Review : ‘Baalbharti’ is for all ‘Balaks and Palaks’ whose dilemma is the medium of education!

In our #country, not much stress was put on #education hence the illiteracy rate has been high. There wasn’t a #political will to educate common people which culminated is slow progress of the #nation. Last few decades education has gained importance, especially in big cities and towns, but in smaller places things are needed to be improved. Again, English has procured a high place in working life and anyone without knowing it is considered #‘illiterate’.

But knowing English can not be a criteria to gauge intelligence. Most of the European countries and Asian countries like Japan and China have made huge progress in all fields, including science and technology, despite their population not knowing english. But in our country English, unnecessarily, gets prominent place and most of the parents want their children to study in English medium schools. Similar subject has been handled by writer-director Nitin Nandan in his latest marathi offering Baalbharti. The title is apt as Bharti is Lord Saraswati’s, the goddess of education, one of the names. The director also showcases the middle class parent’s psychology of children get better education only in English language. He doesn’t preach anything and leave the decision to the viewers.

Rahul Desai (Siddharth Jadhav), a diploma holder in electrical and electronic engineering who runs a small electrical and electronics equipment’s repairing shop, stays with his family comprising of his wife (Nandita Patkar), mother (Usha Naik) and Chinmay (Aaryan Menghji). Chinmay studies in a marathi medium school and is talented. He is interested science and keeps discovering many things though his innovative gadgets which he himself makes. In a turn of events Rahul realises that not knowing english is hindrance to progress in business and decides to not let that happen to his son in future. He takes a decision to enrol his son midway in an English medium school thinking that that’ll brighten his future. Chinmay though clever otherwise finds it difficult to cope up with the new school and surroundings where he is ridiculed for not knowing and speaking conversational English. In his earlier school, an ex-student (Abhijit Khandkekar) now settled in the US, volunteers to help overcome the interiority complex of vernacular medium school children. Resultantly Aaryan friends from earlier school get confidence in speaking English. After a lot of twists and turns how Desai family realises their flaw is the crux of the narration.

The subject of the film is very topical as most of the Marathi medium educated students are afraid to venture out to converse in English. The screenplay is tad slow but never deviates from the main subject. Dialogues are very good especially the lyrical ones. The director puts forth his point of view subtly but effectively. He has used songs to further his point and the lyrics are noteworthy. Music is good but the production values should have been more sleeker. Baalbharti scores in acting department as everyone has done their job convincingly. Siddharth Jadhav has been successful to brush away his image of a comedic actor and scores big in emotional scenes. He has displayed more restraint in playing a loving father who only wants his son not to lag behind in life. In a self slapping scene he emotes beautifully displaying multiple sentiments. Nandita Patkar’s mother is very good too. She lends solid support to Siddharth. Though having lesser screen times, Ravindra Mankani, Usha Naik and Abhijit Khandkekar are noticeable in their portrayals. Child artist Aaryan Menghji is natural and gives another beautiful performance after his last film Baba.

Baalbharti is for all ‘Balaks and Palaks’ whose dilemma is the medium of education.

Rating : ***