, who plays Vidya's mother and Auro's naani, whom he fondly calls as Bums.
Last but not the least come all the child artists in the movie, who are intelligent enough to understand the pain and suffering of their friend "Auro" and try to help him out wherever they can.
Kudos to the duo to achieve this herculean task and hats off to Amitabh Bachchan for undergoing such a painful process in this age.Honestly, the main highlight of the movie is that even when the story revolves around a diseased character with an abnormal behavior, the director is simply not interested in taking you onto an emotional journey at all.
Balki rightly deserves all the praises.In short the movie is an amazing must watch experience for everyone still enjoying the gift of life at any age.
In other words, only one statement can match the unbelievably expressive and impressive act of Amitabh Bachchan in the movie.He once again proves that at present he is the only "Big Paa" for the entire Indian film Industry..
Paa...a great movie...I have seen it yesterday....loved it...story is simple and subtle, the characters are really very good...Big B...he has shown his one more form of acting, no one could compete him on this....
she looked beautiful in sari's....Abhishek Bachan has enacted the role of a Young Indian Politicain sincerely...if all India Politicians, become like him, we wont have any more corruption in India...Paresh Rawal is good in a brief role and Bum is exceptional...Technically, the movie is very well directed and the dialouges are very good...
The movie revolves around progeria and has a wonderful story around it.Amitabh Bachchan excels as Auro, he delivers an astonishing performance as a kid.
Paresh Rawal is again absolutely wonderful as Amols father, his expressions always rock.All in all, I am very pleased with this movie, after a great start with Cheeni Kum, R.
Balki is on his way to settle his name amongst the quality directors of Bollywood.The music is foot-tapping, the best of the lot is of course "Mudi mudi", of which the scenes in the film have been edited so beautifully.Paa is beautiful, go watch it on the big screen while you still can!
The children just looked old, why does fiction take undue advantage of medical science.Sr. Bachchan who plays the character called Auro, I would not be surprised, if we have dolls being sold in Shoppers Stop, Big Bazaar, very soon.
But one thing for sure, whenever Auro is in front of the screen, he just lightens up the moment.This movie it seems like Bachchan Sr. is passing the baton to Bachchan Jr. It is high time, he does that.
(Reference to Jack on IMDb) Songs are well intertwined and the lyrics bring an amazing soothing effect to the whole scene, last time this feeling seeped into the heart, mind, body and soul, during Taare Zameen Par. Hichki, Hichki and Mere Paa is simple and nice and my favourites.The movie has its moments, but it just doesn't make you cry.
While Auro's rare and incurable disability of 'Progeria' seems like a tragic foundation for a story whose characters are enacted by Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan and Amitabh Bachchan, R.
The last quality is especially depicted on screen through the sincere performances by Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan, Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Nag. However, there is no superlative adjective in the dictionary for what Amitabh Bachchan has done and achieved in this film.
I meanit has Big B & (most of his) family, awesome(?) make-up & a story that'll make u laugh/cry & bring your families close.Hah!Come one, come alltoday's lesson is called 'Magic Of Marketing' or 'How-to-sell-crap to unsuspecting fools'To start, It seems no popular film reviewer wanted to be in the bad books of Bachan family, so an avg rating of 2.5-4 out of 5 has been doled out, but let me stick my neck out & say it with absolute candor: Paa is pathetic.*Gasp* How could I say such a thing?Well for starters, this movie completely failed to 'entertain' me.
Yesterday I watched Paa and after seeing this movie I found this movie to be really really mind blowing and indeed very influential.The concept was fresh and the growth of the story was too natural.Nothing was out of the way!I don't see any huge mistakes in directions and lets take it simply as the way it was intended to be made.This is one of the movie which can make u bring tears and u can spend the evening thanking God that you were one of the luckiest one who did not had a fate like Auro.The few drops that i poured at the end of the movie was an acid test that this movie is no rubbish.Paa is mainly about watch Mr Amitabh Bachaan aka Auro a child suffering from Progeria the greatest actor of all times.What mostly enthralled me was the cheerful and never sad Auro even he knew he was dying every moment.Should not we be learning from him rather criticizing about the fact that it could have been "much better"??Come on guys wake up and see Auro with an open mind and plz leave ur intellectual eyes back at home.This movie is about a simple and absolutely loving boy Auro and lets take it as it is.It is about laughing with Auro and loving Auro with all your heart.God bless you Auro and all the crew!!U guys were simply mind blowing!!.
Amitabh Bachan was neither convincing nor real in the kid's role and I wish insight and discrimination had taken over in a feeble attempt at trying to be a character in this movie.
how about casting a child actor with make-up..uh ah..no this movie is just to show-case the acting(?)skills of Bachan and he wants to play son to his son..just for the sake of WOW factor..and progeria is just a freaking excuse..however if anyone is ready to digest the fact that an old man is playing the role of a progeria child (with a HORRIBLE FREAKY LOOKING prosthetic make-up)..guess he would not need make-up at all..if he would just shave his head..it would be perfect LOL.Paa is the height of casting mistake and a ridiculous one at that..
I had zero expectations from Paa. I was not that interested, but thought to give it a chance after knowing that Mr.Bachchan is playing a 12-year old kid.
R.Bali should be applauded for making an attempt like Paa. Note-worthy Performances: Mr.Bachchan as Auro, natural to the core.
Paa is a lovely offbeat emotional movie revolving around a character suffering from an extremely rare disease of Progeria (rapid aging of the human body).
PROS of Paa1 - No cheap melodrama 2 - Sensitively handled story 3 - Positive portrayal of a progeria-afflicted Auro who is fun-loving and very intelligent 4 -Strong female characters in Vidya Balan & Arundhati Nag5 - Soulful music by the great IlayarajaCONS of Paa1.
Editing is precise except for a couple of sequences (both are related to politics), where it seemed that the director is enforcing his idea of 'cool' politician.Now, the acting is one thing that has to be surely appreciated by almost all who have acted except one, that's Abhishek Bachchan, I request him to learn acting or do it or just get off the screen and give screen space to better actors.
The acting of Vidya Balan is top notch but the real stealer is Amitabh, agreed, that the makeup, voice, teeth, eyes were deliberate attempts to make him look like a progeria affected child, but the performance delivered is one that is surely world class.
Abhishek, in spite of a somewhat weakly written and insufficient role, performs adequately, as do the supporting actors Paresh Rawal and especially Arundathi Nag as "Bum" (watch it to find out why).
The movie was staged around a 12 year old boy suffering from this rare disease - Progeria, but it failed to give it's central theme more depth and understanding of the character.
The great thing was the movie did not waste its time on showing the early romance between Vidya Balan and Abhishek Bachaan, which ideally should have given more time to focus on the central character- 12 year old boy.
I had expected the movie to be very emotional like Taare zameen par and coming from Mr Balki whom hardly anybody knows the expectations were really low.
One good thing about the movie was auros character was consistent through out.
We have seen people change their course of lives seeing pressing things around and I believe movies too have a significant role to play.Regarding the content of the movie, I found it very lucid, with no compulsion of over doing anything (acting, cinematography, music, screenplay) which makes it all the more endearing..
Today I went to the first day first show of this movie being a big time Amitabh Bachchan fan.
He should have concentrated more on the emotional side rather than concerning the Comic side.Amitabh Bachchan's makeup was superb and his acting as always but as I said the Director completely failed to show any scene which could be remembered.
There is only one good scene when Auro (Amitabh Bachchan) is first introduced in the movie and his facial expressions were superb and great acting performed by him.
But the Director should have shown us the emotional side of AURO (Amitabh Bachchan ) that what a child who is aging rapidly (Suffering from Progeria) feels in daily life.
Paresh Rawal as a retired, 'i understand the system' politician' Abhishek as a next gen politician with a very 'today' view of what politics should be, Vidhya as a strong single mother bringing up a challenged child.But the movie fails.
The reason i'm going with 2 stars for this movie is only for Amitabh Bachchan's role.
First of all Hats off for Amitabh Bachchan and Balki Amitabh who off recent has done several bad films like ALADIN redeems himself and comes back with a bang with PAABalki after the refreshing and likable CHEENI KUM comes yet again with something that is different and nice and against stereotype The film isn't a sentimental or a film like TZP here the film is treated like a light film even though the disease is shown which is nice perhaps ppl are used to see the sentimental side The film starts well, Amitabh's character is well introduced and his scenes are nice Even Abhishek- Amitabh scenes or Amitabh scenes with his family are treated well and look realistic The film is however ruined by the added subplot of Amitabh's political campaigns which take the film away from the plot but otherwise the film is well handled The climax too though melodramatic is well handledDirection is good Music is okayAmitabh excels as AURO, in fact he creates history and is flawless Abhishek too does a good job as Amol Vidya is excellent, after several reptitive roles she finally tries something different and does a good job Arundati Naag is good too The rest are all good Paresh too is good in a cameo.
'Paa' is very much its own film (at least I hope it's original) and it's better than Balki's previous movie 'Cheeni Kum'.What I liked about it most were the scenes that involved Auro, Vidya and Bum. They were very believable as a family.
I liked how homely and cosy Auro's house looks.'Paa' is a decent watch and is mostly likable for the characters and Vidya Balan and Amitabh Bachchan's performance..
R.Balki is great.His stories are not the ones which cine goers have been watching.Kudos to him!He tries out something different something fresh.His last outing Cheeni Kum depicting about a 64 year old man loving a 34 year old woman.Similarly Paa also has a very rare story.Which Bollywood has never experimented.Paa depicts on the disease Progeria.Paa has something else too-it has Amitabh Bachchan never like before.
Performance wise-Amitabh Bachchan deserves no amount of praises for his acting as Auro.He is incredible.No wonder he won the National Award for Best Actor For Paa. Abhishek Bachchan is superb.Vidya is excellent.Arunhdati Nag is amazing.Paresh Rawal is funny in a brief role.Overall,watch Paa for only one reason for Amitabh Bachchan.
Balki's screenplay and direction are a couple of notches higher from his previous effort in Cheeni Kum. And just like his previous venture, he has surrounded the film with other fantastic actors like Abhishek, Arundhati, Paresh Rawal and Vidya Balan.
Amitabh is mind bobbling in playing Auro in Paa. A delightful treat to watch from start to end.
Amitabh Bachchan re-launches himself and his production company with 'Paa', and the expectations are huge.Auro, a 12 year-old with Progeria, a condition that physically ages the patient 5 times faster, lives with his Mum and Bum (grandmother).
Watch it for Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan..
Kudos to you and your team for PAA.All through the movie, its difficult to believe thats its truly AB, he has a child-like voice throughout the film (including the song played with the end credits), his gait is that of a child imitating an ape, with the very distinctive HO HO!!!
The Dialogues, just as in Cheeni Kum are sharp and witty.Hats off to the cinematographer who has skillfully pictured Mr Bachchan from a higher angle is order to make him look shorter than he really is.Jayaji looks wonderful and her natural self, reading the credits in the beginning of the movie.The music including the background score is awesome.Abhishek and Vidya do justice to their roles, though Vidya does seem the more matured actor of the two, except at the very end when Abhishek's lineage is displayed in the closing scene with Auro-Class Act.Bum, Auro's Naani and Auro's interaction with her is very sweet.The other kids in the movie are also a pleasant watch especially the kid complaining about his father to Auro.One leaves the hall mesmerized by Mr Bachchan's role...I'm out of words and would need time to fill in more about my experience.Then then, please go and watch the film....A small request to other members on IMDb, please don't write about the climax of the film, let everyone watch (experience) it for themselves...GO WATCH...BE AMAZED!!!Kuunal.
In an interview R Balki, the director of the movie, had boasted that when he was in the office of Amitabh Bachchan one day he saw the banter between Abhishek and his father as the role reversal.