Rajkumar Hirani preaches. Preaches in every film of his. And yet people throng to the theaters to watch his films time and again. Because even though each of these films carry a strong relevant message it is cushioned well with a comical, feel good, entertaining story.
From a goofy goon spreading Gandhism to a protégé questioning our education system, Hirani always knows how to put his message across the right way. It may be done in a leisurely manner but it manages to strike the right chord each time.
His latest film 'PK' is a story about a wide-eyed alien (played brilliantly by actor Aamir Khan) who ends up on earth, searches god all around only to make us introspect about our notion on religion.
It is a simple story. With a message that has been conveyed before in films albeit differently but 'PK' scores primarily for its simple take on something as serious as religion and fanatism that comes with it. It may not have the sharpness of Umesh Shukla's 'OMG- Oh My God!', but it hits the right points, makes you laugh, cry and think.
The film's release couldn't have been more perfect. It comes at a time when the entire world is still shocked and in mourning over the recent Taliban attack in Peshawar, which led to the death of 130 school children- all in the name of religion. In 'PK' Hirani and co-writer Abhijat Joshi drive home the pertinent point that God is one and that humans differentiate in the name of religion. While we all may be praying to the same god for almost same sort of problems, our means differ. In fact, in the first scene of the film, Aamir Khan lands on earth stark naked but in the later scenes, as he makes round of different temples, dargahs and churches, his wears rudrakash, or the skull cap, or a cross around his neck. Hirani very subtly drives home a point, that we all are born the same, it is our culture, society that decides our clothes, our behaviour.
Time and again, Hirani and Joshi have in their own style- which many believe, is rather far fetched- raised pertinent question about the society at large. So what if a goon managed his way into a medical college in 'Munnabhai MBBS'- a film that Hirani co-wrote with filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Munnabhai did make you think of the bureaucracy that mars the medical profession now, didn't he? He did tell us to hug it out, when nothing seem to work. Or for that matter in the sequel 'Lage Raho Munnabhai', he made Gandhi known to the youth and reiterated that the Bapu's philosophy is truly timeless. In '3 Idiots', Hirani focused on Indians and their fascination for fancy degrees and how many a times as parents, we fail to identify our child's real potential or what he or she dreams of doing in life.
While these issues are widely talked about in reality, not too many filmmakers know how to drive home a point as well as Hirani does. His films start a new trend, be it the famous 'Jaadu ki jhappi' or giving a rose to someone who is doing something wrong and mentally 'ill' or comforting oneself that 'All iz well'- Hirani's film give ready solution to the common man.
In a nation where cricket and Bollywood are the only things that unite everyone, cinema's reach and its impact is unimaginable. While most of the films that are churned out in Bollywood aim to entertain, very few deliver such strong message that we, as viewers, in turn, start introspecting.
'PK' is Hirani's fourth film as a director. And just like his previous films, this has struck a chord with one and all. Of course, some have called it obscure as well, but if we keep aside the cynicism and concentrate on the message that Hirani has for us, it is time to retrospect and make efforts to make the society better.
Thank you Rajkumar Hirani. For you narrate stories like no one else. For you know how to make us laugh, cry and question our self. We need more people like you in this world.
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