Finally Watched ‘PK’ and a bit Disappointed

A few days back the famous movie 'PK' appeared on TV; and I watched most of it. I had not watched this movie in a theater when it was released because of the negative controversy around it. So you may find my opinion interesting.

Having watched it now, if I have to summarize my feelings in one word, I would say I found it "undeserving". Here is how:

The movie did not really appear 'controversial' to me; the scenes which were publicized as being offending to Hindus were actually funny and silly. I did not even find 'Shiva chasing' scene insulting to Lord Shiva despite being His 'fan' (modern word for 'disciple').

While watching the initial portions of the movie I found those as hilarious, interesting, funny, stupid and idiotic. A lot of scenes were 'supposed to be funny' while those were actually 'hyped'. The later part of the movie after a Guru took over, was actually 'boring'. Bollywood has simply ran out of ideas when it comes to making religious Gurus as villains - it is the same old story of fake Gurus in saffron robes fooling followers, pick up anything from year 1975 to 2015.

I found 'PK' an average and hyped movie. It should have come on screens and gone away after doing 'okay' business. But alas, religious and social organizations made it appear like an 'apocalypse' which it was not. I am sure it gained popularity due to the controversy around it. People like me who actually did not go to watch it because of controversy would have been outnumbered by people who actually went to explore it because of the hype around it. (Also because other big flicks were not released for weeks following it.)

It appeared like a casual movie but it had gone to be the most successful movie of all time from our country; earning Rs 700 Crores worldwide. It is sad that while our movie industry has produced so many really great movies, those have done average business. But this average movie did greatest business ever.

The message for religiously sensitive audiences and genuine social organizations is - the more you protest against it, the more you will do disservice against your own cause; so don't be hyper about such movies. But one interesting lesson for other movie makers is - hire some PR agencies to inflame religious sentiments of some from the previous set; and if they are not inflamed, make them appear so by planting stories in the media; and soon you will see the magic - your rotten potatoes will start selling at the price of potato chips!

- Rahul Tiwary

[Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.]