Dealing with an unusual and highly affecting father-son relationship, Paa is a 2009 film starring Amitabh Bachchan (trivia alert – he is the movie star Jamal got an ill-fated autograph from in Slumdog Millionaire), Abhishek Bachchan, and Vidya Balan. Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan are father and son respectively in real life, but since Paa deals with the rare genetic condition of progeria, they played opposite roles. The film was a critical and commercial success on its release last year.
The story tells of Auro, a smart and funny 12 year old boy who suffers from progeria. Mentally a normal 12-year-old boy, he physically looks far older. In spite of this, Auro is a happy and contented child, living with his mother Vidya. But his father, the ambitious and cold-hearted politician Amol, is unaware of his existence. Vidya has kept his father’s identity from her son to protect him from Amol’s certain rejection.
When Auro finally learns the truth, he is determined to go to Delhi to see his father and to get his parents back together. But will his condition, his father’s career and Amol and Vidya’s damaged past ruin their chances at future happiness?
Paa is a brave and touching film that will stay with you long after you’ve left the cinema.
