HINDI MEDIUM

Raj Batra is a boutique owner who lives in Chandni Chowk, with his wife Mita and 5-year-old daughter, Pia. The couple want Pia to be admitted to a prestigious English-medium school in Delhi as they feel that this will enable her to become a part of the elite of society. They decide on Delhi Grammar School, ranked the best in the city, but it requires that students must stay within a 3-km radius of the school. They move to a posh villa in Delhi's upscale Vasant Vihar neighborhood and try to become more refined in their manner. A consultant, Shikha, despite her misgivings about them, tutors them in the answers to be given in the admission interview, but their limited knowledge of English means Pia's application is rejected. Raj and Mita learn from an employee that his daughter has been admitted through the Right to Education (RTE) quota, a scheme that helps children from poor families to be admitted to prestigious schools.

 

Education system scams are such a great premise, for anyone really. Students, parents, teachers, I think half of the world’s population are in these categories.

First, dedicating this post to one of my favourite actors, Irrfan Khan. We miss you.

Now to the gist, this movie is AMAZING. I do not regret watching it one bit. The details like always in the plot, acting and music. The three golden parts of a movie for me. Stuff like cinematography comes later, especially in movies like this.

The education system is no joke. In any country, we all live the reality that to be educated we have to work really hard to get in an organization. But in India, there is another minor issue, English literacy. I cannot deny that the English Language is looked at as a status, a class, a sign of an educated mind, because it is a global language. But sometimes things can get too far. Maybe like thinking its an obsession. That’s exactly what this movie is about. How far would you go to obtain that status? How important is it? How many people can afford it? How much would you sacrifice for your family?

The blend between family and education is a great change in a movie, as I rarely come across material that incorporates both. As a father, do you think differently than a mother? As a mother, do you overthink your child’s future? The main girl, Pia, who is the one that her mother and dad are fighting for, has no clue how much they had to give in for her. But was it necessary?

I admit parenting is no easy task, especially when it comes to the schooling stage of a kid. Any parent would want the best for his/her child, no doubt. Even I remember facing the issue of not getting a place in the school that my mom and dad wanted, Convent Klang, when I was 7. Of course, I do not know what they went through, but I know it was not an easy feat. They could not get me in and appealed everywhere they could until I was finally placed In Convent. Which made it much easier for my sisters to get in. But, I wonder if I did not get in, would things have been that different?

Secondly, the acting. As usual, Irrfan was impeccable in this one. My favourite thing about him is how believable he is as an actor. I do not stop to think that this is a movie, it ends up feeling like a biopic of a real person who really experienced these things. That’s magical. The lead actress did her role as well, as I was thoroughly annoyed with her role (meaning she acted well). Mothers can get on my nerves, not going to lie. Their way of thinking, obsession towards their kids, that is normal, but rarely seen on the paternal side of the family. Maybe I would get on my own nerves one day.

Next, I want to point out the obvious here. Whitewawhing at its best. Yes, it is a problem. Yes, it is not acknowledged. Yes, some do not even know about its consequences. Whitewashing has been going on for decades, I admit even I can be influenced by it. I feel like white superiority will never cease, because some things are always put on a pedestal, like the English Language. However, I do not know it that can be called progress to our society. This movie also gently rubs the harsh reality in that we want to live in those kinds of worlds. Some maybe ashamed of our own culture and think lowly of it. Maybe, deep down, yes, I can feel insignificant as a Malaysian. Or stereotyped as an Indian. But that does not mean I hate my origins for it. Some people I know feel disgraced if I even associate them with Indian cultures and are prepared to change their whole identity for it. My advice, you do you. But do not think lowly of your identity just because you concocted a fantasy in your head that there are superior ones.

But I 100% recommend this to watch, especially for a nice, warm family movie (lacking those at the moment). But if you're a parent, how far would you really go for your child? Honest question that brings by a lot of dishonest answers. 

Cast:  Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar, Sanjana Sanghi, Kiran Khoje, Dishita Sehgel, Amrita Singh, Deepak Dobriyal, Neelu Kohli, Rajeev Gupta, Sumitt Gulati, Mallika Dua, Kulvir Kaur, Charu Shankar, Tillo Tama, Shomi, Rajesh Sharma, Taran Bajaj, Ankur Jain, Swati Das, Neha Dhupia, Sanjay Suri, Anshuman Nandi. 

Director: Saket Chaudhary

Year released: 2017

Link to watch full movie with english subtitles:  

Hindi Medium (2017) Full Movie Online Free Streaming (topeuropix.site)