Chalk N Duster

As an interesting co-incidence, where 2015 began with a well- intentioned film TAKE IT EASY focusing on the stressed life of school kids and the role of parents in it creating some serious issues, 2016 begins with a similar message oriented film CHALK N DUSTER focusing on the stressed life of school teachers and their relationship with the students as well as the management - more interested in money instead of education. So where TAKE IT EASY dealt with psychological and emotional aspect of the subject, CHALK N DUSTER refers to the ethical and business aspect of the same involving the political as well as corporate section of the society revealing an ugly truth.

The second similarity between the two films remains that both the appreciable ventures are impressive and tacky in parts together, having some highly emotional sequences too making you feel for the key protagonists on screen playing all realistic characters. And unfortunately, the third similarity is, that neither TAKE IT EASY was seen by a big section of viewers, nor CHALK N DUSTER is likely to reach its actual target audience due to several debatable issues related with our personal choice of cinema, the blind (male) star-following and step-treatment of the exhibitors given to such sincere attempts.

Talking about CHALK N DUSTER individually, here is a film that has everything right and touching as far as its core important subject and leading performances are concerned. But the film certainly could have been much more impressive and moving with a better second half and another novel culmination instead of the lengthy clichéd climax showcasing a 'KBC' kind of quiz show hosted by Rishi Kapoor (playing a cameo).

It begins well with all decent sequences introducing a great cast ensemble of talented ladies namely Shabana Azmi, Zareena Wahab, Juhi Chawla, Divya Dutta, Richa Chadha and Upasana Singh. The pace never drops before intermission and you enjoy watching the clashes between its strong characters heading towards a loud volcanic outcome in the later reels. Plus the peak is rightly felt as Richa Chadha makes her entry as a journalist just along the text displayed on screen saying RECESS referring to the interval.

However, things do not turn out to be exciting enough as expected in the film's second half, in absence of any skillful execution and novel story progression making way for all routine seen before stuff instead of the much expected volcanic eruption in the heated clashes. The pace drops and the sequences turn out to be nothing fresh with a more than 15 minutes long climax as mentioned above.

Yet, thankfully the spirit remains the same as in the beginning and an extremely touching emotional quotient doesn't let you feel any repulsion watching the end proceedings probably with all moist eyes. Moreover such is the pull in all those rare facts shared in its finale that you remain engrossed throughout, despite knowing the truth that it's all going to end in the same predictable manner with the obvious win. For instance, the questions asked include, what is the meaning of KAUR used in Sikhism, what are the full forms of YAHOO & GOOGLE, what BRUCE LEE did in the initial stages of his career and more.

As the two leading teachers, both Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla excel as true teachers along with Zareena Wahab and Upasana Singh doing complete justice with their given characters as required. Divya Dutta playing the negative role does it well (without any actual depth given by the writers) but Richa Chadha is shockingly wasted in a role that could have been done by anyone with a pretty face (which is quite a shame!). In the male leads once again we have Jackie Shroff simply doing nothing significant in his few scenes and Aryan Babbar also remaining under-utilized as the partner in crime with Divya, whereas Rishi Kapoor is fine in his surprising cameo towards the end.

In totality, CHALK N DUSTER is an appreciable yet uneven project from director Jayant Gilatar. It has a decent camera-work, just okay dialogues but an interesting background score demanding attention at times. Besides I really liked the way the composer and sound designer treated the voice in songs describing the importance A GURU in our life using traditional verses. As per its script, the brief references of a teacher's personal life post the school hours work well whereas the clichéd melodrama around the illness and the finale quiz doesn't, that could have been dealt differently.

Having said that, there still cannot be any denial to the fact that this honest effort surely deserves to be applauded (to a large extent) ignoring all it's the major hiccups and average insertions, as (nowadays) Hindi Cinema rarely gets into such educating, realistic mode talking about our basic social problems and lack of moral values.

As an important film CHALK N DUSTER brings forward a scary issue wherein we are not actually taking good care of the most crucial and guiding figures of our lives, our school teachers displaying a flawed vision. The corporates are clearly considering 'Education' as another profit-oriented industry instead of a nation-building exercise and the teachers are openly treated as easily replaceable clerks without any individual importance or a contributing value.

Hence serving its purpose well, CHALK N DUSTER works at many levels giving a significant message and with such an inviting cast ensemble of all extremely talented ladies, its surely deserves to be given a chance by the thinking viewers.

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.

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 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