MOVIE REVIEW OF 'CHHALAANG'

 

The movie Chhalaang is produced by Luv Ranjan starring Nushrat Bharucha and Rajkumar Rao. Neelima (Neelu), a computer teacher is shown striking a blow for women rights, gender equality and sports in this movie. The film is set in a small town of Haryana. Mahendra's (Montu) father is a respected lawyer in this town who uses his influence to get a job for his son. Initially, he is shown as a slacker who eats samosas and drinks tea in the PT period rather than doing his actual job. He became a PT teacher because he couldn't become anything else in his life. (Personally, I also have heard this thing especially for teachers that "when you are not able to do any other job or you are bored at home, you become a teacher." I don't think this is the reality as when I was a child, I always dreamt of becoming a teacher and I finally I fulfilled my dream. So, people should stop thinking this as not anyone becomes a teacher easily. We face many hurdles.) Montu likes to spend the day in the company of his Guru, Professor Shukla who teaches Hindi. They both keep eating samosa and drink tea. In the evening, Montu accompanies his childhood friend Dimpy and both of them keep consuming alcohol in large amounts.

             Montu's life takes a turn when Neelu joins school as a computer teacher. At the same time, Inder Mohan Singh, another sports teacher gets appointed as Montu's senior. Inder and Neelu both know each other from the past and Montu has a crush on Neelu. Montu gets hurt when he comes to know that they both knew each other. He feels jealous and claims that he is a better sports teacher than Inder and challenges him for a competition. The winner would stay while the loser will resign. Now when the selection begins, Montu's younger brother is chosen in Inder's team. Montu is forced to choose the studious students including the girls. Neelu forces him to select girls as well. In the end, Montu's team wins despite the heavy odds.

         Inder is shown as a highly disciplined and motivated sports teacher who takes his job seriously. He is arrogant but later accepts defeat with grace. The message is conveyed in a playful, non-preachy manner that sports are as much important for the growth of children as studies and this should be inculcated right from the initial years.

(To watch the trailer of this movie, click on the word Chhalaang written in blue in the first line)