Movie Preview: Pankh

The film, Pankh zeros in on the psychological burden attached to stardom, especially when it starts young. Pankh is the story of a pushy mother (Lilette Dubey), who thrusts her child (Maradona) into the film industry at an early age and forces him to act the part of a little girl in films. Baby Kusum is a child star, a cute little girl. In reality, Baby Kusum is boy, masquerading as a girl. He was christened Jerry, and then named Master Jai for the movies. He and his mother Mary (Lilette) share a turbulent relationship. Once the boy reaches adolescence, he's a drug-abuser who has never been to school and spends all his time at home. As a youth, Jerry meets his dream woman, Nandini (Bipasha), causing another inner turmoil. Bipasha is the fantasy woman who Maradona conjures up in his head-a phantom who taunts him and fights with him, an alter ego who questions his every move. Jerry is made to face the camera again as a young man, which leads to the final catastrophe. The film highlights the common practice in the Indian film industry of casting children in role contrary to their natural genders, there screen.