We normally do not associate #BollywoodCinema with pathbreaking insights or life messages. But there have been some gems now and then, that have shed light on unconventional topics, or have shown a well-known malaise in a different light.
Four Hindi films taught me more about life,
learning and living than any book could.
These are #Hichki, #DearZindagi, #TaareZameenPar and #Queen.
Hichki – Right of Each Child to a Good Life
#Hichki the film about a teacher afflicted with
Tourette Syndrome, goes to talk about the barriers and restrictions we
("so- called normal people") have in our minds that hold us back.
First, why do we, as teachers and as parents, lay
so much stress on teaching the same old syllabus in the same old manner? Why
go around the beaten path only, and drone on and on about formulae and theories
in physics, maths, chemistry? Why not imagine creative situations where these
theories can be demonstrated, exemplified, and therefore ingrained in the mind?
Two, every child is unique and has some inborn
talent. Just because he/she doesn't fit in your definition of a good student,
it doesn't mean he/she is worthless. Being
a teacher or parent doesn't give us the right to belittle any child because of
lack of marks or academic performance.
Three, when a student fails, morally or academically, a teacher also fails. The
responsibility of failure does not lie squarely on the shoulders of the
student; it means that the teaching methods have been inadequate. A
teacher has equal responsibility to motivate and enthuse a child to learn and
perform well, not only in examinations, but also prepare the child for real
life.
Fourth, and most important, examinations are not the be-all and end-all of a
student's existence and benchmark for a student's worth. Becoming
a successful student and becoming a good person are not necessarily the same. Brilliant students lack emotional intelligence, and
are snooty to a fault. “Hichki” showed us that ordinary, average students can
excel if they get the right inspiration. And #RaniMukherji gave a knockout performance.
Dear Zindagi – Normalizing Mental Health Issues
#GauriShinde’s #DearZindagi emphasized the
importance of acknowledging your emotions and seeking help/therapy when
required.
This in itself raises the film above the
ordinary. Hindi cinema has so far shied away from showing any kind of
psychological malaise, particularly that of the hero or heroine, who are always
depicted as perfect creatures.
Image: economictimes@indiatimes.com
Here, the protagonist, (played by an excellently
expressive and natural #AliaBhatt) is an extremely vulnerable, sensitive girl
who is assisted by her therapist in discovering her true calling and in finding
peace and happiness.
The film's story and treatment are both
refreshingly realistic. The director shows that she has her pulse on the youth
of today and can deftly portray their angst, moodiness and loneliness.
Taare Zameen Par – Every Child is Unique
Then there is the master-perfectionist-actor, #AamirKhan’s #TaareZameenPar, where little Ishaan’s angst and isolation gets
emotional anchorage in the compassionate tutelage of his art teacher.
“Taare Zameen Par” is a sensitive exploration of
a unique mind, the mind of a 8-year old kid (a moving #DarsheelZafary) with #Dyslexia. Through the child’s struggle to make sense of things, we- as the
audience, laugh and cry along. Image: IMDb
The way society treats a #differentlyabled child, the pitfalls of the conventional methods of teaching, the therapeutic
value of artistic expression in children, the right of each child to be treated
with respect and empathy, we learnt all this and more from this sensitively
made film.
The film is, till-date, a kind of wake-up call
for the #IndianEducationSystem, that lays undue importance on rote-learning
of conventional subjects, and that treats those who lag behind as “failures”.
Teachers need to learn a lot - this was the film’s essential message, and
adults can take a leaf or two out of a gifted child’s page.
Queen- Self Love and Acceptance
And finally, #Queen was a film that taught us
that we are the masters of our life, and that self-love is the ultimate love.
As the girl rejected at the outset of the movie
for not being "modern" enough, Rani (a brilliant #KanganaRanaut)
stuns her detractors and family alike with her transformation. She
does not judge, does not criticize, she just accepts. Touching everybody she
comes in contact with on foreign shores, she learns to live in the true sense.
Her openness and quiet strength come as an eye-opener to everybody eager to
write her off as a "bechari".
Image: Times of India
This film is about empowering oneself to face all kinds of challenges and
tribulations life doles out to one. Everybody can relate to the film, not just
women. Almost everyone has faced such situations in life, where one really
feels it is the end of the road.
But #Queen shows us that life is much more than
one small incident or setback. Life needs to be lived, not just endured.
With a smile on your face, and acceptance in your heart, and a non-judgmental
stance, one can win the world literally.3
When Rani rejects her ultimately repentant
husband-to-be, and walks out with her head high and a quiet smile, you feel
cathartic.
There Are More
These four gems from Hindi cinema have been
stellar teachers to me. Yes, there are more.
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| Image: Wikipedia |
#NilBatteSannata taught that its never too late to learn. #Sridevi's #EnglishVinglish and #Mom showed the awesome powers of an ordinary woman and mother.
#Pink taught me the right to say no to patriarchy
and aggression, while #ZindagiNaMilegiDobara demonstrated the need for an
open mind for experiencing life’s true beauty. #Chhichhore showed that we need to embrace and accept failure and failing doesn't make one a loser.
#MeeRaqsam stressed on the inclusive culture of
our country and the fact that art has no religion. #TheLastColour showed
that friendship is possible between two entirely different people, and that
empathy can bind more than blood can.
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