Shoojit Sircar’s 5 best films and ‘Gulabo Sitabo’

Shoojit Sircar is one of those rare visionary directors who capture the quirky essence of local cities and the people of India to magically transform into captivating cinema. Not beholden to the restricting constraints of commercial benchmarks, Shoojit Sircar is the Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the current cinephile, ensuring his quirky stories speak for themselves.

Master of the 'slice-of-life' genre, every Shoojit Sircar film is diametrically different in character, location and tenor, yet maintains the satisfaction of experiencing an entertaining part of life onscreen.

Shoojit helms versatile stories from different genres, which range from the upcoming 12th June Amazon Prime Vido release-quirky dramedy (Gulabo Sitabo and Vicky Donor), films with a powerful message changing the nation (Pink), slice of life (Piku) to gripping action as will be seen in the upcoming untold story and biopic of the freedom struggle- Udham Singh starring Vicky Kaushal, and previously seen in Madras Cafe.

Here are his 5 best cinematic offerings:

1. Vicky Donor

This film is the perfect example of how Shoojit and Ayushmann pulled off a ‘risky’ and disruptive topic with ease. Ayushmann Khurrana is known for choosing different roles and that process started from his debut film Vicky Donor (2012). Directed by Shoojit, the film is set against the backdrop of sperm donation and infertility, with Ayushmann playing the sperm donor. One of the most hilarious moments is when Ayushmann, fed up of donating his sperm says ‘Sperm se Thoda Upar Aake dekho, Heart Naam Ki Cheez Hoti Hai!”

2. Piku

Fathers and daughters is a beautiful theme, relatable by all, specially in movies. In Piku, the nature of the quirky yet relatable relationship between the 30-something Piku (Deepika Padukone) and her father Bhaskor Banerjee (Amitabh Bachchan), a 70-year-old hypochondriac, obsessed with his bowel movements, isa dynamic that makes us laugh out loud. They often have serious arguments which lead to endearing moments such as when she watches him dance with abandon and glee to Bengali songs. We love the beautifully etched-out moments between the two, and every scene from PIKU was a winner! Who can forget Deepika saying that if a man wants to marry her, he has to adopt her father too!

3. Pink

When was the last time a film not only made you think, but also encouraged a debate? Pink, is one such film. The film made the entire country squirm, uncomfortably in the knowledge of what was happening onscreen was all too real and relatable. Pink, is one such film. As theater halls filled with applause, Shoojit Sircar’s Pink created a storm upon release and nobody will ever forget the Bachchan baritone saying “NO MEANS NO”

4. October

Critics claimed Shoojit Sircar’s October played like poetry on screen. Its critical appreciation lied in its simple beauty of storytelling and its simplicity. Every scene of October celebrated life and love, in a very earthy and soulful manner. The scene where Shiuli falls truly showcases Shoojit’s cinematic brilliance. Devoid of any melodrama, Shoojit deals with this scene — one of the most pivotal ones in the film — in a very real manner. Also the last scene where he shows the shiuli tree was poignant and memorable.

5. Gulabo Sitabo

Shoojit Sircar's quirky dramedy Gulabo Sitabo has already got the country buzzing with its charmingly funny trailer and hilarious battle of wits between legendary Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khurrana, set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 12.  Not only has the trailer sparked tremendous curiosity and anticipated, but also birthed a whole new continent of hilarious memes thanks to its witty dialogues! Undoubtedly one of the funniest scenes in the entire trailer is when Mirza and Bankey fight and Ayushmann says ‘Chillao mat, attack aa jaega”, Filled with quirky punchlines and rib-tickling moments, the interesting camaraderie promises a total entertainer!!!!