PK: When Aamir Khan had to go alien to expose religious hypocrisy. Will it be greenlit today?

In the film, PK is an alien who turns to worshipping the gods of all religions, believing it’s the only way to find his missing locket—the key to returning home—because that’s what he’s been told. This reflects how no one had the patience or compassion to offer him practical guidance, instead resorting to the simple yet evasive advice: “Ask God, He will help you.”

Rewatching PK feels like peeling back the layers of deeply ingrained biases within us. It’s equal parts funny and poignant, emotional yet profoundly eye-opening. Each viewing challenges you to confront not just your prejudices toward religion but also your assumptions about humanity—all while keeping you thoroughly entertained. The film’s ‘back to basics’ approach allows you to see the world through PK’s untainted, childlike eyes.

In one of the film’s most iconic lines, PK declares, “Believe in the God who created us, not the God whom you created.” This statement becomes the backbone of his journey as he navigates a maze of religious contradictions. When a policeman mistakes PK for a member of another faith, he sarcastically advises, “Will you spark a riot, go worship your own God.” This sets PK on a quest to find the true God. But in his journey, PK exposes how every religion contradicts itself – from contrasting food restrictions and dress codes to rituals that demand money for divine intervention.

PK feels like an extension of 3 Idiots’ Rancho (also played by Aamir), the character who gets thrown out of class for providing a sharp, straightforward answer to an unnecessarily complicated question. Similarly, PK is thrashed, slammed, and ridiculed for calling out the obvious.

One of the film’s most striking moments is PK’s concept of “wrong numbers”—fraudulent religious practices misguiding innocent people. In one unforgettable scene, PK confronts a self-styled godman who advises a grieving man to abandon his ailing wife and seek God in the Himalayas. PK counters this with sharp logic, saying, “Why would God complicate things for him and ask him to leave the person who needs him the most?” It’s a moment that’s both hilarious and profoundly thought-provoking, encapsulating the absurdity of blind faith.

While it’s hard to imagine PK being released in today’s political climate, its release in 2014 wasn’t without controversy. Various Hindu organizations demanded a ban on the film, while some Muslim boards called for the removal of certain scenes. The poster featuring Aamir posing nude with a strategically placed boombox to cover his modesty also sparked outrage, with demands for its removal gaining traction. Let’s say the film ruffled all the feathers that existed.

But staying true to its theme, PK rose above these biases and was released in theatres. It remains one of the most cherished films of Aamir Khan’s career. The film also featured Ranbir Kapoor in a special appearance towards the end, hinting at the possibility of the actor taking the story forward with PK 2. While there hasn’t been any noise on that front, Ranbir Kapoor is currently gearing up for the release of Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.

Demand shapes the supply chain, and perhaps we aren’t ready for PK 2 just yet.