Hichki! The Bollywood blockbuster that made us silently wipe away our tears as we cheered for Rani Mukherjee during her triumphant moments. You most likely recall the fiery resolve of Naina Mathur, a teacher who faces the world despite having Tourette syndrome, if you've seen the movie. Even though her story is uplifting, inspirational, and as comforting as a cup of chai on a rainy day, let's take a moment to examine it critically but with a hint of humor. Does Hichki simply repeat what Barbara Beyerbach refers to as the "Stand on Me" stereotype of teachers in movies? Spoiler alert, it does.
What’s the Plot of Hichki Again?
Hichki follows Naina Mathur, a driven woman with Tourette syndrome, as she secures a teaching position in a prestigious school, in case you missed it (really, watch it). That sounds fantastic, doesn't it? But hold on—her class is made up of boisterous outcasts from disadvantaged homes. Presenting the traditional "misunderstood underdog teacher vs. rebellious, chaotic students" scenario. With her unique teaching strategies, compassion, and unwavering stubbornness, Naina not only wins her students' respect but also turns them into shining stars. Bollywood feels timeless.
Without a doubt, it is a triumphant tale. However, you may have experienced déjà vu if you've watched a few teacher-focused movies. Why? for the simple reason that Hichki fits neatly into the "Stand on Me" stereotype that Barbara Beyerbach covered in her study of teachers in movies.
The “Stand on Me” Trope: A Crash Course
What exactly is the "Stand on Me" stereotype, then? According to Beyerbach, it is the representation of educators as helpless heroes battling against broken systems, disruptive pupils, or, in Naina's case, critical coworkers and the general public. These educators put their personal lives on the line and go to ridiculous lengths—often at considerable personal expense—to assist their students.
Consider the instructor as a human stepping stone who encourages students like "stand on me, kids, to reach your dreams." That's the essence of Naina Mathur. She fights systematic bias, is unrelentingly committed, and even jeopardizes her career for her students. Additionally, her story is more about her sacrifice than systemic change, like that of many "Stand on Me" teachers. The students are fixed by Naina, but what about the larger injustices they encounter?
Funny, But Make It Critical
Let's take a brief break. Have you noticed that the most successful characters in movies like Hichki are always teachers? Teachers in the real world hardly have time to check everyone's homework, much less transform entire classrooms. In movies, however, they are essentially superheroes with a martyr complex.
Imagine this: A typical teacher is grading papers late at night, exhausted and a little nervous about the staff meeting tomorrow. In the meantime, Naina and other movie teachers are most likely sitting in the rain, coming up with innovative lesson plans and addressing world hunger at the same time. Isn't it exhausting?
Let's also discuss her students. Indeed, they begin as troublemakers but end up winning awards, giving speeches, and disproving everyone. Although it's entertaining to watch, it's a bit too orderly. Actual life? Most likely messier. Not every child experiences a Bollywood-style metamorphosis; some will thrive while others may continue to struggle.
What Beyerbach Would Say
Hichki would make Barbara Beyerbach very happy. In her analysis, she highlights how these movies frequently highlight individual bravery instead of tackling the structural problems that continue to marginalize students. Though her victory is confined to the classroom, Naina Mathur's struggle is inspirational. After the students graduate, what happens? Does a more inclusive society just happen? Does the prestigious school start accepting more disadvantaged students all of a sudden? We don't know because Hichki ends with a lovely bow and credits roll, just like a lot of movies in this genre.
Not to mention the gender dynamics that Beyerbach emphasizes in her research. Female teachers in films often face extra hurdles—they’re portrayed as either romantically unfulfilled, overly nurturing, or self-sacrificing.
Why We Still Love It (and Why That’s Okay)
Do not misunderstand me. The movie Hichki is entertaining, and Rani Mukherjee does a fantastic job. Seeing a teacher with a disability take the lead and demonstrate her abilities to the world is inspiring. Indeed, the movie raises awareness of topics like inclusion and inequality in education. However, it's important to consider why we repeatedly see the same teacher clichés.
It's fantastic if films like Hichki inspire us. However, let's also use them as a springboard for more in-depth discussions. What if the main focus of a teacher film was systemic change rather than individual bravery? What if the narrative praised teamwork—teachers, administrators, and students collaborating to make schools better? Beyerbach would applaud that type of narrative, and honestly, so would we.
Final Thoughts: Pass the Popcorn
Hichki might lean heavily on the “Stand on Me” stereotype, but that doesn’t make it a bad film. It’s heartfelt, fun, and leaves you with a warm glow. Just don’t forget to think critically while you enjoy it. Next time you watch a teacher film, ask yourself: Who’s doing the heavy lifting? Who’s missing from the story? And is the solution too simple to be true?
In the meantime, let’s give a round of applause to real-life teachers who are making a difference—not by carrying the world on their shoulders, but by showing up every day and doing their best in a very complicated system, like our Gender and Media professor Mr. Hasham Nasir because, let’s be honest, they deserve their own movie too.
Your critique of Hichki is as refreshing as it is thought-provoking, blending sharp analysis with humor to tackle the "Stand on Me" trope. By unpacking the film's reliance on the overused narrative of the self-sacrificing teacher as savior, you've managed to balance appreciation for its emotional appeal with a deeper exploration of its limitations.
I especially enjoyed your witty comparison of movie teachers like Naina Mathur to real-life educators who are unlikely to grade papers while also solving world hunger. This grounded humor highlights the disconnect between cinematic portrayals of teaching and the reality of working within flawed systems. The satire cuts through the sentimentality of such narratives and encourages us to critically assess why these stereotypes persist in popular media.
Ah, Hichki. The film that serves inspiration with a side of teacher-as-savior clichés. It’s a warm, feel-good movie, no doubt—but let’s face it, Naina Mathur is every “Stand on Me” trope rolled into one relentless, Tourette’s-defying powerhouse. While she’s single-handedly turning misfit students into academic stars, the rest of us are wondering: does she ever sleep?
Barbara Beyerbach would have a field day dissecting this film. Naina is the poster child of the sacrificial teacher archetype. She’s grading papers late at night, revolutionizing education by day, and fighting systemic inequality in her spare time. What’s missing? A realistic portrayal of how schools work. Let’s be honest: real-life teachers would love to fix all their students, but most are busy trying…
I really appreciate your contrast of the movie with reality. Your discussion about how this is another example of Beyerbach’s “Stand on Me” Theme was interesting to read. However, I find that my personal analysis falls in contention with some of your ideas.
To begin with, I think the wider message that Barbara Beyerbach sets out to give us is that we must take into account the dimensions of class, color and gender when analyzing portrayals of teachers in media. Her motivation is for preservice teachers to learn to deconstruct harmful stereotypes and develop more inclusive views about teaching that challenge traditional representations. Naina Mathur, as a disabled individual with Tourette’s syndrome is able to critically impact her students by…
I thought your blog wonderfully captured the essence of the movie Hichki despite not having watched it. What I appreciated was that you critiqued the movie as well as showed the other side that, at the end of the day, even if this movie relies on stereotypes, it is a good movie and breaks away from the typical film that Bollywood usually manufactures. I especially liked it when you gave an example of real-life teachers and how these types of movies create an incredibly high standard for them that they will never reach because they are human beings at the end of the day. A teacher can only do so much because teaching is their job, but outside of that, they have their own life and problems…
The analysis of the film through the lens of disabilities is fantastic. The film gives an empowering message showcasing her resilience through a broader perspective. While this film challenges the societal norms, it aligns with the medical model of disability, where individual perseverance is emphasized over societal accommodation. Secondly, I feel like another layer that can be worth exploring is that how in this film several stereotypes are challenged and reinforced such that female teachers in such films often face gendered expectations of selflessness or nurturing and how Naina's identity has transformed as a woman with disability and does she challenged the traditional gendered expectations and norms.