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 "PK" opens in Indian cinemas on Friday with audiences still
in the dark about the film's storyline or why its naive and
unworldly protagonist with pointy ears never blinks.
Trailers and publicity stills released in the past few weeks
have sparked a guessing game about the plot, with its green-eyed
hero said to be an alien or an autistic savant.
The film's makers have laughed off speculation that "PK" is
inspired by the 1994 Oscar-winning film, "Forrest Gump", whose
slow-witted narrator becomes a Vietnam war hero, cross-country
runner and a successful businessman.
"You don't want to reveal your film and ruin the viewing
experience," director Rajkumar Hirani told Reuters in an
interview.
"We are trying to shake some pre-conceived notions, trying to
look at things differently."
Trailers for the film feature the protagonist saying he doesn't
know his name, although people call him 'PK', similar to the
Hindi term for a drunk, a conclusion drawn from his antics. His
lips are stained red from chewing betel nut.
One controversial poster showed leading man Aamir Khan walking
along railway tracks, nude except for a vintage radio set
covering his genitals. A trailer shows Khan in a ghagra, a
traditional long skirt worn by women.
Trade analysts said curiosity about its storyline and the
low-key marketing campaign would help "PK" at the box office.
"Christmas vacations haven't started, but advance bookings have
already picked up and almost all theaters, at least in Mumbai,
are running full," said one analyst, Amod Mehra.
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Hirani's track record as one of India's most successful directors
and top billing for Khan, one of its biggest stars, do not hurt.
The last time Hirani made a film, coincidentally also starring Khan,
the result was Indian cinema's biggest hit for four years.
His 2009 film, "3 Idiots," a heart-warming tale about college life,
was only upstaged last year, first by "Chennai Express" and then by
"Dhoom 3".
"PK" is assured of good box office and its makers are eyeing another
record on Friday, when fans finally discover what it is about.
In October, "Happy New Year" set an opening-day record for a film in
India, ringing up ticket sales of more than 440 million rupees ($7
million) on Oct. 24, the day after Diwali, the Hindu festival of
lights.
(Writing by Tony Tharakan; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
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