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Everyone has dreams which basically creates a purpose in life in order to achieve your dream. You need to believe in your dreams, cherish and protect them and make sure nobody takes it away from you. "Nil Battey Sannata", meaning 'knowing nothing', talks about dream a mother has for her child. The riveting drama was felicitated at Silk Road International Film Festival which is an equivalent to Oscar awards in China where Swara Bhaskar won the Best Actress Award. So, is "Nil Battey Sannata" worth your time and money ? Well, let us find out..

"Nil Battey Sannata" is a coming-of-age drama of Apu (Ria Shukla) who finally grows up to become a IPS officer after her mother Chanda (Swara Bhaskar) sacrifices and struggles in her journey of motherhood to make sure she lives her dream of giving Apu a bright future.

Directed by debutant Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, "Nil Battey Sannata" is a sparkling film in every context. Right from the beginning of the film, you will be completely engrossed into the beautiful tale of mother and her struggle to keep her dreams alive. Blended with sarcasm and light moments, the film is a powerful drama which will help you sail it through 2 hours without getting bored. Told in a subtle manner, it is the simplicity of narration which is the highlight of the film and you will cherish each and every frame. There are no glossy sets, colorful costumes over-the-tone melodrama yet the film is entertaining and will keep you glued throughout. The screenplay is pivotal defines each and every characters to the core. Couple of scenes do stand out in the first half. The first scene at the school where the students gets punished for violating the rules of the school, the scene where the Pankaj Tripathi is surprised after Ratna Pathaka convinces Swara Bhaskar to join as student and the scene at Collector's house between Swara Bhaskar and guards are hilarious. Hats off to Ashwini Iyer Tiwari for standing out in her first film itself. She definitely has the merits to go long with her impeccable direction.

On the flip side, the climax is predictable and could have made it more appealing but the enduring performances by the star cast will leave you satisfied in the end. Music, generally used in background, is tuneful and gels well with the mood of the film. Cinematography is spellbinding capturing the essence of Agra in its beautiful frame. Art direction is brilliant. Dialogues are punching.

Performance wise, Swara Bhaskar steals the thunder with her electrifying performance. The "Tanu Weds Manu" actor is just growing better with each film. Surprisingly, this is her first film as a lead and she has displayed matured acting. Watch for her. She definitely has long way to go. Pankaj Tripathi and Ratna Pathak are brilliant as usual. Ria Shukla does well in her role.

Overall, "Nil Battey Sannata" is a feel-good cinema with a strong and captivating message. Do yourself a favor – Watch "Nil Battey Sannata" to get inspired and motivated. Excellent 4/5

– Ketan Gupta

Generally light and nice this movie has received positive reviews. Amongst the few reasons to watch is the direction and acting talent at show by Swara Bhaskar and Ratna Pathak Shah. After a recent release its an extreme delight to see actors like Ratna Pathak Shah playing again. Exceptional talent here displayed by both actors. The movie has an usual story of a woman struggling seeking to educate her daughter earn a respectable life different from her own. Although there is no melodrama there are scenes in the movie good enough to stir your emotions in every possible way. The scenes such as the one where Chanda is taken to meet the school headmaster are one amongst the ones really appreciating.

Films with a social message are usually loud and boring. Nil Battey Sannata is a glorious exception. It is a very engaging film on girls' education.

Chanda Sahay has big dreams for her daughter Apu and toils daily as a housemaid and does odd jobs in various sweat shops. On the other hand, Apu who is in class 10 is least interested in school and keeps repeating that her ambition is to become a Bai like her mother. Mother and daughter constantly bicker over this. Chanda's employer, the kind and wise Dr Deewan (Ratna Phatak Shah), comes up with an artful plan and gets Chanda admitted to the same class as Apu. This leads to even more friction and a bit of competition between mother and daughter. Their weakness is maths and a boy, suitably looking nerdy in thick glasses, helps them get over their fear with some astonishing mnemonics.

There are plenty of emotion charged scenes, and if you find your eyes getting wet, it is not because the film is manipulative but because of brilliant scripting and endearing performances. Swara Bhaskar as Chanda and Riya Shukla as Apu are both excellent. Pankaj Tripathi's comically stern principal is a splendid cameo.

The title of the film literally means zero divided by zero and is a local idiom for an idiot. There are a couple of irritants, which I don't want to pick on in what is essentially a very heartwarming and feel-good film. I would recommend that you take along your domestic helps to watch it.

This film coming from a too much commercialized Bollywood is a pleasant surprise. Well crafted script and good direction and excellent performance from the lead actress makes it a memorable movie.

It portrays beautifully the dreams of a widow mother about her only daughter and her fight using limited capabilities to achieve the same.

Swara bhasker as mother of a teenager did an excellent job and it is hard to believe that it is her first movie in a lead role.

Director has also succeeded in getting the natural performance from theyoung artist's. performance of supporting cast is also good especiallythe head master.

With this film Director Ashwini Iyer tripathi can pull a chair and sitin the front row of current Bollywood directors.

This film has got a message which is important for north Indian villages. For sure this film will bring tears at least once while watching it.

Nil Battey Sannata which means good for nothing and thats how the movie describes about one of main characters Apeksha played wonderfully by debutant Riya Shukla.

Apeksha which means expectation but unfortunately the girl has no dreams or expectations with life. Her belief is that her mother Chanda is a servant and she will also become a servant like her mother as her mother has no money to educate her for higher studies. And when she ends up getting poor grades in maths, Chanda joins her class as a student and challenge her to study.

What i really loved about this movie is the director and writer show reality in the film. It not hard hitting but a fact of life. Chanda does multiple jobs to sustain her family. We don't know much about her husband and yet inspite of all troubles, she wants to educate her daughter and make her a doctor or engineer. I liked the scene where she gets noodles to celebrate her daughter's success.

Yet when her daughter is doing badly in Maths, she re-joins school and becomes a competitor to her daughter. When he daughter breaks the bet, she decides to teach her daughter a lesson.

As for her daughter, Apeksha, she is the least bothered kid who just wants to waste time and has no dream and ambition. She is selfish and fails to see her mother's sacrifices.

There is also a nice part in the movie where Chanda accidentally meets the District Collector and stalks him wanting to know how he became one.

Also, the chats between Chanda and one of her employers, a doctor are nicely written.

Swara Bhaskar dons the role of Chanda with ease and confidence. Even with the age against here..she is pulls of a brilliant performance. Its high time that the Chopras and Johars give her a chance in big commercial projects.

New comer Riya is another star in the making and we should watch out for her.

Ratna Pathak Shah who plays the doctor and Vishal Nath who plays Chanda and Apeksha's geeky classmate do commendable jobs.

And finally there is Pankaj Tripathi who plays the school principal. He is one hell of an actor who makes the character look serious and well as funny. He doesn't make it a caricature. The one scene he stands out is in the beginning of the film where the new academic year has started and the assembly is going on.

The movie teaches a few lessons about life and yet it never becomes preachy or emotional. And thats its strength. This movie should be watched by parents and children together.