Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar 

Director: Shonali Bose

There are many films based on death made in Bollywood, Anand, October and Kal Ho Na Ho talks about living the moments of life before you die.

But when a daughter is about to die and parents facing the situation is never shown in such a subtle way in Hindi cinema. The Sky is Pink champs this.

The Sky is Pink is based on the true story of Aisha Chaudhary who was born with SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency), a rare genetic disorder. She eventually died of Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was a side-effect of her treatment for SCID. Aisha’s parents valiantly sacrificed their lives to help their daughter live longer. Niren and Aditi spent years living apart, they worked tirelessly to raise the money for treatment, at one point Niren even begged for donations on the radio, Aditi researched every possible cure and doctor and robotically disinfected surfaces that Aisha touched to prevent her from getting an infection because even a cold could prove fatal. They tried not just to keep her alive but also to keep her happy. 

They fail, as we already knew before we walked into the theatre. In fact, the film opens at a time when Aisha is already dead. She, however, tells us her story, posthumously - and by extension that of Moose (Priyanka) and Panda's (Farhan) - as she fondly calls them - and how they lost each other and found each other, in their struggle to not lose Aisha.

Zaira Wasim is, therefore, not the star that drives the film, even as she is the catalyst. The Sky Is Pink is completely fuelled by Priyanka Chopra - both in terms of characterization and the buzz she helped cause globally with this Bollywood comeback. It is commendable, though, that Priyanka Chopra chose this as her comeback, while Zaira Wasim chose this as her goodbye.

Niren and Aditi's story - of falling in love, their courtship, Aditi giving up her South Delhi life for an East Delhi chhajja, Niren surrendering himself to an untameable tigress, which frankly, he enjoys and wouldn't want to change - all help build these two characters who carry the film on their able shoulders. And, adds the pink in what could have otherwise been a very dark sky. Full points to Shonali Bose for that.

Shonali Bose's The Sky Is Pink is not so much about death as it is about several shades of grieving - for those who're left behind. 

The film, however, is not flawless. Priyanka Chopra looks glamorous and classy even in her 50's and even she is in grief that makes some scenes little staged.

Despite that, The Sky Is Pink is precariously balanced between being overdramatic and overtly subtle - like Shoojit Sircar's October was overtly subtle. It leaves you with a lingering afterthought, 

This film is not made for the audience who wants all kind of formulas from a masala entertainer, this movie might subtle to a niche audience. But it's a beautiful film like the colour pink.