Chalk N Duster

Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla star in this light school drama which aims to address the challenges and difficulties of school teachers, who never get their due, who are underpaid and underappreciated. Indeed, the premise is very interesting, and the idea of a film set in a school. But sadly, despite a good foundation, the execution is very poor, and the direction is not very good. Some of the characters are just caricatures. Chawla and Azmi are very good in their roles. Azmi is particularly good as the devoted teacher, but then both are let down by the script. Similarly, Divya Dutta, who is a good actress, gets a role which is so stereotypical that she ends up looking stiff and unintentionally hilarious as the cruel principal. There film does have its moments and it's not a complete waste of time, but I wish these talented actresses were given better material to work with.

The early 90's of Bollywood was ruled by gorgeous and talented Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla,Karisma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon who set the screen on fire with their charisma and versatility in acting. If 90's has shades of commercial actors, the art-house cinema was creating strong impact with Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das and Konkono Sen Sharma ruling the roaster. Chalk N Duster brings the actors together from both world and gives you a well-intentioned well film but is mowed down by weak script.

Chalk N Duster tells the story of school teachers in a modern Kantaben High School. The school is governed by a Hitler-like principal (played by Divya Dutta) whose ultimate motto is to make money and bring in new teachers. In order to achieve this, she starts torturing the existing teachers. Things gets out of hand, when one of the Maths teacher (played by Shabana Azmi) is terminated and succumbs to the false allegations. Her fellow teacher and friend (played by Juhi Chawla) fights back with the school authority and hatches a plan to bring justice.

Directed by Jayant Gilatar, Chalk N Duster takes some times to build on you. As the title suggest, you watch the film thinking about the story on education, studies and students. Unfortunately, the film bores you with petty politics played in the premises of the school. The constant nagging between principal and teacher, the fight for equality and justice is non-stop and the melodrama will sag you down. Surprisingly, the film boast of some talents like Girish Karnad, Richa Chadha and Rishi Kapoor who comes to the rescue to the melodrama. None of the songs are good. Editing is below the par. Cinematography is average. Art direction is poor. However, what works is the timely and enduring performances by ‪Juhi Chawla‬ and ‪‎Shabana Azmi‬. Both the actors play their part perfectly.

On the whole, Chalk N Duster has right heart in place but lousy direction and lose screenplay will disappoint you.

• Ketan Gupta

A good movie based off of the lives and struggles of our teachers. Definitely worth a watch.

Chalk & Duster The age old injustice done to teachers ! Teachers should be the most pampered of all employees! Once the teachers, who actually sculpt our future, are happy, the happiness of the rest of the nation will automatically be taken care of!

When a teacher imparts knowledge, along with the information stored in the books, the personality of the teacher too gets imbibed by his/her students.

Thus it is most important that teachers possess a strong and positive, optimistic and happy disposition.

Film shows how schools are speedily turning into business centers! The teachers are unconfident to speak up against corrupt administrators because of fear of losing jobs! If teachers are so unconfident ... what is expected from students?!

Private school teachers are paid lesser but they have to put in double the effort – to keep up with the competition of neighbouring schools!

On the other hand, it was also shown that Municipality schools run by the Government are not good enough and parents are reluctant to get their wards admitted to Govt. schools! Immediate attention should be given towards raising the standards of Govt. schools so that both parents and teachers get the confidence of joining such schools.

It is because teachers get a raw deal that some of them take private tuitions and force the students to join their batches..this gives rise to hatred & animosity towards teachers! Not every student belongs to a rich family that can afford expensive after-school tuitions – by forcing students to join private tuitions and failing them during exams just because he/she did not join the tuition course is a devastating experience for both the student and his parents! Such shocking experiences since childhood does not allow the development of a confident & positive personality ...and as a result the entire nation suffers because of negative, unconfident & pessimistic citizens!

Teaching is a noble profession – but is this how the teachers should be treated? Is this how nobility is paid back?

Every parents, their children and than every teacher and their students must watch this movie. A must see for entire society, that how teachers suffers at work place, the so called noble profession isn't noble towards teachers.