Amitabh Bachchan is playing a character diagnosed with Progeria in his forthcoming Paa. Progeria - also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome - is an extremely rare genetic condition wherein symptoms resembling aspects of ageing are manifested at an early age. In R Balki’s Paa, Bachchan plays Auro a 13-year-old who actually looks 25 odd years older than himself because he has Progeria. The excitement around the film is palpable. And though the Bollywood legend is underplaying the kind of reviews he is generating from those who have seen rushes of the film, Paa will be path-breaking as far the Indian film industry goes, say trade experts. PB372