Chalk N Duster

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

An attempt to show "teachers' role" and their reputation and their state in the society... A Great Presentation Totally non-commercial movie, or a masala movie...

A movie, touching the reality... Well made tightly bound clean movie. Acting from each and every part in the movie is so beautiful and to the point that you don't dare to miss a single scene...

A movie for everyone... Must watch...

It was treat to eyes, seeing acting from Girish Karnad, Shabana Azmi, Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta...

I wish all the best to the movie makers... Great work, Kudos...

And, such movies doesn't need fake publicity

The movie has an awesome message. Issue in our modern society now a days that is needed to be addressed. Rather than giving respect to our teachers and their way of teaching we are always looking ahead in this race of life. We keep ignoring those who molded us in a perfect way to face the hardships of life and to face them head on.

I really appreciate the writer for looking in the issue and will really recommend it to watch at least once. Especially have your children watch the movie as it will be a really special message for them. It will be a nice boost for the younger generation and help them in understanding the worth of the teachers and how hard it is for them to survive in today's race.

I hope we can respect our teachers and always love them in the way they deserve it and do something to make their lives easier. In short an awesome message in the movie.

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.

The movie is all about our educational system culture which has unfortunately been turned into a money making business. The writer and director has done a reasonable job to convince the audience of the importance of such a sensitive yet interesting subject. The casting combo of Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla proved worth a watch and both of them have done a good job by maintaining a reasonable balance in their acting. Divya Dutta has also done a fair job in a negative role. However, there are sequences which made the movie a bit clumsy and boring in the second half. However, the director makes few effective maneuvers to turn it back on the track. Such movies are really important to impart a psychology in the minds of our young children that how important are teachers in their life and the whole society. Despite of bitter circumstances, hardships and difficulties, they (teachers) are determined to deliver their best selflessly and this makes them to deserve respect from all. The film may not earn a commercial response yet it deserves to be watched once. Hail your teachers and love them is the movie subject which has been transmitted very well.