The Sky is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Starring: Priyanka Chopra Jonas; Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim and Rohit Saraf
Based On: a real life story of Aisha Chaudhary (the montage in the end is the actual short film)
Review:
The movie is filmed like a train of thoughts. Or a string of memories. It toggles between past and present, Delhi and London, before and after.
It is story of parents- whose child is born without an immune system, because of a genetic disorder. It is also a story of a brother-who grows up awaiting his younger sister's imminent death.
The movie touches upon so many sensitive topics- abortion, disease, transplants, psychotic break-down, death and grief.
While the doctors recommended the child remain in isolation, to avoid any chance of infection; it is really the isolation in which her family members lead their lives that leaves a mark. In the face of it, they all were together in good and bad times. But really, each one was on their own.
The mother (Aditi) had dedicated her day and night to looking after her girl, with a singular focus to provide her baby with every emotion and experience.
The father (Niren) had spent all his life working harder to earn money and happiness for his family, putting the brave face that dads do; so that their families cannot see the inner crushing of soul. From someone who first thought of aborting the kid fearing a complication, to someone who would risk a transplant just so that his daughter's life can be extended by a few more years, the man changed a lot between Chandani Chowk and London .
The brother (Ishaan) who was the kid who got separated from his mom at a young age, who grew up to being the cool big bro and finally the son who lent his lap to his grieving father when the time comes.
+ve points:
1. The brilliance of the movie is that all the above sad story arcs are narrated humorously by the deceased girl herself; delivering grown up, heavy content in the teen, take-it-easy lingo.
2. Some tracks from the movie that I particularly identified with include:
(i) The radio station bit, shot in Southall, where Niren gets rewarded for his faith in humanity
(ii) the instance where Aditi reproaches the house help to be extra cautious while preparing food for her daughter- the expressions of actors playing the cooks are so real, it is not just a movie scene but an actual scene from any household.
(iii) the teen pool party where Ishaan would rather jump in the pool than being nagged by his mom to play a matchmaker between his classmate and his sister.
My Verdict: A must watch.
