#10yearsofPiku: 6 lesser known facts about Amitabh-Irrfan-Deepika collab

Amitabh Bachchan, Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone’s Piku released 10 years ago has emerged as a cult classic. Even today people call this Shoojit Sircar directorial a fantastic movie with both Big B and Irrfan stealing the show with their strong acting. The pairing of Irrfan Khan and Deepika Padukone was quite fresh, different and intriguing.

More than a decade later Piku continues to have a strong following with fans eager to watch it on a rewind whenever they have free time.

Parineeti Chopra was the first choice

Not Deepika Padukone but Shoojit Sircar wanted Parineeti Chopra for the lead female role. However Pari refused citing she was already doing a father-daughter movie Daawat-e-Ishq. That is how the role went to Deeps and rest is history. While Daawat-e-Ishq flopped Piku emerged a decent hit and over the years have become a cult success.

Irrfan Khan ditched Alien director for Piku

At that time Irrfan Khan was in big demand both in Hollywood and Bollywood. He was offered The Martian by Alien and Blade Runner director Ridley Scott. However, he opted for Piku and it really made a big difference to the impact the movie made on the audience.

Shoojit Sircar's #Piku turns 10 today! 😍#Piku is set for a Re-release in theatres in May to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. 😍

9th May 😍@SrBachchan Sir @deepikapadukone #irrfankhan @MoushumiChatte6 @Jisshusengupta#10YearsOfPiku 🤗🥳 pic.twitter.com/vCnRZ9kEMz

— Shani Yadav 🆎❤️ (@JrYadav1409) May 8, 2025

Deepika Padukone learnt Bengali for Piku

The Gehraiyaan actress has been brought up in Bengaluru and has been fluent in Hindi, English and her native language. But since Piku was a Bengali character she specifically learnt Bengali. It was important because although the movie was in Hindi whenever the character of Piku was disturbed or agitated she would automatically break into her mother tongue. And to ensure that looked natural, Deepika took lessons in Bengali, worked on its accent and diction.

It is believed that Shoojit’s wife helped her get the diction and tone right.

Amitabh Bachchan’s role was a tribute to Anand

Being a Bengali Shoojit Sircar is a big fan of Anand director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The name of Amitabh Bachchan in Anand was Bhaskar. And hence as a tribute to Hrishida, Amitabh’s name in Piku was Bhaskar Banerjee.

Shoojit forced Moushumi to end her hiatus

Bollywood actress Moushumi Chatterjee had almost stopped working in movies by then. But Shoojit wanted her to play the role of chatterbox Chobi Mashi and hence pleaded her to make a comeback in movie with Piku. On Shoojit’s insistence the actress returned to big screen after 8 years.

Kabhi udaasi mein, kabhi muskurahat mein – Piku ka wo kaunsa gaana hai jo hamesha saath deta hai?

Piku, re-releasing on 9th May.@aroyfloyd @sonypicsfilmsin@_PVRCinemas#Piku #FilmRelease #DeepikaPadukone #IrrfanKhan #AmitabhBachchan #ShoojitSircar #AnupamRoy pic.twitter.com/FjH4zCyDd4

— sonytv (@SonyTV) May 6, 2025

Piku’s story was inspired by Ayon Chakraborty

The highlight of Piku was the father daughter bonding and it is this bonding and their small fights that added a distinct charm to the film. Interestingly, the name Piku and also the overall relationship presentation between Piku and Bhaskar were lifted from the life of screenwriter Ayon Chakraborty.