Based on a true story, ‘The Sky Is Pink’ is narrated through the voice of a terminally ill teenage girl, Aisha Chaudhary. Soon after she is born, Aisha is diagnosed with a rare life threatening genetic disorder. Her parents, Niren and Aditi Chaudhary make it their life’s mission to do their best for her, fighting against all odds, as long as their little princess is healthy and alive.
Niren and Aditi’s story, from falling in love to sidelining their lives to save their daughter, helps build the two characters who carry the film on their shoulders. Also, adds the “pink” in what would actually be a very dark, sad sky.
There is a sense of balance that Director Shonali Bose maintains, showing the emotions and omitting the typical melodrama that’s in such storylines. One of the two major factors that works for the film is that it never loses focus from what it intends to do to its audience and the second is the star cast.
The movie stars Priyanka Chopra, as a mother, Aditi Chaudhary or Moose, who is determined to make her child live life to the fullest and her acting is very impressive. Oscillating between vulnerable and resilient, she is effective in the way she plays Aditi. Must say, the wait to see her on screen was worth it!
Farhan Akhtar essays yet another trademark, understated performance, as, Niren Chaudhary or Panda. He shows amazing restraint as he imbibes the various phases of his character’s life. Zaira Wasim, too breathes life into her character and does two hundred percent justice to Aisha’s role. Rohit Saraf has a smaller screen time compared to the other star cast but his emotions are portrayed so well as Ishan Chaudhary or Giraffe.
A movie that’s the cinematic equivalent of visiting a therapist. ‘The Sky is Pink’ reflects and recognises your pain, leaving behind a trail of hope. One that understands, breaks down the specifics of grief and unravels the trauma left, stating about how precious life is.
It’s a happy film about unbearable sadness; a film that has characters who smile while fighting tears and cry while holding back their laughter. The result is astonishing: you come back feeling a little more alive, euphoric and giddy with warmth, a real cinematic experience.
At the end, ‘The Sky Is Pink’ is a stirring watch that leaves you with a valuable lesson, “Nothing is more important than family” and a lingering afterthought that death is an extension of life, where everybody still exists together.
