PK (2014)- Hindi Film

As soon as we take the name of PK, all the controversies come into our mind. Many of them spread by the people who themselves haven't watched it, but only have heard about the plot of the film. Today I thought to write about the points which I liked while watching PK.

A 'being' from another planet observing us and trying to make sense of the activities of the society - the plot is a creative one. I remember the film 'Gods Must Be Crazy'- while watching it, as that film also captures the nuiances of civilization, very beautifully. 'Gods Must be Crazy' is also one of my favourite film :).

Coming back to PK. We start to feel Oneness with PK, when he tells his story to Jaggu, in a police lock up. Then we realise how tough a journey it has been for him. A person not able to understand the language of the land where he is, losing the connection with his own planet, how desperate a state he has been into!!

He narrates about his journey from one place of God to another (temple, Church, Mosque) and so on. The difficulties faced by him in understanding the  different rituals of various religions, as a result, very naturally, the confusions experienced by him, trying everything to impress Bhagwaan and still being unable to do so - all these scenes touch us because of their realistic portrayal. We feel it can happen around us. They are so true!! A being who does not know the systems/rituals, will feel the same as PK. The scene when PK comes to the place where the idol of Ma Durga was being made and earnestly asks Her to help him- that scene touched me so much! Also the lyrics of the song - "Bhagwaan, hai kahan re tu" are so true, in such a mental state!

The credit of the director lies that all these serious issues are dealt with many many light-hearted funny scenes. Audience get the message not through serious situations but through direct practical day to day scenes.  And we also keep on smiling throughout the whole film :).

PK terming different religions as 'company', searching for 'thappa' on new borns, giving a practical example how faith can be used to earn profit (exam day- college gate scene), dressing different people in different attire, referring to his theory of 'wrong number', thinking that Bhagwaan does our work according to the payments made by us and his action of taking refund from temples- all these scenes make us laugh. As well as they are a satire on the social system. The core values of all religions are the same. Limited or wrong interpretation makes all the difference... So much so that all the religions SEEM different from each other to us!...  But if one goes deep into the theories of any religion and reflect on it, the conclusion he/she will reach, will be the same in each case.  

The self helping attitude of PK teaches us that in any difficult situation, we should keep on trying with different approaches. If our search is true, then God will help us definitely, in the same way as PK got the help of Jaggu later :).

True Love is another theme which runs parallel to the theme of religion and faith, throughout the whole film. The way PK shows selfless love for Jaggu, helps her and at last leaves her free before going back to his planet- teaches the essence of Love. That is, to empower and to set free :)

Also PK's love/ concern for the whole mankind is shown in his actions/ plans after he meets Jaggu. He becomes eager to tear away the veil of lies used by so called heads of different religions (like Tapasviji in the film). He wants to bring a relief to common man that if proper help is not coming from their gurudev (master), they can help each other. And that would be enough. That concern of PK about the society, was out of the Humane qualities in him. The innocence, kindness and the quick-wit of PK are portrayed beautifully by Aamir Khan.

Another thing which attracted me in this movie is that the shooting of many scenes were done in Delhi. We can actually see many of Delhi's famous places throughout the film. So watching the film was like touring various places of Delhi :) :). 


Overall a good film with nice messages which make us think about many issues.


Jai Shri Krishna. 

(Photo taken from internet. Credit goes to the uploader.)

Kanho Banyo Common Man- A serial on Colors Gujarati

These days I am watching a Gujarati serial named ‘Kanho Banyo Common Man’. It is a nice serial which tells the story of Krishna as a common human being on earth. A young person (Gopal) meets Krishna after his death and complains of his untimely death. Krishna accepts the challenge given by Gopal to come to earth (without any special power) and lead the life of a common man.

Many incidents from our daily life are shown in the serial. I really love those scenes in which Gopal (the role played by Krishna) explains many concepts to the family members or to his friends, from the point of view of spirituality. The values which are conveyed by those scenes are really nice. Those scenes seem like coming directly from Shri Krishna.

Though I do not understand the language completely, still I get an idea about the main points of all the scenes.

Here I am trying to note down some of the points covered by Gopal-

# During Rakshabandhan, he made a gift for his dear sister which had the pictures of both the brothers (Gopal and Bhupesh) and a mirror where their sister Kokila can see her own face, along with her two brothers.

# In one episode, Gopal explained how fasting helps our body and why it is necessary.

# In a track which dealt with smuggling of alcohol, Gopal exclaimed if only people would try to read the Geeta instead of using it only for swearing in the court…

# Gopal explained about Puraan, how they present an ideal life which the society can follow, in one of the episodes.

# He also explained about Krishna’s leela with Gopis to his friend Geetika, when she asked Gopal about vastraharan leela of the Lord.

# During Randhan Chhath (along with Naag panchami, Shitala Satam-  all the Panch parv) Gopal explained why we worship the kitchen, how any food made with a pure heart can be considered as a prasaad and how the food made with any kind of negativity and selfishness in mind, loses its vitality. Why sharing is necessary for the society was also discussed.

 I remembered the 12^th and 13th  shlok of Chapter 3 of Gita, while watching the episode.

  [ Ishtaan bhogaan hi vo devaa daasyante yajnabhaavitaah

    Tair dattaan apradaayaibhyo yo bhungkte stena eva sah // 3.12 //

    Devas, cherished by the sacrifice, will give you the desired objects. Indeed, he who

    enjoys objects given by the Devas without offering in return to them is verily a thief.

    Yajnashishtaashinah santo muchyante sarva kilbishaih

    Bhunjate te twagham paapaa ye pachantyaatma kaaranaat // 3.13 //

The righteous who eat the remnants of the sacrifice are freed from all sins; but those

sinful ones who cook food only for their own sake, verily eat sin.  ]

# Once the Mehta family (Gopal’s family) arranged a Satyanarayan Puja in their home. I enjoyed that episode so much!! Gopal was surprised that he had to worship himself.

He took the name of Sage Sandipani as his teacher.

He also realsed the bliss which a devotee feels when he worships his ‘aaradhya’.

That track was very very special.

# In one of the episodes, he taught a neighbour- Durjan Singh, why following the Truth is always better than indulging in any wrong ways.

# Once there was a lady named Satyabhama in a track. Gopal was very surprised to know her name and almost exclaimed aloud that- ‘this is the name of my wife’.

# Recently they had a Geeta Shlok Pathan Competition. During one of those episodes, Gopal recited the shlokas from Chapter 10, like

  [ Ahamaatmaa gudaakesha sarvabhootaashayasthitah

    Ahamaadishcha madhyam cha bhootaanaamanta eve cha // 10.20 //

  

  I am the Self, O Gudakesa, seated in the hearts of all beings; I am the beginning, the

  middle and also the end of all beings

   Aadityaanaamaham vishnur jyotishaam raviramshumaan

   Mareechirmarutaamasmi nakshatraanaamaham shashee // 10.21 //

  

Among the (twelve) Adityas I am the Vishnu ; among the luminaries, the radiant sun; I

  am Marichi among the winds; among the stars I am the moon.]

And also to teach an egoistic person a lesson, Gopal recited many more famous shlokas from Geeta.

I enjoyed those episodes very much.

In that track, Gopal explained that in comparison to memorizing the shlokas of Geeta without realizing their meaning, helping others or serving the society is better as any such action show the application of the teachings of Geeta.

In this track, the parents of Gopal wanted to test the knowledge of their son  by asking him questions on scriptures- that scene was so humuorous!!

# Around November, a track was going on about a devotee, who used to sing in the nearby temple of Gopal’s house. I was loving the track, the way Gopal was appreciating the sincere devotion in the voice of the singer, but those days I became busy and could not finish it…

#  Once a track was there where they prepared a play named ‘Kanho Shaano Chhaano Maano’. There Gopal got the role of Duryodhan.  So surpising! I laughed so much watching the fun! And Gopal’s elder brother Bhupesh, got the role of Krishna.  There Gopal also conveyed some dialogues with sincerity which was loved by all, but I could not understand the meaning of that scene.

# One day Gopal explained to her sister-in-law about our religion and why we should never leave it, as she was discussing the same topic with one of her friends.

# During Diwali I think, Gopal explained the true meaning of Dhanteras. How Devi Lakshmi also brings peace and prosperity along with riches. So only money is not enough, peace and properity are also the attributes of Devi Lakshmi, which most people forget easily, and keep on praying for more and more money to the Goddess.

# Now the track which was the latest and I enjoyed to core of my heart. It was about a girl named Miraande who has come to India from abroad. She was interested in Hindu rituals and wanted to do a research on Shri Krishna. Gopal explained the concepts of Aarti, tilak, about bell of the temple and many more rituals which we follow in our daily life. All those scene were very nice.

Then Miraande told Gopal about her understanding regarding Mahabharat characters as a proof of evolution of life on earth. She considers Kunti to be mother earth. Karn to be the first living being. Yudhishthir = Intellect, Bheem= Energy, Arjun= Mind , Nakul and Sehdev= Hands and Legs. Gopal was very surprised to hear such a theory and appreciated her.

Later Miraande felt the call of the Lord in her heart and wanted to leave the sansaar and Gopal explained to her that she can  continue with her normal  life and simultaneously can be devoted to the Lord. All the knowledge received from Gopal elevated Miraande to a new level.

This track was very sweet, it touched my heart. God Himself resides in the heart of a pure devotee. It was evident from this track.

- These are some of the scenes/ tracks which I could remember now. Many more good scenes are there in all the daily episodes.

Very nice effort from the Production Company. I do not know the names of all the artists, but came to know about the name of Mayank Pancal in the title role. I also like the actress who plays the mother of Gopal. She is a sweet and affectionate lady.


Do watch the serial to enjoy the messeges and feel the bliss of the Lord.

With lots of best wishes

Jai Shri Krishna.

(Geeta Shlokas taken from E- Samskriti website. Photo taken from internet, credit goes to the uploaders. Used only for the purpose of spreading devotion.)