Time was when my film reviews used to be quoted in local newspapers as part of the film advertisement. Like 'Pratima Agnihotri of the "Newstime" says...', and along with Subhash Jha's for another English biggie. Why, our coverage in the "New Indian Express" of the Children's Film Festival was noted by none other than the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Chandra Babu Naidu.
Yes, I do love films, though, of course, not as much as books n reading/writing or music. It was hence a pleasure to watch online a less known but good film entitled "Rough Book", scripted and directed by Anant Mahadevan. This much awarded film is quite a linear narration about an idealist teacher, enacted by Tannishtha Chatterjee, who changes the very profile of her under-performing students.
The plot, narrated through a few flashbacks and later through some montages, tells how she opposés the mercantile attitude to teaching which consists of an unholy 'college-tuition class' alliance. Nor is she ready for 'tests' that prepare students for the final exam so that the institute can manage cent per cent results.
Instead, she believes in making students love studies, explore concepts hands-on, and thus in the process get good scores. She links education to their hobbies, sees to it that their basic fundas are perfect. Arrogant brats thus start getting immersed in studies so much so that they crack the IIT-JEE.
She believes that education is a process of socialisation as well as studies, and thus is a catalyst in their personality development. The film, though not didactic, is a great critique of the demand-supply mode of education, of wily smarties using the system to their advantage. In a 2026 marred by all sorts of educational/exam-oriented scandals, it is a proper lesson that must be watched by parents and professors-n-principals alike.
Despite the symbolism of the title and of the broken glass of her car, the narration of this optimistic movie is highly realistic. Properly paced, this film apparently based on a true story, is thankfully without any song n dance hoo-ha.
Like the minimal background music, some 'arresting' shots suggestively show the angst of the lady and her students. Her personal tragedy is interwoven well with the growth of the students. Performances by the lead actress and those in the supporting roles, be it Aman Khan or Ran Kapoor, make the movie worth a watch. Basically, it is lovable for the message that idealism, however much hindered, changes lives for better!
Pratima@ Sad is the fact that such a movie, which shows the subtle corruption, the real violence actually, in as central an institution as education, sinks without a trace in the mainstream media-ted wor(l)d!
Quote of the day: Says Confucius, "education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, hope breeds peace" with self and the world.
Word of the day: didactic Didactic describes something intended to teach, instruct, or impart a moral lesson. While originally a neutral term for educational instruction, it is frequently used to describe any text that feels overly preachy, boring, or burdened by its determination to teach.
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