Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- sentimental
- family movie night
- emotional weekend viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally affecting and centered on Amitabh Bachchan's endearing performance, while noting its appeal is strongest for devoted Bollywood and Bachchan audiences.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Auro is mentally a witty, ordinary 13-year-old while a rare accelerated-aging condition makes him look much older.
Auro is revealed to be the son of politician Amol Arte, making father-son recognition central to the story.
Amol's progressive political mission and public image intersect with his obligations toward Auro and Vidya.
Auro's intelligence and wit provide buoyancy within an emotionally heavy story about a rare degenerative condition.
Films like Paa, and why
The Pursuit of Happyness
shared tearjerker drama, parent-child reconciliation, and disability-centered emotional storytelling
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
shared family drama, extraordinary childhood condition, and bittersweet emotional warmth
Taare Zameen Par
shared uplifting disability drama, child-centered perspective, and compassionate family themes
Anand
shared Bollywood melodrama, illness-related emotional stakes, and strong parent-child bonds
Movie Details
- Director
- R. Balki
- Release Date
- 2009-12-04
- Runtime
- 133 min
- Rating
- 6.4 / 10 (93)
Cast
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Abhishek Bachchan
- Vidya Balan
- Paresh Rawal
- Arundathi Nag
- Swini Khara
- Jaya Bachchan
- Taruni Sachdev
- Olivier Lafont
- Rajiv Kachroo
Common questions
- What is Paa about?
- A spirited thirteen-year-old with an accelerated-aging disorder brings an estranged politician and his family face to face with love, responsibility, and mortality.
- What is Paa like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paa as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Paa violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Paa.
- What did critics think of Paa?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally affecting and centered on Amitabh Bachchan's endearing performance, while noting its appeal is strongest for devoted Bollywood and Bachchan audiences.
- Which films are like Paa?
- Films with a similar feel include The Pursuit of Happyness, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Taare Zameen Par, and Anand.
- How long is Paa?
- Paa runs 133 minutes.
