Heart tugging but Uplifting Movie ‘The Sky is Pink’

Review by Mahadev Desai
 

The movie, based on a true story is an emotionally heart tugging movie with many tender moments. But it is not all sorrow and tears. It is also about joyful celebration of life to its fullest against all odds. The biographical movie is written and directed by Shonali Bose, a , a film director,writer,producer and activist and co-produced by Siddharth Roy Kapur, Ronnie Screwvala and Priyanka Chopra under the banner of RSVP Movies.

Rohit Sharaf) Aditi (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) and Niren (Farhan Akhtar) are a middle class, married couple, who have already lost one child Tanya and now have a son Ishaan (Rohit Sharaf) and a daughter Aisha, (Zaira Wasim), who is diagnosed with a rare disease SCID- severe combined immunodeficiency. The film covers 25 years in the life of Aditi and Niren. At times, the uphill battle to look after Aisha strains their relationship but they also share light hearted romantic moments. From Delhi they move to London, short of funds for Aisha’s treatment but they get help through the generosity of the community.

Due to unavailability of bone marrow transplant, they go for chemotherapy for Aisha. Both Aditi and Niren are caring, loving and sacrificing parents. Aditi struggles alone looking after Aisha in London while Niren has to work in Delhi and look after Ishaan. The London street scenes with red buses, Great Ormond Street hospital, trains etc.are well captured. Aisha is coping well with her physical condition and in school she impresses as a motivational speaker. She is also a gifted painter. Life throws a curveball when in Delhi she is diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and advised to go for lung transplant which would possibly help add another ten years to her life. But she refuses.

Aditi, Niren and Ishaan get ready for the inevitable but make sure that her final days are filled with utmost happiness. Versatile actors Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Farhan Akhtar excel with their effortless acting while Zaira Wasim and Rohit Sharaf give confident, assured performances. Priyanka, who has returned to Bollywood after a long absence, excels with her commanding performance. the Music is composed by Pritam with lyrics by Gulzar.’Zindagi’ sung by Arijit Singh has touching words ‘Zindagi tune kaisa toss khela hai; Raat bhar gayi toh din akela hai’.’The sky is pink ‘movie released in October this year is also on Netflix. This bittersweet movie with uplifting story is definitely a compelling watch.