Chanda, une mère indienne

A film that released in April 2016 back home. Even though I so wanted to view it, could not get the chance then. But then, as they say all good things come to those who wait. Managed to see it recently. Revolving around a mother-daughter duo, this simple story has taken on itself the job of answering so many questions that we face in our very own lives and seldom challenge ourselves to find the answers to.

Swara-BhaskarThe ever talented #SwaraBhaskar plays a single mother, uneducated and someone who moves earth and skies to make ends meet. A sweet girl called Riya Shukla plays her 10th Class daughter.

For every parent, their child is always the dearest to them. Then why does this very child become an irritant at times, with the passing years? Why do we lose our cool every now and then, with the same child we were swooning about? The film has tried to identify and portray this transition and maybe also provide answers to the viewers.

Personally, I feel there is a very thin line which defines the relation. And on crossing the same its no more a parent and child relationship. It becomes a relationship between two human beings. And along with that comes jealousy, competition, opposition and One-upmanship. Sounds bad right? Dwelve within to discover where you stand. No one comes clean, maybe not even me.

But the answer lies in sticking behind the line, on your side. And its only through your experience and wisdom, can you possibly identify it.

Its a great story of a mother challenging her own self to change her daughter's destiny. A journey of not just change, but also self-discovery. A journey of endless possibilities which are awaiting to be tapped by those who dare and those who try.

Amazing portrayal by all. Swara is a great performer, as always. Supported aptly by Riya, who herself has done a fantastic job. Very natural. And then we have the talented Ratna Pathak Shah and Pankaj Tripathi. The film packages various emotions from your childhood days (best recalled by those who did schooling in 1970s and 1980s). Found shades from my nostalgic past to enliven my thoughts and emotions.

Great job Ahwiny Iyer Tiwari! Loved the movie and will look forward to more gems from your side in the future.

View it. Get the DVD home and see how easily the message transcends across generations. •Rajesh Sharma •@rajrad

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.

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.

First stand and clap for what the movie tried to do this movie showed the value of dreams (which is the most democratic thing in this world cause everyone can dream and as it is said it is a crime to dream small,dream as big as you can and work for it and dreams do come true ) just brilliant if you see the mom wishing his daughter to have a dream it is the most real thing I have watched in a while. It is very easy to just accept your destiny but i takes real guts to dream beyond your limitations the collector shown in the movie is the person I want to become because the people who strive their way are the ones who know the value of their place and encourage everyone to really dream and change life of your own and people around you who are working so that you can surpass them as it said in this movie "Khud gaaadi chalyega to apne maa baap ko gaadi me kb ghumayega"

FAVOURITE CHARACTER :: Swara (brilliant acting) FAVOURITE MOMENT :: the last dialogues behind the Taj Mahal (signifying how different is life at the other side and they are fighting to get to the other side)

The acting was superb, direction and the screenplay was good too. The movie was so realistic unlike most of the school based movies, this was centered in a govt school where most of the India get educated. The movie is an inspiration for people with few resources and high hopes and dreams. It will motivate you to walk that extra mile to achieve your dreams. The movie is also an answer to those who always blame their fortune, financial status and let them come in between them and their dreams. The film also shows the eternal love of a mother towards her child and how she sacrifices her life to provide her child with all the comfort which she herself was deprived from. I loved the setting of this movie. It felt so realistic and beautiful. Plus the characters were so inspiring like the math genius Amar and the District collector. The sad part is these kinda movies don't make much in the box office. The audience prefer crap like prdp, wanted, dabangg. Movies with no moral and no sense at all. I hope makers of this, masaan, manjhi, gangs of wasseyur don't stop making these for they don' make enough in the box office. because someone has to keep making these to keep our faith alive in Bollywood.