Education-based movies may not seem like profitable businesses, but in recent years, several of those movies have been hugely successful like SUPER 30 [2019]CHHICHHORE [2019] and HICHKI [2018]. And the movie that started this trend lately was HINDI MEDIUM [2017]. The film was a runaway success thanks to its message, realism, humor, and performances.
And now producer Dinesh Vijan is back with the second part of this franchise, titled ANGREZI MEDIUM. The movie has been highly anticipated primarily because it’s kind of a comeback for Irrfan Khan after he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor. So does ANGREZI MEDIUM manage to entertain and impress as much as HINDI MEDIUM? Or does it fail to impress? Let’s analyze
ANGREZI MEDIUM is the story of unconditional love between father and daughter. Champak (Irrfan Khan) is a single father to Tarika (Radhika Madan) and is based in Udaipur. Her brother is Gopi (Deepak Dobriyal) and although they both love each other very much, they are also involved in a legal dispute. Both run a store called Ghasiteram Sweets and both claim to be the original store that has been running for generations. The matter comes to court where Judge Chheda (Zakir Hussain) gives a verdict in favor of Gopi.
In a drunken state, Gopi later reveals that he bribed the judge, thereby winning the case. Gajju (Kiku Sharda), a friend of the brothers, records this statement. Tarika, meanwhile, is an average student and wants to win the scholarship offered by her school that will take her to London. She works pretty hard and manages to get 85% and makes her eligible for the UK scholarship. A congratulatory ceremony is held for this occasion. The main guest here is none other than Judge Chheda. Champak angrily informs the crowd of Chheda’s nefarious activities, not realizing that Chheda is the husband of the school principal (Meghna Malik).
The director, angry, cancels the Tarika scholarship. Champak promises Tarika that whatever happens, he will make his admission, that too at the university of his choice in London. Unfortunately, Tarika does not get admission to other fees. Gopi suggests to Champak that they contact Bablu (Ranvir Shorey), their childhood friend who settled in London. Bablu arrives in Udaipur on a Champak sponsored plane ticket.
He tells Champak that he can help him obtain British citizenship, after which Tarika can easily obtain admission. Champak, Gopi, and Tarika arrive at London airport. Here, Champak and Gopi are mistaken for drug dealers. They are deported back to India while Tarika is stranded in London. What happens next forms the rest of the movie.
The story of Bhavesh Mandalia, Gaurav Shukla, Vinay Chhawall, and Sara Bodnar sounds interesting on paper. His script, however, does not meet expectations. While the writers understand the father-daughter bond well, the other clues are unconvincing and possibly not even necessary. The dialogues of Bhavesh Mandalia, Gaurav Shukla, Vinay Chhawall, and Sara Bodinar are decent and some witty phrases.
Homi Adajania’s direction is decent. Get brownie points for scenes involving Champak and Gopi, as these scenes and their performances heighten the impact. Also the scenes of Champak and Tarika in some places will be loved. Indian audiences, especially middle-aged and older people, would connect with the message of children who often abandon them after becoming adults.
On the other hand, the movie has too many subplots that are difficult to digest. The public will find it strange that Champak and Gopi are commercial rivals and even fight in court. But at the same time, they even drink and date together as best friends. Not only that, but Gopi also doesn’t even care when Champak leaks his video where the latter boasts of having bribed the judge! The way Champak and Gopi are deported for a misunderstanding seems stupid. Tarika, meanwhile, settles in London and finds a job and a house, even before her admission is made. She does not ask Champak even once how they will get funds. Also, the trace of Naina and her mother, Mrs. Kohli (Dimple Kapadia) seems totally unwanted. Audiences never know why they disagree.
ANGREZI MEDIUM begins with an average note, which represents the life of Champak and Tarika, and also the enmity between Champak and Gopi. However, the last part seems baffling as their love and hate relationship. Some scenes here stand out as a drunk Tarika accusing Champak of being intoxicated, insanity in court, and at the school ceremony. The father-daughter bond touches viewers.
The middle point is not convincing. After the interval, the film falls into places thanks to too many confusing developments and too many subplots. Fortunately, some genuinely novel moments stand out here as Tarika turning her shirt into a crop top to fit her new London friends, Gopi tied Champak to her bed, and Champak and Gopi rescued Ms. Kohli and then sang the song by happy Birthday. for her. Also, the ending could leave viewers teary-eyed.
Angrezi Medium | Public review | Irrfan Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Radhika Madan | First-day First show
Speaking of performances, Irrfan Khan offers top-notch performance. He seems completely fit and makes sure to make the audience laugh and keep his eyes moist. Deepak Dobriyal is also excellent and his chemistry with Irrfan saves the film to a great extent. Radhika Madan has a good screen presence and offers excellent performance. However, their dialogue is difficult to understand in a few places. Kareena Kapoor Khan looks great but is underused and the same goes for Dimple Kapadia. Ranvir Shorey gets some scope in the second half and excels. Pankaj Tripathi (Tony) tries too hard but manages to make him laugh. Kiku Sharda is reliable. Zakir Hussain, Meghna Malik, Manu Rishi (Bheluram), Ankit Bisht (Anmol), and Manish Gandhi (Advait) are fine. Tillotama Shome (Counselor) leaves a mark and deserved more time in front of the screen.
Sachin-Jigar’s music is disappointing. ‘Ek Zindagi works well depending on the situation. The rest of the songs are forgettable. However, Sachin-Jigar’s background score is significantly better.
Anil Mehta’s cinematography is appropriate. Smriti Chauhan’s outfits are real and Radhika’s transformation, once she moves to London, is effective. Bindiya Chhabria’s production design is quite good. Editing a Sreekar Prasad is nothing great and suffers due to gaps in the script.
Overall, ANGREZI MEDIUM works only due to the chemistry of Irrfan Khan and Deepak Dobriyal and also due to some poignant moments. At the box office, the goodwill of HINDI MEDIUM and the return of Irrfan will ensure decent steps for the film over the weekend.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.