Review By Kamal K
A poor rickshaw puller in Ranchi aspires to educate his son in an elite CBSE school. "Your sarkaari school wont take anywhere in life", he keeps warning his son. The film then focuses on the challenges and obstacles faced by this father and the heavy price he eventually pays to achieve his dream.
Quite simplistic in approach, Pareeksha subtly explores the class divide as well as the political rot plaguing the education system. Jha invests considerable time to highlight how the IB schools restrict themselves to rich students only and even the RTE act is sometimes not followed in spirit..
On the flipside, the film doesn't delve deeper in to the "acceptability" factor the gareeb kid would face when he manages to secure admission in an elite school. The transition from a teacher and few classmates deriding him to his universal acceptance as a scholar appears too hurried here.
Back to the positive, the performances are first rate. Adil Hussain is simply outstanding in the lead role. Priyanka Bose playing his wife and newcomer Shubham as the son are also fantastic. Particularly, Shubham's climactic monologue stays with you long after the movie is over. Sanjay Suri is a pleasure to watch in his small role.
Pareeksha is a heartwarming film with an inspiring message. If you can ignore it's slightly sluggish pace, it can be a pleasant weekend watch with family!!
A poor rickshaw puller in Ranchi aspires to educate his son in an elite CBSE school. "Your sarkaari school wont take anywhere in life", he keeps warning his son. The film then focuses on the challenges and obstacles faced by this father and the heavy price he eventually pays to achieve his dream.
Quite simplistic in approach, Pareeksha subtly explores the class divide as well as the political rot plaguing the education system. Jha invests considerable time to highlight how the IB schools restrict themselves to rich students only and even the RTE act is sometimes not followed in spirit..
On the flipside, the film doesn't delve deeper in to the "acceptability" factor the gareeb kid would face when he manages to secure admission in an elite school. The transition from a teacher and few classmates deriding him to his universal acceptance as a scholar appears too hurried here.
Back to the positive, the performances are first rate. Adil Hussain is simply outstanding in the lead role. Priyanka Bose playing his wife and newcomer Shubham as the son are also fantastic. Particularly, Shubham's climactic monologue stays with you long after the movie is over. Sanjay Suri is a pleasure to watch in his small role.
Pareeksha is a heartwarming film with an inspiring message. If you can ignore it's slightly sluggish pace, it can be a pleasant weekend watch with family!!