Nil Battey Sannata Movie Review: Passes With Flying Colours!

In one of her interviews to the media, debutante director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari had disclosed that she got the idea for Nil Battey Sannata while working on a campaign for the education of the girl child and we must say that there could not have been a better film to drive the point home.

Starring Swara Bhaskar, Pankaj Tripathi, Ratna Pathak Shah and others, Nil Battey Sannata revolves around Chanda Sahai (Bhaskar), a woman of humble origins, who works as a maid and as a helper at several sweat shops only so that she can provide an education to her precocious but academically unambitious daughter Apeksha (Ria Shukla). However, when Chanda sees that her efforts are getting wasted, she takes the advice of her employer (Ratna Pathak Shah) and enrolls in the same school and class as her daughter to motivate her and also to keep an eye on her, much to the reluctant enthusiasm of the headmaster (Tripathi).

Needless to say, this causes severe embarrassment to her daughter and drives a wedge between the mother-daughter duo. However, does this help Apeksha focus on her studies and aspire to be something else than a 'bai' like her mother? Watch the film to find out…

Swara Bhaskar, who has been playing supporting roles ever since we remember, gets her first solo lead finally and watching the film will make you realize that this should have happened long ago. The actress is simply marvelous as the plucky mother, who won't let anything stand in the way of her daughter's happiness, whether the latter appreciates it or not. Swara has simply owned the character and will not only bring a lump to your throats but will also make you reach out for your own mother. If watching English Vinglish made you extra nice towards your mum, Nil Battey Sannata will inspire you to go home and hug her tightly.

Pankaj Tripathi as the headmaster of a humble government school in North India is bang on and provides able support to the narrative with his cynicism that masks a noble heart. Tripathi, who has mostly been seen in negative roles, should definitely play such characters more often. Ratna Pathak Shah is effortlessly good and the mentor-protégé relationship between her and Bhaskar is one of the highlights of the film. The child artistes too have put in their hearts in their roles and the results are simply amazing.

Aanand L Rai, who is known for making simple yet poignant stories set in North India, comes up with yet another winner in Nil Battey Sannata. The mother's struggle to give her daughter an education, which will in turn provide her with a fighting chance when dealing with the world, is damn inspiring and touching. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the director of the film, weaves a beautiful tale of love, motherhood and aspirations, which will leave you teary-eyed.

There are moments in the film, which will bring to mind your own childhood days (remember arguing with the teacher for an extra minute when the bell would ring during exams?) and evoke a fond and nostalgic smile…

It takes real courage to attempt a film on a social issue without any big stars and send across a message with a dose of entertainment and humour and Nil Battey Sannata accomplishes this with flying colours.