Release date: 19th December 2014

Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, a Sanjay Dutt

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Run time: 2hrs 33mins

Rating: 4/5

PK is as much a philosophy as a film. Starting with the alien’s desperation, PK captures the fears and falsehoods humans weave around faith. When PK decides to pray for his remote, he’s bewildered about whom to and how to pray. PK features brave scenes – money extracted at temples, coconuts offered in confusion at a church, god-men doling out tortuous advice – and strong lines, including a Muslim girl bravely asserting. Capturing faith whipped into hate, PK’s sterling message, directed sensitively, stands out.
As does Aamir Khan as the wide-eyed alien bemused by human life, a paan-chomping Chaplin from outer space, liked by rustic Bhairon Singh (Sanjay Dutt). PK’s simplicity contrasts with Jaggu’s complicated life, heartbroken after she thinks her Pakistani boyfriend Sarfaraz (Sushant) ditched her in Belgium. Tapasvi warned Jaggu’s father that her Muslim lover would betray her – does PK prove him wrong?

Anushka presents a sprightly show while Boman Irani stands out as a TV channel head. Some supporting acts and special effects could’ve been sharper though while at points, editor Raju Hirani should’ve been sterner with director Raju Hirani in trimming tighter scenes. Between gods, frauds, love and bombs, there are multiple threads here. Some distract, others impact, like PK hilariously dazed by humans hiding when they make out – except when they announce it with band-baaja on their wedding day.