To sir, with love

Many a film in the Hindi cinema has been inspired by our educational system, particularly
teachers who are often portrayed as upholders of moral values, says M. L. Dhawan

ECHOES of messages given by teachers have often been heard in films over the years. Holding up mirror to moral and social prejudices, teachers in Hindi films have always stood upright despite the crumbling value system in our society.

Milind Ukey’s Pathshala is the story about a school, which is on the verge of shutting down in the face of financial constraints and competition from more advanced neighbouring schools. This dismal situation takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Nana Patekar, a dynamic Principal, and Shahid Kapoor, a charismatic teacher. A perfect blend of emotions, comedy and drama, the film carries a heartfelt message for students, parents and teachers.

Directed by Rajkumar Hirani and based on a book by Chetan Bhagat, 3 Idiots starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor is set against the backdrop of IIT. The movie depicts the lives of young students in universities. Three students Ryan (Aamir Khan), Hari (Madhavan) and Alok (Sharman Joshi).

Shyam Benegal’s path-breaking film Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008) was a satire on the educational system. In Sajjanpur, though cell phones have arrived but literacy is unknown with only one graduate Mahadev (Shreyas Talpade) who reads out and writes letters for the villagers for a small price.

Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par (2007) was about the trials and triumphs of an eight-year-old dyslexic child Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary). The film gave a new ray of hope to the parents of many dyslexic children. The devotion and dedication of an art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) opened the minds of people and changed several attitudes. This unconventional teacher helped celebrate dyslexia.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black (2005), based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, was about a blind and hearing and speech impaired girl- Michelie (Rani Mukherjee). The film started off with an eight-year-old Michelie trapped in her world of darkness. Her parents are desperate about her until help arrives in the form of an ageing teacher Debraj Sahai (Amitabh Bachchan) who helps her to become a graduate. She could then dance and write her name. The devoted teacher shows that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Yash Chopra’s Mohabbatein (2000) was about two strong and stubborn teachers —Principal Narayan Shankar (played by Amitabh Bachchan) and music teacher Raj Aryan (Shah Rukh Khan). Raj Aryan used to be a student at this school and had fallen in love with daughter of Narayan Shankar. The Principal had rusticated him without confronting the erring student. The daughter had committed suicide.

As an ode to his eternal love, the music teacher has made it his mission to unite lovers. Ultimately Narayan Shankar drops his rigidity against display of affection.

In Mahesh Bhatt’s Saaransh, the retired Principal B.B Pradhan becomes a flag-bearer of protest in his own endearing way. This old teacher is exposed to violence and corruption when he comes to collect the ashes of his NRI son. His stubbornness pays and he grows from a bundle of physical debility to a powerhouse of strength. Although he and his wife are depressed enough to commit suicide, fate pushes them to give shelter to young woman who is single and pregnant. B.B.Pradhan gets a reason to live. He takes up cudgels against gang overlord Nilu Phulay. He debunks the crumbling, pulverised system of governance. For his is the power of principles alone — the good old time-tested, a priori ethics of good and bad, right and wrong evil and noble.

Seeing Jennifer Kendal in Shashi Kapoor’s 36 Chowringhee Lane (1982) passionately teaching Shakespeare to disinterested students, any English teacher would nod his//her head at the way this teacher put her soul into her work. When a former student comes back into her life, the teacher transforms herself into a loving grandmother figure. When she comes to know that the student had used her for selfish reasons, she feels dejected.

In Pratighaat, N. Chandra cried out against the nexus of the politician, the police and the local hoodlum through an unconventional warrior — a small-time female college lecturer — Lakshmi (Sujata Joshi),who despite her plebeian bearings, acquired heroic proportions as she waged a war against the hoodlum neeta. Lakshmi was not larger than life but her integrity and sense of justice enabled her to rise the smallness around her. These are the pulverised masses who generally turn their backs towards anything amiss as long as it does not affect them. But Lakshmi was a crusader wherever she went. She cleaned up the college which was bogged down by indiscipline and politicised student leadership. Then she moved on to the Municipal level and confronted the despot of the town. Lakshmi tuned Durga . Nevertheless the lecturer was a frail woman who acquired messianic overtones and succeeded in her mission.

In Sai Paranjpye’s Sparsh (1979), Anirudh (Naseeruddin Shah) is visually impaired principal of a school for visually impaired students. A young widow Kavita (Shabana Azmi) gets involved with activities of the school. She falls in love with Anirudh, who has an overactive sense of right and wrong. He is reluctant to open up emotionally to another person. His obsession with being completely self-reliant and his suspicion that Kavita is acting more out of sympathy than love create misunderstanding between the two. Finally a good friend of the couple intervenes and helps them sort out their differences.

Nargis as Vidya in Raj Kapoor’s Shri 420 (1955) is a schoolteacher, who walks besides the downtown tramp Raju (Raj Kapoor) when she sees the medallion of honour bestowed upon him for his integrity.

When Raju pawns his principles, along with the medallion for a pocket full of gold, Vidya closes the door on his face. She refuses to walk with him on the road to crime. A handful of green bills, the dubious road to material success is not enough to lure her.

Filmistan Production’s Jagriti (1954) dwelt on the problem children. Fed up with the activities of group of incorrigible students and their irreverence for authority, the principal is on the verge of expelling them from the school.

Fortunately before that drastic action is initiated, a devoted teacher — Abhi Bhattacharya shoulders the responsibility to reform the problem students, who turn a new leaf in their life with the help and guidance of their esteemed teacher.

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