• Midhun Ben Thomas (Dilseben)
    Midhun Ben Thomas (Dilseben)
    160 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    7

    Big B's appearances on the big screen has been far & few in the recent past after all it makes sense to be selective at this stage of his illustrious career. His previous release was "Shamitabh" in which he rocked & now we have "Piku" lined up for release. With a stellar cast in the form of Irrfan Khan & Deepika on tow; I certainly do have high hopes on this movie. In addition, it is directed by Shoojit Sircar who had impressed with his previous ventures. So will "Piku" pull in crowds especially since the publicity was rather low key???

    Piku (Deepika Padukone) is a successful architect who had a tough time managing her career & personal life thanks to her chronically constipated hypochondriac father Bhaskor Banerjee (Big B). He constantly bickered with every individual that he came across be it the housemaid, his helper etc which created persistent headaches & embarrassments for his daughter. Bhaskor was obsessed about his bowel movements & that invariably took centre stage in every topic of discussion with Piku. Just like his other whims & fancies, one fine day he takes the decision to visit his ancestral home in Kolkata & insists on travelling by road. As always, Piku gives in to his wishes & make arrangements for their trip. How this trip eventually pans out forms the crux of the movie.

    After having impressed one & all with movies like "Madras Cafe" & "Vicky Donor", Shoojit Sircar is back with his latest venture "Piku" along with his partner in crime, Juhi Chaturvedi. He has once again done a fine job with a subject which we experience at some point of our lives & that is, a shift in responsibility. Juhi has to be appreciated for a commendable script which actually dealt with the serious topic of taking care of our parents but it maintained a light hearted undertone thanks to its hilarious dialogues. As for other technical aspects, the costume designer & make up artists needs to be applauded for Big B & Deepika's appearances.

    Big B was fantastic as the grumpy senile individual who made sure that he maintained the meter as there was the risk of overdoing it & reducing the character to a caricature. Since the past year or so, Deepika's career graph has been constantly on the rise with commercial & critical successes, the latter quality unlikely to figure in the report cards of many of the top notch actresses. She has improved by leaps & bounds with each passing movie which explains the reason for her apt portrayal of Piku. Coming to Irrfan Khan, he was awesome as usual & makes his presence felt in an emphatic manner though it wasn't as meaty a role as the other two. As for the rest of the cast, Moushumi Chatterjee impresses while Raghuvir Yadav has done a decent job.

    Verdict: Just like "Vicky Donor", this will also grow on the audience with time & will thrive on the positive word of mouth which its likely to garner in abundance. It might seem a bit off-beat but you can rest assured that you will be thoroughly entertained. In short, don't miss this bowel movement!!!

    Rating: 3.5/5

    Regards...Ben









    September 18, 16
  • Saheb Abdullah
    Saheb Abdullah
    82 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    7

    I Love All The 3 Characters In This Movie..So Well Written And Well Acted.Very Well Directed By Shoojit.I Kept Asking For More At The End.

    May 02, 16
  • Dev
    Dev
    32 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    8

    Piku Directed by Shoojit Sircar which is behind Vicky Donor and Madras cafe is an unexpected journey which will stand in somewhere between The Lunchbox and Finding fanny in case of charm.The story is simple but the execution make it a must watch.The real life moments in the movie make it different than others.The acting was good too. Camera work is perfect.

    May 26, 15
  • Bubbly
    Bubbly
    41 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    6

    Women-oriented movies are a big business now. A few years back, they were scoffed at and consigned to 'women only' category as audience was limited for these targeted movies. Some became a commercial hits but others were the festival stuff or critics' 'delight'. But they were not on par with heroes' commercial movies.

    Over the years, matters have changed gradually. Heroine-centric movies are not only being watched, they are doing big business. The heroine is slowly becoming the 'hero'. Each heroine is doing at least one woman-centric film. They are low-budgeted so if they make profit, it is like icing on the cake. Mind you, they are not artistic in the traditional sense or parallel cinema. The line has blurred. And these movies are totally mainstream. These movies add to their acting portfolio too. While some women roles are memorable, many films are based on women.

    Right from Seeta Devi (Durgesh Nandini, 1927), Zubeida (Alam Ara, 1931), Leela Chitnis (Bandhan, 1940), Nargis (Mother India, 1957), Madhubala (Mughal-e-Azam, 1960), Meena Kumari (Pakeezah, 1972), Simi Garewal (Karz, 1980), Meenakshi Seshadri (Damini, 1993), Aishwarya Rai (Provoked, 2006), Preity Zinta (Kya Kehna, 2000), Tabu (Chandni Bar, 2001), Karisma Kapoor (Zubaida, 2001), Lisa Ray (Water, 2005), Kajol (Gupt, 1997), Shilpa Shetty (Phir Milenge, 2004), Sushmita Sen (Filhaal, 2002), Mallika Sherawat (Murder, 2004), Vidya Balan (Kahaani, 2012), Rani Mukerji (Black, 2005), Kareena Kapoor (Heroine, 2012), Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom, 2014), Kalki Koechlin (Margarita With A Straw, 2015), Kangana Ranaut (Queen, 2014), Anushka Sharma (NH10, 2015), Alia Bhatt (Highway, 2014), and Deepika Padukone (Piku, 2015), and the list continues to 2015 and still pouring. It will go on till the cinema is alive, for without women there is no life.

    Back to Piku. It is the story of a father-daughter relationship that is surviving with bowel movements and then a road trip! Well, this is the gist of the story.

    70-year-old Bhashkor Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan) resides in Delhi along with his 30-year-old daughter Piku (Deepika Padukone). It is not easy tolerating Bhashkor as he is obsessed with his bowel movement. Piku works to run home. She has her own insecurities and ways to deal with them. Rana Chaudhary (Irfan Khan) is a taxi company owner, who secretly admires Deepika and helps out this Bengali family. As Bhashkor ages, he wishes for a trip to his home place Kolkata. Due to his bowel habits, he cannot think of travelling in plane. So a road trip it should be in Rana's cab with the potty place on top of the cab. Constipation plays a deadly role in cutting short Bhashkor's long life. Relief. Piku unites with Rana or on some such note the movie ends.

    The story is simply but the light hearted comedy arising out of Amitabh's constipation propels the movie. Of course, there is a real father - daughter relationship that at times is turbulent. Akshay Oberoi is in a cameo as Dippy's suitor. It was a delight to see Moushumi Chatterjee in the movie. Well, the movie could be called deePIKA (not PITA or PAKA) or PADUkone (stinks!) so a combo resulted in PIKU.

    This is a sparkling, heart-warming movie that gladdens the cockles of the heart. At times I sympathized with the father but most of the times I empathized with the daughter. I could understand her dilemma although the constipation part was new. And those associated weird sounds! Yuck! Three odd people come together and make a watchable whole. Not an easy thing in these times of picture perfect movies.

    So, next year, same time when Dippy gets her National film Award, don't forget that I already told you so via this review. Dippy is going from strength to strength. With Kat out of the way, this movie will further consolidate her position of being the number 1 heroine. And rightly so. She deserves it. This movie is the proof.

    May 21, 15
  • Bindu Cherungath
    Bindu Cherungath
    126 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    7

    Piku, a film by Shoojith Sircar, celebrates the father-daughter relationship in a very unique manner. Released two days prior to Mother’s day, definitely celebrates this wonderful relationship between an aging parent and the adult daughter. It is being said that there is not much difference between a 7-year old child and 70-year old person. Piku explores the regular bittersweet relationship between parents and children. It stands true in our Indian context, where, the parent, who takes care of children, when grows old, wishes to be taken care of by children. Story telling is done in a unique manner, where most of the time, one problem persists i.e. constipation of the aging parent. Humour is linked to this. The punch line ‘motion se hi e-motion hota hai’ speaks volumes about the movie. I will not say that this movie will be liked by all the people, but I am sure, it would strike some chord and touch your hearts. Piku (Deepika Padukone) is a 30 year old professional associated with an architecture firm. Her father Bhashkor Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan) stays with her, who has serious problem of regular constipation. He does not hesitate to even give message to the receptionist of Piku’s office in regard to his bowel disorder. Piku definitely gets irritated by his habits, but that does not stop her from taking care of him. Piku is very well aware that it is her top most priority to take care of her father. Although, the differences between Piku and her father us shown, but the best thing is that, it is shown in such a natural manner. Piku wants to sell their ancestral house Champakunj at Kolkatta, and on Bhashkor’s insistence (rather emotional blackmail), happens to travel by road. The cab service owner Rana Chaudhary (Irrfan Khan) chooses to drive the cab. Rest of the story covers their road journey: irritation of Rana with Bhashkor’s and Piku’s moodiness, Bhashkor getting insecure with Rana talking to Piku, bittersweet talks between Piku and Bhashkor (minus any emotional baggage), confrontation happening between Piku-Bhashkor, Bhashkor-Rana etc. Bhashkor says that females with low IQ marry since they leave everything for their marriage. tThe emotional troubles of the daughter is also captured beautifully. In spite of her wanting some space, she knows that she can’t live without her father and vice versa. Such a beautiful relationship, where dependency of both father and the daughter are depicted in a simple manner with lot of humour added to the same. Bhashkor has no qualms in telling the prospective grooms of Piku that she is not a virgin and she is financially, emotionally as well as sexually independent. His idea behind this disclosure is to make the person decide against marrying Piku. It is interesting to see, how Bhashkor is particular about spelling of his name (Bengali roots). He picks up fight with the maid, keeps troubling his helper.But all these are done so naturally that one ends up believing in the characters.How role reversal happen?

    May 10, 15
  • Tejas Nair
    Tejas Nair
    258 reviews
    Top Reviewer
    7

    Summary: Feel Good Movie Of The Year. ♦ 74%

    The trailers told us what to expect, and the film definitely lives up to what it endorses. Piku may have taken the subject of constipation quite too seriously, but it really is a realistic depiction of (familial) relationships.

    Story of a septuagenarian Bhaskor (Bachchan) who is more concerned about his health issues, especially his holiday tummy, has a daughter named Piku (Padukone). Piku takes care of Bhaskor like a child SHOULD take care of her parent. And that is what the primary theme of the film is, and it slightly preaches that towards the end. Although one cannot call the film preachy, it does convey a message or two.

    The plot begins with Bhaskor diagnosing his Delhi belly and ends when he finally empties his bowels, literally. His violent relationship with his digestive system is the reason he acts temperamental, which has far-reaching effects, mostly on Piku. How Piku tackles his snappiness forms the essential part of the film. It is appealing to watch the story unfold, and if one concentrates on the natural dialogs that are delivered by the characters, one is sure to lay back and enjoy a hearty chuckle. The humor is natural and the family ambiance is ideal for an afternoon watch with your family.

    How old age has to be handled the same way infancy is handled should be learned by the titular character, played beautifully by gorgeous Padukone. She is shimmering throughout the frames, but for me personally, Bachchan takes the pie. His portrayal is simply fantastic. That brings the attention to the perfect casting done by the makers; Irrfan is phenomenal and so are the pillaring cast. The subject of constipation is so comprehensively addressed one doubts if it is a guide for dummies. The soundtrack and score by newcomer Anupam Roy sounds repetitive, but strictly complements the theme of the film, which is part road drama.

    BOTTOM LINE: Soojit Sircar has carved something essential in Bollywood with Piku - a fine story whose effect may not stay for long, but its themes and performances certainly remembered in years to come. 7/10 - recommended.

    Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

    May 09, 15
  • Himanshu pandey
    Himanshu pandey
    22 reviews
    Senior Reviewer
    8

    Its a sweltering heat here bt when a girl with kohl eyed,elegant walk,infectious smile,confident,wearing long kurtis and jeans,having bindi adorning her forehead comes across and mesmerises u and u start feeling chill down your spine[in a likeable way], she is PIKU....its a coming of age sweet family drama which really de-constipates the old bollywoodish cliched style...a refreshing, non preachy film adorns with occasional rib tickling laugh...its a family ''highway''...dialogues full of motions irresistibly takes care of emotions...star cast stands out..i couldn't keep my eyes off deepika's nainas...even if she was crying,her tears rolling down her cheeks looked so beautiful that it captivated my heart...u can't say anythng abt irrfan and amitabh bachhan..they were as usual best..bt i wished, had amitabh's character been played by some bengali vetran actor unknown to hindi cinema,it would have impacted more...

    September 25, 15
  • Shikhar Verma
    Shikhar Verma
    10 reviews
    Senior Reviewer
    8

    Before I can praise anyone for this wonderful, wonderful film I would take a minute and congratulate Ms. Juhi Chaturvedi for her flawless, fearless and weirdly amazing writing. Because, before there is a camera there is a pen and a paper, a laptop and a keyboard, a typewriter and a cup of coffee and sometimes people like us forget to appreciate it. So Juhi Chaturvedi, wherever you are remember there's someone, somewhere who believes you are one of the best in the business.

    How can you make a film that is basically toilet talk throughout? The same way you can make a film about sperms? Shoojit Sircar's Piku is like a Sunday breeze that doesn't always have the most soothing and fresh air but it's a Sunday breeze after all, you have to go out and feel it. There are no cartoon caricatures, moving pictures and peppy number in the opening credits of the film. All you see are black-and-white labels with a singular red-dot (symbolizing the red bengali bindi) and a soothing sitar playing in the background. Almost instantly you can see the resemblance to a good old Hrishikesh Mukherjee film.

    The film opens you up to a chaotic Delhi-based Bengali household and its almost impossible to gather everything that is going around. You see a father-daughter duo fighting over how good and bad, walking will do to his morning poop. Opening up the movie like this, Shoojit insures that you get used to the loud and messy duo and almost instantly fall in love with them. There are no grand-moments no innovative gags just pure realism in daily lives that ignite an unpredictable yet fresh comedy.

    Piku is a special film, not because it has Bacchan saab and Deepika Padukone at their best but because it asks a lot of questions that every single one of us has to face at some point or the other. What do we do when our parents, the same one's who have made us, need us to take care of them? Do you cringe and run away from things? Or do you stay and help them, not because it's you duty but because of sheer love? Do you define a girl's intelligence by how she perceives things? Does a girl needs to get married in order to survives in the 21st century? There are million other important questions and strong themes around which the movie weaves. Even though the film doesn't answer all of them, it's surprising how the writer and director manage to make those strong themes sound very familiar and easy to digest. Piku the film has charming humor and an incomparable chemistry between everyone who graces the screen in this 2 hour 5 minute long rasogulla of a film that's drenched in the sweetest chaashni you can ever imagine.

    If that's not enough you have Irrfan Khan playing Rana Chowdhary, the owner of a private taxi service who is forced to drive the uptight father-daughter duo from Delhi to Kolkatta. There is a quirky road-trip film hidden behind this family movie that brings out the best out of everyone. Irrfan Khan with his trademark dry humor manages to make you laugh as he tries to convince the old man about his bowel movements and constipation problems. Even though the film is filled with toilet jokes its never crass. For an Hindi feature film the conversations are too long but take my word every single one of them feels like its written with great valor.

    Almost everything in the film is perfect. The musical score by Anupam Roy leaves a lasting impression, wherein the songs do not hinder the flow of the narrative. The camera pans out to the right things at the right time. For example you see see the camera pan into a Satyajit Ray portrait in Piku and Bhaskor's home, while later she leaves a date just because the bloke does not know any of Ray's work. There are at least 10 other supporting characters that come in and play their respective parts. When the film ends you actually remember every single one of them. Be it the three time divorced aunt played by Moushumi Chatterjee or Raghuvir Yadav playing the doctor who promises to miss the old annoying bloke as he embarks on a journey to his old home in Kolkatta.

    The only sore to the eye are the half a dozen product placements. But Mr. Smarty Pants Sircar has very intelligently placed them so that they are not annoying, at least not more than the adorable Bhaskor ji. I know I don't praise Deepika enough, just because I can't stand her but even I couldn't disagree to the fact that she is too good here. She actually holds her own in-front of the legend himself. I simple loved the subtle ending to this endearing film. Shoojit Sircar doesn't leave any half-measures here because even in the sad moments of the film he manages to make you smile and love the characters more than you should.

    Final Verdict: Piku has more heart than all 2015 films combined. Gather your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather and that kachori-eating aunt/uncle who constantly irritates you about how bad the generation is and go watch the film! It's wonderful!

    June 14, 15
  • Omkar Joshi
    Omkar Joshi
    17 reviews
    Senior Reviewer
    8

    Definately a must watch for performance oriented movie lovers. The chemistry between the TRAINGLE(Amitabh, Deepika and Irrfan) was worth to watch. Deepika and Amitabh classically presented the Bengali accent in their dialogues. Irrfan always rules and proves that he is the best actor Indian film industry has got. Direction by Shoojit Sircar is mind blowing. He magically merged the great performances by Trio and a performance packed dialogues and screenplay with eavh other. Ending or better to say a climax moment was bit an abrupt and clumsy.
    Impreesed by Deepika's traditional Indian Woman look with suitable cloths according to the situations and a magical Bindiya between eyebrows. (Even intial credit sequence and used that same Bindii concept as with black blackground on which white credited names and "a red dot bindii for alphabets like i and j ".. Awesome art)

    May 23, 15
  • ArKa BaRua
    ArKa BaRua
    9 reviews
    Reviewer
    9

    A simply the way movies should be, directed in a very realistic manner with realistic emotions and conversations that what piku is.

    A beautiful story with great characters and awesome dialogues.
    One of the best Bollywood movie ive ever seen...

    December 05, 16
  • Rohith
    Rohith
    5 reviews
    Reviewer
    8

    Wonderful movie that has fantastic direction, interesting characters, great acting and an engaging story.

    May 20, 15
  • Rahul RD
    Rahul RD
    5 reviews
    Reviewer
    4

    Highly Overrated movie in recent times. Strictly watchable

    May 18, 15
  • Tridib Bhattacharya
    Tridib Bhattacharya
    2 reviews
    Member
    9

    I had my apprehensions about Piku, a film which deals with constipation. But as soon as the film started, I was proven wrong.

    Piku Banerjee (Deepika Padukone) is a Bengali architect who lives with her father Bhaskor (Amitabh Bachchan), suffering from chronic constipation, in Delhi. His obsession with his poop makes him quite a handful for his dedicated daughter. This endearing father-daughter duo set off to Kolkata with Rana Chaudhary (Irrfan Khan), owner of a taxi business (because a 70 year old can't shit on planes and trains with alarming frequency, can he?), as a result of Bhaskor's opposition to Piku's plan of selling their ancestral home.

    Padukone is terrific as Piku, essaying a meaty role with ease. Bachchan makes you fall in love with Bhashkor, bringing in most of the humor, and Irrfan slips into his role effortlessly. Juhi Chaturvedi comes up with an excellent screenplay and dialogues, though the relatively simple plot does fall through in some places. Shoojit Sircar tells the story expertly in a subtle manner, never once going overboard with the drama. The way he handles the relationship between Piku and Rana is brilliant. Anupam Roy's music adds substance to the film.

    There is a lot more to Piku then just constipation. It might seem like a straightforward film, but dig in deeper and there's some truly fantastic cinema that shouldn't be missed.

    May 28, 16
  • Dr.piyush shah
    Dr.piyush shah
    1 review
    Member
    8

    deepika,irfan and amitabh rocks.deepika looks beautiful without makeup in movie.
    i like irfan acting.the facts doctors unable to explained, its simply told by irfan.
    "aap indian style main baithathe hain ya western style main"
    i like another dialogue when irfan left calcutta's home-"meditation karti hain aap...dhyan .

    May 31, 15