Piku - A movie review

Shit doesn't happen. That is the theme of this movie. Literally. Director Sircar continues his light hearted and humorous look at life. From the dilapidated ruins of old Lucknow in ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ he moves to modern life in ‘Piku’.[ I learnt about this movie from a young film maker Ruchi - It's A Secret - who lists this as her favorite movie.]

Mr. Bannerji, a 70 year old Bengali, and his 30 year old architect daughter, live together in New Delhi, India. That they live together may seem very unusual in the USA but in busy North India this living arrangement is perfectly normal. As the daughter says to her boyfriend ‘“she can't just abandon her sick dad and marry someone unless he accepts the three will live together ‘. India is a country where family members always live together, even if they occasionally argue and fight, without threatening each other's lives.

Mr. Bannerji suffers from chronic constipation and he is open about it with his daughter and the servants. There is discussion about the quality and quantity of his feces at the dinner table and over the phone when the daughter is at work. There is a suggestion given as to how Mr Banerjee should mount the commode in Indian style so the shit release process becomes easier. Mr Bannerji himself mentions that there is a mind-body connection and stress and frustration can cause constipation during one of his informal lunch conversations.

Mr. Bannerji, his daughter, a driver and a servant decide to drive to Calcutta from New Delhi. Among the luggage tied to the car’s roof is a wooden commode just in case…

In Calcutta, at their mansion where his brother lives the discussion about Mr Bannerji’s constipation continues and they argue whether it runs in their family. One day, Mr. Bannerji feels the need to take a bike ride thru the city and vanishes alone causing much worry amongst the family members especially his frustrated daughter. But he returns after a while safely and has the best potty experience of his life!!!

Mr. Bannerji didn't want to die inside a hospital tied to tubes and instruments and so he passes away peacefully on his bed in his home. Close to his daughter.