Even before the child reaches a school-going age, the parents would have thought it all out: in what school do they want their child to be, whether its fees would fit their budget, how they would arrange for the same and so on. Basically, getting a child into a good school sometimes proves to be a nightmare for the parents. And that is what Irrfan Khan starring Hindi Medium is all about.

A middle class family struggling to get their child into an elite school is not something new in our society, but it surely is a topic that is less talked upon. It can be said that parents going through a lot of struggle mentally, physically and economically to get their child into a good school is what is accepted by both the society and the education system. What is most ironic is how parents are suffering to get their child learn proper English sh which is aptly mentioned in the movie as- “English is not just another language in India but it is a CLASS in itself”.

In the movie, Irrfan Khan plays the role of Raj Batra, who is a well-settled businessman from Chandi Chowk who may have the capability of owning a BMW but his only fall back is that he does not know fluent English. Saba Qamar plays the role of his wife who prefers everything high-class. The roller-coaster ride that the couple experiences while getting their daughter into an “English-medium” elite school is what makes the movie stand out from the rest of the content that Bollywood comes up with.

If you are a parent and watching this movie, there would be many points in the movie, which would make you think, “Yes, that’s the truth.” The film has the ability to act as an eye-opener for officials in the education industry. It has a very subtle way of mirroring the realities and hence makes a good yet light watch. The story shows aspirations of the parents, deceit they face, inspiration and much more- everything that a parent would go through while getting their child in a prestigious school. Basically what stands out here is their dreams attached to the same.

Here are few things that a parent should keep in mind before they suffer or make their child’s life a suffering.

• Sure in today’s world English is important, but so is your own mother tongue. It should not be neglected.
• English is not the only parameter to decide one’s intelligence. See around your own environment and you will find enough examples to prove it.
• Go for English, but don’t let your kids have superiority complex in life just because they know English over those who have poor English. This is because the same superiority complex will one day come back to your own face.
• Teach them good moral values like humility, respecting elders, your own culture and history of this nation.
• Don’t overreact to the kind of school other kids in your circle are going.
• Learn from other nations like China, Germany, France, etc., where they take pride in their language.
• English is very important as it is global language, but definitely not at the expense of tradition, culture and your own peace of mind.
• Learn English as a tool to a get good job or success in business, but not as an aspiration in life.
• A kid developed in a peaceful Hinglish medium would have a much better life than a kid developed in a stressful English only environment.
• Understand your kid’s aptitude and then take any decision. Don’t force anything. Let them do whatever they want to and however they want to.

The movie has many hidden lessons from which today’s parents can learn. This makes the movie so likeable and watchable is because it is relatable in more than one way. We can only hope that Bollywood comes up with more such movies and they make an impact on the society.