The controversy over the film "Aarakshan" is somewhat misplaced in my view - simply because the movie is hardly about the issue of setting aside a portion of educational seats or government jobs as the media and politicians would have you believe. Instead, it raises an issue that we all know and yet seem powerless to do anything about, the education of India's masses. If TZP was about ensuring that children with disabilities got the right kind of attention, and 3 Idiots was about getting everyone to live their dreams and not just study to get a degree, then "Aarakshan" is about the bitter truth that the very process of education in India has become capitalized and privatized, seemingly influenced by the spirit of economic reforms that have been around for two decades.
That's not to say that there is no mention of reservation - the movie starts with Saif ali Khan attempting to get a job in college and being belittled by the interviewers for his background and the fact that they need a candidate with a certain pedigree to teach the "high class" students who attend that college. Saif is the golden eyed boy of Amitabh Bachchan, the principal of a (private) college who nevertheless has taken it upon himself to teach for free underprivileged students from backwards communities. Saif also happens to be a Dalit, which is an unfortunate casting choice since, apart from his role in "Omkara", he has always looked a child of privilege. He is also quite fond of Amitabh's daughter Deepika Padukone, another unfortunate casting choice, since not only can she not act, but she is also taller than him.
Anyway, the story then turns to the Mandal commission implementation and how a bunch of students storm the gates of the college and demand admission. A battle breaks out between the existing student body, mostly upper castes, and the invaders, with each one accusing the other of unjustly robbing the other of what is rightfully theirs. While Saif attempts to play peacemaker, Prateik is a high caste spoilt rich kid who suddenly feels threatened by these outcasts who come into the college. Enter Manoj Bajpai, who as vice principal of the school has a vested interest in not coming to class but instead investing in his chain of coaching centers. He sees the potential to milk the students of his college by forcing them to come to expensive tuitions on top of the huge fees that they pay. He is also extremely disdainful of the lower caste students, claiming they are like parasites, which obviously makes him the mortal enemy of both Saif and Amitabh. Bajpai does another outstanding acting job, and you really hate him in the film because of the slick way in which he manipulates the board of the college to throw out Amitabh Bachchan, and then even takes over his house and converts it into a coaching center, the ultimate insult.
By now, Saif is doing his PhD abroad, when he sees the news about Amitabh's ouster and calls Deepika - she breaks down and in typical Hindi movie style he rushes back to be by her side and also to help Amitabh recover what he has lost. Prateik has also had a change of heart and he realizes that educating the underprivileged is the true cause and so he joins up with Saif and they start running a coaching center in parallel with what Amitabh has already setup. The selflessness of education is on full display here as students are taught to think for themselves as opposed to the rote learning that is being dished out by Bajpai's coaching classes. A number of parents bring their children to Amitabh saying that they would prefer that he teach them and he welcomes them. But, in a flashback to "Lagaan", the parents express reservations (!) about their children having to learn along side those from a lower class. Amitabh draws himself up to his full height and delivers a stern rebuke, which is perhaps the most powerful scene in the movie.
Of course, Manoj Bajpai is not impressed that his adversary is gaining the upper hand and tries all kinds of tricks to shut down Amitabh, including a forced eviction notice. The climax of the movie is true to Bollywood's penchant for melodrama, with a row of demolition vehicles on one side facing off against hundreds of students who have come to stand by their beloved guru. Enter Hema Malini in a guest appearance as the founder of the college where Amitabh was the Principal - she clearly does not like what is going on and puts an end to Bajpai's nefarious plans by suggesting that he carted off to a mental asylum (the poor fellow is ranting and raving at this time). So all's well in the world again - Amitabh is restored to his former glory, students from all walks of life can attend college and get a great education, and Saif and Deepika presumably go off and get married.
And now, back to the real world.....
That's not to say that there is no mention of reservation - the movie starts with Saif ali Khan attempting to get a job in college and being belittled by the interviewers for his background and the fact that they need a candidate with a certain pedigree to teach the "high class" students who attend that college. Saif is the golden eyed boy of Amitabh Bachchan, the principal of a (private) college who nevertheless has taken it upon himself to teach for free underprivileged students from backwards communities. Saif also happens to be a Dalit, which is an unfortunate casting choice since, apart from his role in "Omkara", he has always looked a child of privilege. He is also quite fond of Amitabh's daughter Deepika Padukone, another unfortunate casting choice, since not only can she not act, but she is also taller than him.
Anyway, the story then turns to the Mandal commission implementation and how a bunch of students storm the gates of the college and demand admission. A battle breaks out between the existing student body, mostly upper castes, and the invaders, with each one accusing the other of unjustly robbing the other of what is rightfully theirs. While Saif attempts to play peacemaker, Prateik is a high caste spoilt rich kid who suddenly feels threatened by these outcasts who come into the college. Enter Manoj Bajpai, who as vice principal of the school has a vested interest in not coming to class but instead investing in his chain of coaching centers. He sees the potential to milk the students of his college by forcing them to come to expensive tuitions on top of the huge fees that they pay. He is also extremely disdainful of the lower caste students, claiming they are like parasites, which obviously makes him the mortal enemy of both Saif and Amitabh. Bajpai does another outstanding acting job, and you really hate him in the film because of the slick way in which he manipulates the board of the college to throw out Amitabh Bachchan, and then even takes over his house and converts it into a coaching center, the ultimate insult.
By now, Saif is doing his PhD abroad, when he sees the news about Amitabh's ouster and calls Deepika - she breaks down and in typical Hindi movie style he rushes back to be by her side and also to help Amitabh recover what he has lost. Prateik has also had a change of heart and he realizes that educating the underprivileged is the true cause and so he joins up with Saif and they start running a coaching center in parallel with what Amitabh has already setup. The selflessness of education is on full display here as students are taught to think for themselves as opposed to the rote learning that is being dished out by Bajpai's coaching classes. A number of parents bring their children to Amitabh saying that they would prefer that he teach them and he welcomes them. But, in a flashback to "Lagaan", the parents express reservations (!) about their children having to learn along side those from a lower class. Amitabh draws himself up to his full height and delivers a stern rebuke, which is perhaps the most powerful scene in the movie.
Of course, Manoj Bajpai is not impressed that his adversary is gaining the upper hand and tries all kinds of tricks to shut down Amitabh, including a forced eviction notice. The climax of the movie is true to Bollywood's penchant for melodrama, with a row of demolition vehicles on one side facing off against hundreds of students who have come to stand by their beloved guru. Enter Hema Malini in a guest appearance as the founder of the college where Amitabh was the Principal - she clearly does not like what is going on and puts an end to Bajpai's nefarious plans by suggesting that he carted off to a mental asylum (the poor fellow is ranting and raving at this time). So all's well in the world again - Amitabh is restored to his former glory, students from all walks of life can attend college and get a great education, and Saif and Deepika presumably go off and get married.
And now, back to the real world.....
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