Bollywood Movies that challenged the traditional education system in India
By: The Education Growth Summit
Tags: Films, Bollywood, Tegs, Education, Education System

Raagini Ram

Bollywood is the most popular and well-known industry in India and movies are probably one of the most efficient ways to get across a message. Films on the education system are rarely explored by Bollywood, however having said that there have been some movies that have openly challenged the Indian education system, talking about its flaws and loopholes. Here are some movies that have had an impact on students and education -

Taare Zameen Par

Picture Source: moviedatabase.org

Picture Source: moviedatabase.org

National award-winning film Taare Zameen Par is the first film that comes to mind when talking about movies that challenge the traditional education system. Starring Amir Khan and Darsheel Safari, this film depicts the journey of a young boy, Ishaan, whose parents fearing his poor academic performance send him away to boarding school. Art teacher Ram Shanjr Nikumbh suspects that the boy is in fact dyslexic. Under the teacher’s guidance, Ishaan is able to thrive in his own way. This movie shares a message that every child is different and learns differently and that there is no reason for anyone to put a child down based on his academic performance. Apart from this, the movie also raises awareness on dyslexia and brought in a different perspective to this learning disability which even to CV this day is looked down upon in the education industry.

2. 3 Idiots

Picture Source: writing.searchenglish.com

Picture Source: writing.searchenglish.com

Challenging the biggest Indian stereotype of education, one that puts the profession of engineering on a pedestal, 3 idiots talk about the importance of free-thinking, creativity and most important choice. In India, children have been often forced into these traditional career paths out of no interest of their own, ones that are chosen by parents. This movie highlights the typical lives of many Indian engineering students. The message of this movie is to work hard, to follow your passion and to go after your dreams rather than success. It talks about how at the end of the day if you do what you love, you will succeed.

3. English Vinglish

Picture Source : youtube.com

Housewife and caterer Shashi is constantly mocked by her family for not knowing English. A quiet and submissive woman, Shashi finally decides to take matters into her own hands and begins to build her self-confidence by taking English lessons. This movie can be credited for throwing light on issues of social exclusion that many Indians, especially women face due to their inability to speak English. Women were never given proper education and this movie shows the apparent consequences of it. This movie sends a message that for learning there is no age.

4. Nil Battey Sannata

Picture Source : koimoi.com

When translated, Nil Battey Sannata means ‘zero divided by zero equals nothing’ which is slang for ‘good for nothing’. This movie talks about the importance of education in our lives and about how many of us take it for granted. Chanda, a school dropout, housemaid and single mother enrols herself in her daughter’s school in the same class as her. This film focuses on the importance of dreams and how education can change lives regardless of social status. Additionally, this shows the Indian education system as it is, without any sugar coating and emphasizes on how a parent’s limitation shouldn’t stop a child from achieving anything.

5. Chal Chalein

Picture Source: Hindilyrics.com

This is one such film that directly challenged the Indian education system, one that is believed to cause pressure on students that often lead to major psychological disorders. This movie deals with student suicide, a topic which unfortunately is still a major issue in India. The movie depicts how school-going children are being forced into doing things they aren’t good at or have any interest in, for example, a young artist who has no time to paint because he has to focus on math and physics. This movie stresses on the fact that education exists for one to grow and not to kill them.

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