Based on the real-life account of Aisha Chaudhary and the Chaudhary family, Shonali Bose’s slice-of-life drama revolves around the theme of loss, hope and happiness. The Sky Is Pink paints a picture of Aisha and her family’s journey as she battles with a life-threatening disease. Born with a severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), 6-months-old Aisha had to go through a bone-marrow transplant. Later in life, she is diagnosed with Busulfan-induced lung damage or the condition of pulmonary fibrosis.
The prior knowledge about the true story and the trailer in itself gives away the fact that we are dealing with the loss of a central character. Most of the viewers are also aware that the character is Aisha. People often have a preconceived notion and prepare themselves about what to expect from a film that deals with an ailing child inching closer to death. What they do not expect is the now expired child as the sole narrator of the story. Our heart goes out to the Chaudhary family immediately after realizing the past tense attached to the same voice. Aisha is vibrant and full of life as she begins to narrate the story of her parents (fondly addressed as Mousse and Panda) and the audience is introduced to the main set of characters through her. The film from its very opening allows viewers to be at ease despite making them aware of the gravity of the scenario.
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Aditi and Niren’s journey is divided into two phases. Their initial struggles begin when they move to London with baby Aisha for her treatment. The financial crisis, mental strain, physical exhaustion and day-to-day responsibilities, they see it all. They are faced with another new set of struggles when Aisha is diagnosed with lung disease and the cycle of her life becomes uncertain once again. Yet, the family comes together to experience the little joys of life as long as it lasts, creating memories that go beyond death and could be cherished for a lifetime. The audience is moved as well as inspired by the way the family deals with their pain and finds happiness in the minute of things. In the background, the film also very subtly addresses a few social issues.
It also touches the very real feelings of a teenage heart and in the end, urges the audience to reach out to the other Aishas in the world.
Although the emotional quotient of the film is relatively high, there is no over dramatization in the script. Death as a concept is not exaggerated nor romanticized but rather dealt with in a positive light alongside traces of constant pain and fear that the characters occasionally come to direct terms with. There are moments when viewers are bound to feel a lump forming at the base of their throat but it is not essentially a typical tearjerker. What sets the film apart is that it not only highlights the feeling of loss but gives out a lot of hope. Even though it deals with an issue as grave as the impending death of a child or a young adult, it weaves patches of happiness throughout. Much of this vibe is based on the thoughts and ideals of the real-life Aisha, who firmly believed in finding happiness irrespective of the difficulty of any situation. Shonali Bose as a filmmaker has beautifully stayed close to reality. The execution is noteworthy but nothing less can be expected from a bunch of talented casts.
Contrary to the central theme, the film has some great humorous and quirky dialogues that manage to win some giggles from the audience. The beauty of the film lies in the subtle way of dealing with a serious crisis. There is an underlying depth in the simple storytelling. The film is set across different timelines and the establishment is clear and concise. The cinematography is commendably equipped with decent editing. However, there are a few noticeable loose ends in the script that could have been managed better to build up a stronger connection with the story and characters. The music fails to create a large impact. The compilation of the concluding montage from actual videos is heartbreaking, to say the least, but the beauty of it also makes one smile.
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Priyanka–Farhan shares the screen nearly 4 years after Dil Dhakadne Do and their chemistry as the doting couple truly shines through.
This film is a great example of how the loss of a loved one has their lifelong impact on a family yet the hope of starting afresh never dies. It does not shy away from the truth that death, especially one that is untimely, often creates an irreplaceable void but it also shows how life moves on. The hues of ‘The Sky Is Pink’ surely seep into the hearts of the audience and tugs at their heartstrings. It is a film that binds together both the feeling of heart-warming and heart-wrenching leaving behind an audience who smiles through the mist in their eyes.
