When Rajkumar Hirani’s 2014 sci-fi satire PK hit theatres, it didn’t just spark conversations, it created a storm. Headlined by Aamir Khan, the film courted sharp criticism and stirred controversy even before its release. Yet despite the uproar and heated debates, ‘PK’ went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of its time.More than a decade later, the filmmaker is reflecting on whether a film like ‘PK’ could navigate today’s increasingly sensitive climate.Hirani addressed the shift in public discourse and the growing culture of backlash. “Times keep changing and conversations in the universe around you keep changing. Right now, most of the time, the worry is the comments you get to hear. Anything you do, there will be comments that will bash you,” he said in an interview with Variety India.
The director emphasised that the fear of criticism can be more damaging than criticism itself. “But I think the moment you start worrying about it, then that’s a bigger cause for concern. You should try and make your film with honesty and hope people will appreciate that, because the moment you try to be extremely careful or make something that you think is safe, you’re going to get bashed for it. You might as well make a film with conviction. Because there will be an equal number of people who will love you for that. You can’t start diluting your beliefs; that’s a scary place to be in. Then there’s no point in making a film.”Co-written by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi, ‘PK’ tackled the theme of superstition and self-styled godmen through satire. Alongside Aamir Khan in the titular role, the film also starred Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla and Sanjay Dutt. The film did extremely well at the box office and earned Rs 770 crore worldwide.
