Movie Review-Angrezi Medium: An emotional and happy ride

Nonika Singh

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What would a father not do to make his daughter realise her dream! Perhaps, we all, both as parents and children, know the answer to this query. Only Homi Adajania lends this simple premise many hues; heart-warming, funny, touching, even ludicrous yet relatable. Set in Udaipur, Taarika Bansal, born to a traditional family of halwais, aspires to study in the UK. Tall order… not so much. Her school provides her the opportunity. Only her father, a simpleton Champak Ghasitaram Bansal, in a rare moment of foolhardy audacity, messes it up. But can a father ever go back on his promise; more importantly see his daughter crestfallen?

Thus begins the quest for a seat in a university. Sure enough, pre- interval, a tad too many twists, especially the airport fiasco, are so blatantly predictable and not even half as enjoyable. Conjectures abound. Despite the clever writing, a political jibe on politicians and the state of MLAs is so apt, laughs don’t come easily either. But surprisingly, the best part is reserved for the second half. Once the duo, not just the father-daughter, but more importantly Champak and his brother-like friend Gopi, land in London, the drama and the fun truly begin. Of course, adding to the merriment is Pankaj Tripathi, who spices up things as only he can, even in a bit part of Dubai-based travel agent. Dimple Kapadia and Kareena Kapoor Khan in short cameos make their presence felt and energise the narrative, making it all eminently watchable. Dimple Kapadia may have aged but clearly has not lost any of her sassiness. Kareena looks beautiful and delivers her cop act with a flourish. Of course, the real drivers here are the baap beti. Irrfan with impeccable Rajasthani dialect doesn’t let you forget even for a moment that he is anything but this doting father and man of simple but laudable beliefs. If his comic timing, especially the play of Urdu words while masquerading as Pakistani, is perfect, the emotional quotient is both compelling and stirring. Radhika Madan is equally competent. As a young girl, who wants to fly away and see the world, who wants her freedom, and above all as the daughter who cherishes her relationship with her father, she is a delight.

And can Deepak Dobriyal as the all-weather friend Gopi be anything but not delightful! In a part that is almost parallel to the father-daughter duo, if in the daytime he fights cases with his buddy Champak, under the influence of liquor he is a different man, ready to reveal the innermost secrets. At heart as in Hindi Medium, so here, he is a good Samaritan, the kind perhaps we only see in small towns, ready to sacrifice his happiness for the sake of others. Unlike the earlier franchise, Hindi Medium, which was also an indictment of our education system, Adajania keeps the film squarely on emotional turf. Yes, values are packed in. The finale may try to teach a thing or two to Indian students obsessed with phoren degrees. But beyond lessons/messages, this is a film that presents father-daughter bond as it exists in real life. Overly concerned, sneakily packing away her revealing clothes, watching over her male class fellows, which father has not experienced the pangs of a growing up daughter? Daughter seeking and demanding her space is adorable too.

Whatever may be the jhols in the narrative, you are likely to walk out of theatres with your heart full of gratitude, smiling and teary-eyed. In nutshell, it will make you, “emotional inside and happy outside”. Rejoice in the good old family values and, of course, the sheer brilliance of Irrfan.