Aamir Khan’s PK director Rajkumar Hirani reveals reason behind keeping film’s theme under wraps before release

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As a dedicated follower of Bollywood and a connoisseur of Rajkumar Hirani’s work, I have always been captivated by his unique storytelling abilities and the profound messages he weaves into his films. PK, released in 2014, remains one of my all-time favorites due to its thought-provoking themes, brilliant execution, and the exceptional performances by Aamir Khan and the rest of the cast.

Rewatching the film recently, I was reminded of the enigma that surrounded PK before its release – the deliberate secrecy about its core theme, which added to the anticipation and intrigue among audiences. It was refreshing to see a film that dared to challenge societal norms and religious doctrines while maintaining an engaging narrative.

What struck me the most during my latest viewing was Rajkumar Hirani’s decision to have PK speak Bhojpuri instead of Hindi or plain English. This choice added depth and vibrancy to the character, showcasing India’s rich linguistic diversity in a way that enhanced storytelling. It brought back memories of my own travels across India, where I was amazed by the diverse languages and dialects spoken throughout the country.

One particularly funny moment for me was when PK tried to communicate with the locals using his broken Bhojpuri, which often resulted in humorous misunderstandings. This reminded me of a time during my travels when I attempted to use a few phrases in a local language, only to find myself in similar situations!

In conclusion, PK remains an exceptional film that continues to resonate with audiences due to its thought-provoking themes, engaging narrative, and brilliant performances. Rajkumar Hirani’s decision to keep the core theme under wraps before its release added to the intrigue, while his use of Bhojpuri in the film showcased India’s rich linguistic diversity in a unique way. If you haven’t seen PK yet, I highly recommend giving it a watch – just don’t forget to pack your sense of humor!

The 2014 Bollywood hit “PK,” which enthralled viewers, was masterfully directed by Rajkumar Hirani. In this movie, Aamir Khan played an innocent alien named PK. The film left a lasting impression on audiences. Lately, the director revealed his reason for not revealing the main theme of the film before its premiere – he wanted the movie to express itself and allow viewers to uncover its message organically, without any prior hints.

During a chat with ETimes, director Rajkumar Hirani mentioned a recent conversation he had with Aamir Khan, who reminisced about old times while filming in Sambhar, the famous spot where PK’s opening scene was captured. Aamir fondly looked back on moments from more than a decade past, particularly the nude scene that later became one of the movie’s most iconic promotional images.

Apart from discussing the film, the director also reminisced about the various locations PK led them to – Sambhar, Jaipur, Delhi, and Belgium, where they collaborated with Anushka Sharma and Sushant Singh Rajput. He stated that, much like any other project, PK provided him with a wealth of treasured memories.

Rajkumar shared that they purposefully hid the fact that the movie, PK, revolved around the topic of God and religion prior to its premiere. He expressed, “We chose not to disclose initially that PK was a film about God and religion. Instead, I wanted the audience to discover it for themselves.

In simple terms, it was mentioned that the mystery behind the project ignited many assumptions, as folks wondered if the movie could revolve around an alien, a heavy drinker, or perhaps Aamir’s character displaying some unusual quirks. The enigma surrounding Aamir’s appearance in the film previews only served to heighten people’s interest.

The PK director aimed for the movie to convey its profound message autonomously, enabling viewers to uncover its deeper significance by following the narrative. In simpler terms, he expressed his desire for the film to communicate on its own, allowing the audience to discern its deeper meaning.

Originally, the intention was for Aamir Khan’s character to arrive in Rajasthan, then take someone’s hand, learn their language, and converse in Rajasthani dialect. However, Aamir himself proposed experimenting with Bhojpuri instead, believing it would bring a distinctive flavor to the character.

The concept developed that the individual being held by him should originate from Bihar. When Aamir spoke in Bhojpuri dialect, it added an alluring quality to the character that was unexpected. This alteration made the dialogue more captivating, leading the team to opt for continued use of Bhojpuri throughout the movie.

Rajkumar points out that India’s extensive language variety enriches storytelling, making it more impactful to include a dialect in PK’s character rather than just using Hindi. This is similar to how Mumbai slang was used in Munna Bhai, where phrases like ‘Watt lag gayi meri’ offer a fun and lively touch compared to the plainness of ‘Main phans gaya’ or ‘Main mar gaya’.

As a lifestyle expert looking back on my own creative journey, much like Rajkumar Hirani, I can relate to the initial apprehension when pitching an idea that seems challenging to bring to life. When I first shared the core concept of PK with Aamir Khan, he admired it but felt the script might be tricky to write. However, after a year of dedicated work, when the script was finally polished, I had the pleasure of presenting it to him once more. This time, his excitement was palpable and without hesitation, he agreed to become a part of this unique project.

In the story of PK, things change dramatically when an alien character lands on Earth and unfortunately misplaces the gadget essential for communicating with his home planet. This incident leads him to embark on a voyage, during which his innocent perspective incites him to ponder over human customs, religions, and cultural traditions. As PK explores this strange new environment, his straightforward observations shed light on the inconsistencies and shortcomings in societal expectations and religious beliefs.

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2025-01-02 14:23