PAATHSHAALA
Pious intention dubious execution
by Vishal Verma

An Eros International Presentation of a Paperdoll Entertainment production

Producers: Ahmed Khan and Shaira Khan
Writer: Ahmed Khan
Director: Milind Ukey
Genre: social –drama
Target Audience: General



Starring

Shahid Kapoor...... Teacher Rahul Prakash Udyavar
Nana Patekar...... Principal Aditya Sahay
Ayesha Takia Azmi...... Teacher Anjali Mathur
Swini Khara
Dwij Yadav
Master Ali Haji
Avika Gor
Sushant Singh...... Vijendra Chauhan
Saurabh Shukla...... School Manager- Lallan Sharma
Nassar Abdulla………….Dholakia
Shraddha Arya
Sanatan Modi
Anjan Srivastava…………..peon
Vicky Ahuja
Preeti Kopikar



Technical Analysis

Choreographer – director- writer Ahmed Khan turns producer with ‘Paathshaala’ where Milind Ukey does a bland helming of a pious subject about pressures on children but the flick in its writing by the producer himself and dubious handling by the director  sums up as a non touchy movie which is resolutely devoid of real drama and interesting characters.

This 2+hr flick doesn't even recognize what exactly it wants to deal with until after the intermission, and then fails to capitalize on it dramatically.

The movie neither gets established as an entertainer or a messenger while it wastes renowned senior and young talents like Nana and Shahid respectively.

Seriously the movie asks many questions first of all whether the premise is a school or a hostel.
What attachment Nana has with this school?
Is everybody afraid of Nana or he is respected?
Only two scenes between Nana and Shahid?
What teachers in bollywood of late are shown as morons?
And why did that boy pissed in his pants during that first reel?
Is the movie about the commercialization of the education system in schools?
Or it’s about the short span of fame and glory that parents want to enjoy through their child

Or its about the clash of ideologies between a pious headmaster and a business minded owner of the school.

What principle does the principal has

The movie fails to provide a single answer.

Ends up with a soggy finale where Nana waho didn,t spoke much delivers a speech which only the writer can understand. The Sole miracle are Shahid and Nana who manage to keep few balls in the air. Other actors just pass musters but the flick comes with rich tech credits.



The Story

When Rahul unifies the teachers [Ayesha Takia, Sushant Singh] against the atrocities of school management, Principal Aditya Sahay [Nana Patekar] defends the management decision. This comes as a shocker to the teachers as Sahay is known for his dedication as an educationist for last 32 years, which has built the school's high reputation.

The situation turns grave as the school management becomes over-ambitious with its growth and involves media planners in the extra-curricular activities. This demands the involvement of students in TV reality shows and many other media activities used for building up the school image in public, which starts reflecting on the students' stress levels. The pressure on young minds increases incredibly, leading to unexpected consequences.



Promotion

The promoters have been honest in their activity and the indoor outdoor publicity has spurred some interest. Media promotions by Universal Communication has been adequate. Musically it has nothing to hum and generate any lead.



Business Analysis

‘Paathshaala’ comes with a noble idea but wayward execution which is devoid of real drama and interesting characters that makes it tough for the movie to mark its required attendance.



Other Credits

Cassettes and CD's on T-Series. Lyricist: Hanif Sheikh. Music Director: Hanif Sheikh. Background Music: Hanif Sheikh. Cinematography: Basha Lal. Choreography: Ahmed Khan. Art: Kishan R. Gupta. Editor: Ashfaque Makrani. Screenplay: Ahmed Khan. Dialogue: Hanif Sheikh. Costume: Shabina Khan and Komal Shahani. Publicity Designs Marching Ants. Media Relations: Universal Communications.

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