“Hichki” is one of the nicest Hindi movies I’ve seen in a long time. When movies like “Hichki” come your way, it is like a breath of fresh air from the tiresome sub-standard Bollywood masala films.
The Plot
Naina Mathur is plagued with the incurable Tourette Syndrome from childhood. It is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterised by sudden, repetitive, non-rhythmic movements and utterances that involve discrete muscle groups.
Unlike stammering, stuttering, slurring or lisping, people with the Tourette Syndrome have no control over their sudden speech outbursts even when they do not utter a single word. Fortunately, the Tourette Syndrome does not affect intelligence or the life-expectancy of a person.
The movie is centred around Naina Mathur and her struggles in finding acceptance in the mainstream society. She is exceptionally intelligent and dreams of becoming a teacher despite her condition. There are other sub-plots in the movie as well, revolving around the characters she encounters at her workplace or school.
“Hichki” is an adaption of the movie “Front of the Class” which is again based on a book by the same name written by Brad Cohen and Lisa Wysocky.
What Works
The character of Naina Mathur is wonderfully etched and ably portrayed by Rani Mukerji. Naina’s character will appeal to everyone because of her positive and resilient attitude. It’s interesting to note that Naina Mathur does not see the Tourette Syndrome as something which is abnormal or even a disability in the first place. That, I think, works in favour of the movie.
Naina Mathur’s quiet confidence in her abilities is shown to us right from the start. In the classrooms, where she is admonished by her teachers and mocked at by her classmates, she holds her ground and stands like a rock. Nothing seems to shake her confidence. At every opportunity given, she makes no bones about telling people why she is the way she is – the Tourette Syndrome.
I loved the scene where she tells the principal (Mr Khan) quite matter-of-factly about her condition, her problems in the classroom and how she wishes that she was treated normally just like the other students.
It teaches us the important lesson that unless we stand up for ourselves, no one else will. All change begins from within. Rejections and failures don’t deter Naina’s spirit. There are only two crucial points in the movie where Naina wishes that she never had the Tourette Syndrome. The first scene is portrayed by the child actor who plays Naina and the second scene is portrayed by Rani Mukerji. It is the external circumstances which drive her to the point of breakdown and makes her rue her condition. But, Naina is made of steel and bounces back stronger.
Rani Mukerji is back and how! It’s a treat watching her on the silver screen. She proves that neither marital status nor motherhood can deter one’s talent and box-office success. Yes, she has aged and cannot be compared to 20-something actresses anymore. But, she looks great for a 40-year-old woman, and more importantly, she is a fine actress. Rani infuses oodles of charm to the character of Naina Mathur and makes her endearing and inspiring. If Rani Mukerji keeps going forward with the same momentum, she will surely be remembered as one of the finest and most respected Indian actors of all time.
In a movie that is focussed on Rani Mukerji, it is quite easy to ignore or minimise the role of the supporting cast – but not in “Hichki”! An excellent group of actors support Rani – her parents played by real-life couple Sachin and Supriya Pilgaonkar, Mr Khan by Vikram Gokhale, the principal by Shivkumar Subramaniam, a fellow class teacher by Neeraj Kabi, the school peon by Asif Basra and the students. The movie is a wonderful testimony of how everyone can shine brilliantly next to each other under the sun.
The movie tries to dispel the preconceived notions and myths of the normal. There is a scene in the movie where Naina gets rejected at a job interview by the principal for her speech disability. She retorts that if it were for her, he would never have been hired in the first place as a principal for his reasoning disability.
The movie holds a mirror to the modern-day education system in India. Having worked briefly as a college teacher, I can vouch for the fact that the movie is an accurate reflection of the current reality – the politics amongst the class teachers, the subtle discrimination between privileged and poor students, the halo effect around the ‘class achievers’, the gross neglect of the weaker students, lack of respect and trust between teachers and students, bullying and more.
The movie is not about Rani Mukerji’s ‘hichki’ alone; it’s also about the ‘hichki’ of every character in the movie. It is a sweet irony that Naina Mathur plays the role a saviour who helps the other characters in the movie overcome all their ‘hichkis’. The movie shows us how truth and positivity have cascading effects on everyone. Naina brings the greatness in the people around her, and thereby, the entire ethos of the school.
Few other quick facts that work in the movie’s favour. The movie is highly engaging, spirited, moving and well-directed. The song “Phir kya hai gham” captures the soul and essence of the movie. Thankfully, there are no forced romantic sub-plots or love triangles between Naina and another class teacher or anyon else. No mandatory saree dress code for female teachers. Big thumbs up!
What Could Be Better
“Hichki” has a few minor flaws. The fact that the principal listens to a newly appointed teacher (Naina Mathur) as opposed to the other teachers is unbelievable. As is the complete turnaround of the racist class teacher at the end! It doesn’t quite work like that in real life – at least, not as easily as depicted in the movie. But, considering that it is a film with a timeline and message, one can easily overlook these minor flaws.
Conclusion
“Hichki” is a good family entertainer. It is, in particular, a must-watch for students and educators for its lessons on empathy and the powerful impact that a teacher has on the students’ morale and self-esteem.
I strongly recommend watching this movie on the big screen for its uplifting story and sensitive performances.
Did you watch “Hichki”? How did you like it? I would love to read your comments.
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