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Bollywood Film Review “Hindi Medium”

  

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

Is it not in a parent’s nature to desire what’s best for their children? The opportunity to not just see them grow healthy physically, but in knowledge and drive to succeed as well, to excel beyond expectation and find significance. Yes, parents will go to any lengths to ensure this happens. But at what cost when the ends may not actually justify the means by which it is all attained? Raj (Irrfan Khan) and Mita (Saba Qamar) live in Chandni Chowk, Delhi with their daughter Pia, living a highly successful life thanks to Raj’s fashion business. However, one aspect of their existence eludes them–the chance to be accepted among Delhi’s true elite via sending Pia to an exclusive school for more astute education.

Despite their applications being submitted to every upper class English medium school in Delhi, social and “class” factors involved seem to thwart the couple’s every effort to obtain what they seek. In desperation to see the family at peace and amongst high society, Raj and Mita make a choice to exploit a loophole in the admissions process that places them in a compromising position and under even more pressure from the extreme scrutiny of officials from the school they’ve chosen to aim for. As events unfold that would point towards Raj and Mita getting what they desire for Pia and themselves, it becomes painfully clear that accomplishing what you want illicitly reveals too high a price.

Next, my Mind:

Like several of the recent Bollywood theatrical releases this reviewer has seen, director Saket Chaudhary’s newest feature film effort carries with it a pronounced independent tone and execution in delivering its story about one couple’s endeavors to find affirmation and betterment for their child, yet also for themselves, via choosing to do so by measures that bend or break the existing system thanks to the blatant rejection they initially experience. It illustrates the depth of their unwavering commitment, undying love, and sincere drive to see Pia flourish, but also their own, dare say selfish, need to likewise be adored by the jet set they long to be a part of. But, it’s in this attempt to see it come about that exposes them to the realities of what it means to be human again, re-learning what it is to sacrifice for and support each other on levels Raj and Mita had lost sight of, hence making the narrative that much more relatable, affectingly dramatic, and relevant to take in, tempered with intentionally overblown facets that add wonderfully grounded humor to the proceedings.

Khan continues to impress me in virtually everything I’ve ever seen him in, as he exudes a commanding aura and veteran maturity in his performances while also proving he is a master at situational comedic delivery. This very much carries on here as Raj, a man of success and confidence who only wants what’s best for his wife and child, yet still finds he feels slighted by those more highfalutin than himself. Wanting to know that world and be acknowledged by them, he tries his best to make that happen, yet ends up being illuminated to the real truths about how trying to cheat and lie to get there isn’t the way to achieve it. Khan expertly navigates this with fully elegant balance.

Qamar is equally adept in her portrayal of Mita, a loving, devoted, yet constantly paranoid woman who keeps having hilariously overwrought mental pictures of the couple’s daughter ending up on drugs every time a wrench gets thrown into the ideal scenario and/or plans her and Raj have for Pia and getting her accepted into an elite school. We know she completely supports her husband, even when her exterior attitudes don’t always indicate it, and we also know her unconditional loyalty to Pia is unquestionably present. Watching the character experience poverty is both heartfelt and amusing, and Qamar certainly holds her own extremely well overall opposite Khan.

Supporting characters are brought into play from Deepak Dobriyal as Shyam, the couple’s teacher in true poorness yet wealth of heart, Swati Das as Tulsi, Shyam’s wife, as well as Vijay Kumar Dogra, Jaspal Sharma, Delzad Hiwale enacting the younger Raj, and Sanjana Sanghi as the younger Mita, among others. In total, with its pertinent, on-topic themes about the struggle for acceptance, lies vs. honesty, desiring better things for our children, realizing the value of being exactly where we are while still pursuing dreams, and the worth of helping out other people even at the sacrifice of our own comfort or goals, “Hindi Medium” is a worthy independent effort, elevated by stellar performances, and a film that might get sadly overlooked by far too many people. Let’s hope word of mouth can change that.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment.  Until next time, thank you for reading!

 

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