Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani has opened up about the creative logic behind casting an alien as the central figure in PK, saying the device was chosen for its ability to approach religion without prejudice.

Rajkumar Hirani reveals why PK featured an alien protagonist: “He would know nothing about the way we see God”

Hirani made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Variety India, on the occasion of him attending the launch event for Pritam And Pedro, an upcoming web series directed by Avinash Arun that he is backing under his banner, Rajkumar Hirani Films.

The alien as a narrative device

Drawing a distinction between his approach and that of Steven Spielberg, who has long used extra-terrestrial figures for sci-fi spectacle, Hirani said, “My reason will be surely completely different to Mr. Spielberg’s reason to use them in his films.”

He explained that the choice was rooted in the character’s innocence rather than genre convention. “My reason to use one in PK was purely that if there’s an alien who lands on earth, he would know nothing about the way we see God. Through his innocence, we’ll be able to tell a story about God in religions. Because if you were narrating the story from the point of view of some rationalist, he would have a fixed view,” Hirani said.

He also revealed that the character was originally written as a Mowgli-like figure raised in the jungle, far from human society. “He leaves the jungle after 20 years, nobody has told him what God is. So, he’s very curious. From there on, one fine day, that character became an alien. Yeah, that was the only reason,” he said.

On the decline of children’s cinema

Hirani also addressed the shrinking space for children’s films in India, attributing it to commercial caution rather than creative disinterest.

“Studios hesitate to make a film because they might feel that there’s not a market. But I always feel there’s always one. It’s just what story you choose to tell. For example, in Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish, Hrithik and Rakesh Roshan went ahead and made beautiful films for children. Even for Chillar Party, director Nitesh Tiwari made a beautiful film. At the same time, I remember that they were struggling to sell it. I don’t think anybody’s deliberately not making it, it’s a choice of individual filmmakers and studios to put it out there,” he said.

Hirani’s comments come as he steps into the streaming space with Pritam And Pedro, marking a new chapter for Rajkumar Hirani Films beyond theatrical cinema.

Also Read: Pritam And Pedro trailer launch: Arshad Warsi on his association with Rajkumar Hirani: “I think Raju has a little faith in me as an actor”