There is a good-will running in the country courtesy the film's subject dealing with a unique illness, where a child ages extremely fast. He is into old age by the time he is 10.
Amitabh Bachchan stars as the kid and his dad is played by his real son. Directed by Balki who helmed Cheeni Kum, this is a film that is set to be 'touching'. With its brush of cuteness, which was the hallmark of Cheeni Kum too, the film doesn't deliver as it should have.
The story is simple - a young woman impregnated by her boyfriend who is not keen to marry her courtesy his political ambitions gives birth to a kid who has Progenia. She rears the son on her own along with her mother. Fate brings the boy to meet his father and when they discover the truth, the boy plays cupid.
It's difficult to pin-point what's the film is about though of course it has many a takes - pre-marital sex; political aspirations of an honest man; the unique disease; single-mom parenting, but...it's difficult to find the focus.
There are cute depictions of every thing including the kid (Auro's) life in a school. Almost every thing is extra-polished just so the characters shine and appear goody-good, be it Auro, his dad, mom, granny and his friends.
As was the case in his previous film, Balki makes kids at times sound too mature and enjoys references that are supposed to elicit smiles, like the granny being referred to as 'Bum', since she has a big one. Boy...
The film opens quick and at least moves with good momentum but into the 2nd Act it fails to build tension. You know the kid and the dad will have to meet up and there would be a confrontation, but it drags.
The first 'big' event is the mid-point, where Auro is told that his MP friend is his dad. This is a critical moment but it does not work strongly since Auro's character has not been set-up - there has never been any curiosity and only after he discovers he gets interested. This may not be a bad plot but then it should have come sooner.
And when the paa discovers Auro's mom, you of course know how it will all end. Again not bad per se even if you know that Auro will die and folks will get together - they are all nice people with hardly any flaws!
Whose story is it? It's every one's. Another tricky road to walk with multiple protagonists and with multiple point-of-views, it's difficult to connect especially when there isn't much to arc.
One is banking on the goodness of everyone and the cuteness of Auro to work, which it has for masses. Reason it's been a success at the box office.
The good thing by default thing in the film is playing with few characters. Even if there are many in the film, when you are with three and do an okay job telling a tale, it works okay. Not great. Not good. Okay.
Every one has been raving about the performances but they are just okay. Abhishek is okay playing a straight-up dude. Vidya Balan is fine. As for AB, hidden by the make-up there isn't actually much scope except for voice and using the body, and he does alright.
Rating **
[Max Rating ****]
[Viewed thanks to Bunty on 11th Jan at home, Delhi]
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