How a 2009 Indian drama used prosthetic makeup to reverse real-life roles
In short: In the 2009 film Paa, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan played a child, while his real-life son, Abhishek Bachchan, played his father. This cinematic role reversal relied on extraordinary prosthetic artistry to depict a young boy living with the rare genetic disorder progeria.
Directed by R. Balki, Paa tells the story of Auro, a witty 12-year-old boy whose physical appearance is five times older than his mental age due to progeria. The film’s production was a massive undertaking, particularly regarding the transformation of Amitabh Bachchan. To achieve the look of a child suffering from accelerated aging, the production employed Hollywood experts Christien Tinsley, known for his work on *The Passion of the Christ*, and Dominie Till, a veteran of *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy. The application and removal of this prosthetic makeup were so intensive they took hours each day.
The narrative explores the complex relationship between Auro and his parents, Vidya, a gynecologist, and Amol Arte, a flamboyant politician. The plot delves into heavy themes, including Amol's initial desire for an abortion upon learning of the pregnancy and the eventual reconciliation of the family as Auro's health declines. Beyond the emotional core, the film's music, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, cleverly repurposed several of his own Tamil compositions, such as 'Putham Pudhu Kaalai' and 'Sangathil Padatha', to create its soundtrack.
While the film was a critical success in India—earning Amitabh Bachchan his third National Film Award for Best Actor—international reception was more varied. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 50% positive rating from eight critics. The production itself was a global affair; while much of the film was shot in Lucknow, other sequences were filmed in Malaysia, specifically Taiping, and across the United Kingdom, featuring iconic locations like Oxford's Radcliffe Square and Cambridge's Corpus Christi College.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Paa (film)
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