The best part about movie is its non-preachy nature. It did not use tears but smiles as a medium to take the story further. The characters do not cry on their situations and blame fate, but rather come out strong and take life day by day cracking jokes, having fun, enjoying each day as it should be. THAT for me was the strongest point of the movie. Its very moving and emotional but at the same time never goes overboard through tears. It has everything in order. A 'Different' story. Gripping Script. Strong performances. Soulful music and background score. Good Cinematography. Although some scenes could have dispensed with to make it slightly tighter. But with performances like those, I am sure i can forget the flaws here and there. Must Watch!!
More than a father-son-father story (Which i think was just a marketing gimmick to generate hype). The movie is about relationships and acceptances. The Relationship between two lovers, Mother-Son, Father-Son, Grandmother-Grandson and Best Friends. And acceptance of people as they are. The best thing for me was that no footage was 'wasted' on crying about a disease and the patient. There were no 'ohh.. thats awful' scenes where people would just break into tears because a 13 year old could die any time soon. It represented the positivity about life (however small it may be). Its about living every moment of life, till the time we are alive and not dying everyday thinking that we may die soon. The movie is full of one-liners and jokes and puts across the point in a humorous way. It has the perfect balance of humour and emotional elements, without being 'sad'. THAT for me worked in the movie.
Plot: Auro (Amitabh Bachan) is single mother Vidya's (Vidya Balan) son who suffers from a rare disease called pregoria where the kid physically grows 4-5 times faster than usual. Vidya left Amol Atre (Abhishek Bachan), an inspiring politician who asked her to undergo abortion since he could not marry her because of his career. Rest i think is pretty obvious as to what happens in the end. A Simple Story but told in a very 'different' without any crying or preaching.
Performances: Amitabh Bachan all the way. It was amazing to see his acting through his body language and eyes only, since his make up did not allow him to use his facial muscles to express his feelings. He leads from the front and shows why he still is treated as the star of the millennium. None of his dialogues are aimed at making the audience cry but still leaves a tear in the eye. No surprises here. But Vidya matches him at every step. Every single scene that she portrays is as 'strong' as her character itself. She is just amazing specially in her scenes with Amitabh and her mother. Abhishek is average but notable mention must be made about Arundhati Naag (Grandmother) who delivers a stellar of a performance. Even the kids are too cute and equally good.
Technicals: Cinematography, Direction, Background Score, Make up, Editing. Everything is just perfect.
Music: The Paa theme is the most hummable and does not leave you even when you come out of the theater. Rest songs are pretty average although Mudi mudi is better than others.
Positives: Performances, Story, Script, Cinematography, Background Score, Non-preachy nature, Humour.
Negatives: Drags a bit in the middle where footage is wasted on establishing Abhishek's political career orientation. Social messages like Using condoms, Keeping the cities clean etc etc were not required and work as distractions. The tagline of 'Father-son-father' story does not seem to be apt as its more about relationships in general.
Overall: The movie delivers the message with a perfect balance of humor and emotion. Does not get preachy about the disease and no shedding of tears for the 'unfortunate' condition of the little boy. Must watch!!
Feel-O-Meter: 8/10