Chhalaang
Ratings: 3.5/5
Duration: 01 Hr 44 Mins
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Language: Hindi
Director: Hansal Mehta
Writers: Aseem Arrora, Zeishan Quadri, Luv Ranjan
Producers: Amit J. Chaudhary, Ajay Devgn, Ankur Garg, Ashish Kathpal, Luv Ranjan, Ravi Sarin, Avinash Shah, Sheetal Singh Yaduvanshi
Release Date: 13 November 2020
Streaming On: Amazon Prime
Star Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nushrat Bharucha, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Satish Kaushik, Saurabh Shukla, Rajiv Gupta, Jatin Sarna, Suparna Marwah, Ila Arun, Naman Jain, Vaibhav Choudhary, Baljinder Kaur, Garima Kaur, Anmol Bajaj, Anil Chaudhary, Vishal Ajmaria, Akash, Anvita Bhargavva, Gourav Chiller, Ajay Dalal, Deedakk Dalal, Himanshu Dalal, Gowrav, Himanshi, Avni Jain, Dev Joon, Karthikay, Amit Khatri, Ankit Khatri, Kunika, Indu Mughal, Kirti Nain, Nakul, Naveen, Aarnav Manish Parab, Hiren Patel, Kapil Raathe, Harsh Sharma, Hetashi Guru Singh, Manasvi Soni
Plot: The film Chhalaang is hilarious, yet the inspirational journey of Montu (Rajkummar Rao), a PT Master from a semi govt. funded school for whom teaching PT is just a job. Since Montu is utterly disinterested in his job, he spends the PT periods eating samosas under the tree, while the students catch up on their homework.
Things take a sharp turn when the school appoints a more qualified PT Master IM Singh (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub). It is when circumstances put everything he cares for at stake, including Neelu, the school’s new computer teacher (Nushrat Bharucha) whom he loves, Montu is forced to do what he has never done - TEACH.
Through his journey, the film humorously addresses the value of Sports Education in the school curriculum.
Review: Hansal Mehta’s Chhalaang is essentially the story of an unremarkable man, with little discernible talent, setting out to accomplish goals that he has set for himself. However, it isn’t exclusively a sports film even if it may be dressed like one, and it can't be tagged as a love triangle either, while there is a lady with two suitors.
The film is a curious counterpoint to Hansal Mehta’s Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story as both are stories about ambition, or the lack of it - and the opportunities (or lack thereof) that India offers to its people. Hence, viewers would instantly feel connected to the plotline as most individuals are probably like Montu, having settled for the hand that life has dealt them.
Playing a romantic role with some hope and a whole lot of ego, Rajkummar Rao has nailed it. Banking on his ever-so-innocent smile, Rajkummar Rao has infused life into the character of Montu, which could have gone the boring way without him. Even Nushrratt Bharuccha looks confident playing Neelu, and that is quite visible in her performance. Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has tried to match Rajkummar Rao at every step and has given a thumping presence.
Rajkummar Rao’s dynamic with Saurabh Shukla (the school’s Hindi teacher, Shukla ji) proves to be one of the high points of the film. Satish Kaushik, Ila Arun, Baljinder Kaur were too good in their respective spaces as well.
Though the writers Aseem Arora, Luv Ranjan, and Zeeshan Quadari have used the typical Bollywood tropes and have gone overboard at some crucial junctures, they have managed well to maintain a high entertainment quotient throughout the runtime of 140-minutes. Therefore, it would not be wrong to say that it is these actors who have made Chhalaang an enjoyable, non-preachy film.
Overall, Chhalaang makes an impact and turns out to be a joyful affair as the film will move you, give you strength, and make you laugh.
