Bollywood films are quintessentially masala entertainers which provide an essence of escapism to the audience with the music and storylines. However, once in a while, there comes a film which not only engages you with a gripping plot but you feel encouraged and inspired once you come out of the cinema hall. And what better way to have that experience by watching films with teacher-centric stories on the occasion of Teachers’ Day today.
Nonetheless, from Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan to Naseeruddin Shah and Aamir Khan, there have been many teachers on the silver screen, who have given us some bittersweet lessons in films that portray the guru-shishya bond in all its glory. So, here’s a look at the most iconic teachers in Bollywood who left us in awe with their soulful performances:
Black (2005)
Helmed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Black revolved around a deaf-blind girl (played by Rani Mukerji), and her relationship with her teacher (Amitabh Bachchan), who himself later develops Alzheimer's disease. The film featured stellar performances from both Rani and Big B and depicted how a teacher, how harsh he might be, has only one aim and that is the eventual progress of his student. In fact, Black broke the notion that a teacher’s profession is bound by four walls and a bell ring. Instead, it traverses all boundaries. Nonetheless, the film was a commercial and critical success.
Iqbal (2005)
The coming-of-age- sports drama, made under the direction of Nagesh Kukunoor, features a cricket-obsessed deaf and mute boy (played by Shreyas Talpade) and follows his journey as he achieves his aim of playing for the Indian national cricket team. Mohit (Naseeruddin Shah), who was once a great cricketer, trains Iqbal and becomes Iqbal’s strength in his cricket journey. Shreyas’s performance and his unconventional bond with his teacher Naseer was the highlight of the film.
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
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The film explored the life and imagination of Ishaan, an eight-year-old dyslexic child, whose poor academic performance leads his parents to send him to a boarding school. Aamir Khan plays his art teacher and with his unconventional methods, he helps him to overcome his disability. Taare Zameen Par was a beautiful portrayal of how art and social relevance can help raise children in a better way amidst this competitive and standardised world.
Chak De! India (2007)
Directed by Shimit Amin, the film tells a fictional story about the Indian women's national field hockey team and explores themes of as feminism, partition of India, religious bigotry, and ethnic prejudice. It showcases how Shah Rukh Khan as their coach and depicts how his encouragement turns the sixteen contentious players into a championship unit. SRK’s tough love towards his students, his analysis of the team’s strengths and weakness and his famous speech, kept the audience hooked.
3 Idiots (2009)
The film, a story of friendship of three students at an Indian engineering college, is a satirical take on the social pressures under an Indian education system. While Veeru Sahastrabuddhe (Boman Irani) plays the quintessential teacher who focuses on bookish knowledge, Aamir Khan’s Phunsukh Wangdu lives by the philosophy that one should pursue excellence, and as when it is achieved, success follows. By giving two striking viewpoints, Rajkumar Hirani proves his point to the T.
Aarakshan (2011)
The film, based on the controversial policy of caste based reservations in Indian government jobs and educational institutions, featured Amitabh Bachchan as a college principal, who turns into a social activist. Although the film was an average success at the box office, Big B’s fight against injustice to bring positive change in the education system without compromising on his principles and morals made for a gripping plot.
Hichki (2018)
An Indian adaptation of Brad Cohen's autobiography Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, Hichki features Rani Mukerji as an aspiring teacher having Tourette syndrome, who must prove herself by educating a group of underprivileged students. Despite becoming a laughing stock initially, Rani realises the true potential of the rebellious trouble making students and ends up becoming the ideal teacher she wanted to be.
Super 30 (2019)
Based on the life of mathematician Anand Kumar and his educational program Super 30, the Vikas Bahl directorial starred Hrithik Roshan as a socially and economically disadvantaged man, who turned around the fortunes of many others like him under his guidance. It starts off by focussing on lopsided education system and ends up becoming a saga of underdogs. Hrithik’s performance and his sacrifice to make his students triumph in both life and studies makes for a worthwhile watch!
Happy Teachers' Day to all!
