Hindi Medium: Class-divide and the class room

Shafiq ul Hasan Siddiqui

English is not a language but a class – this powerful line describes the mindset of the society we live in today.

Saket Chaudhary’s new venture Hindi Medium navigates the conflicts between education and the class system. The movie features Irrfan Khan, Deepak Dobriyal and also marks the debut of Pakistani actress Saba Qamar. For many of us Hindi Medium is the story of of our lives – directly or indirectly.

Raj (Irrfan Khan) and Mita (Saba Qamar) are childhood sweethearts from the lower income area Chandni Chowk. They are a hard working, ambitious couple who tie the knot and start a family. Mita has big dreams for her daughter Pia and knows that the way to a secure future is admission in the most elite school of Delhi – “Delhi Grammar School”. Raise your hand if this sounds familiar.

Here begins the grueling process of training, rehearsals and research which reflect the reality of modern day education in South Asia. Dictated by the privileged schools have now become the big business – even among those who claim to be ‘prestigious’ and ‘public.’

Perhaps this is why Raj and Mita do everything to make the cut and yet, they fail. They are later told by a trainer that they can apply from the low-income quota as every school has 25% of the quota for less privileged students. Raj and Mita shift from their high-class locality to a poor neighborhood. Shyam Prakash (Deepak Dobriyal) now enters their lives. From there the entire direction of the film changes.

Hindi Medium is a winner from all angles.The performances and script are filled with emotion to appeal the masses packed with a strong message for society.

Irrfan Khan is an impeccable actor and has proved his mettle in international cinema as well. He portrays the character of Raj (a devoted husband with good heart) with brilliance, he is just so effortless and that’s where he wins the audience. Saba Qamar nails her debut. As one of the finest actors in Pakistan Qamar could not have asked for a meatier role in Bollywood. Deepak Dobriyal is the most underrated actors; he surprises audience with his innocence, happy-go-lucky persona and calculated performance.

There are other actors as well in extended cameos like Sanjay Suri, Neha Dhupia and Amrita Singh. Hindi Medium is a good entertainer and delivers a thoughtful, intelligent message.

Directed by: Saket Chaudhary

Starring: Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar and Deepak Dobriyal

Now playing at theaters in the Pakistan, India, UAE

4/5.