'Chhalaang' Review: Rajkummar Rao-Hansal Mehta get it right once again in colourful world

'Chhalaang'

Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Ila Arun, Satish Kaushik, Saurabh Shukla and others

Director: Hansal Mehta

Duration: Two hours 16 minutes

Where to Watch?: Amazon Prime Video

Critics' Rating: 3/5

'Chhalaang' Story:

Chhalaang is hilarious, yet the inspirational journey of Montu, a PT Master from a semi government-funded school for whom teaching PT is just a job. When circumstances put everything he cares for at stake, including Neelu who he loves, Montu is forced to do what he's never done - TEACH. Through his journey, the film humorously addresses the value of Sports Education in the school curriculum.

'Chhalaang' Review:

Sports Education is a very important topic which deserves undivided attention from people of the country. Cinema in many possible ways has created sports-based dramas some have worked while some failed to create magic with the content. This genre has been attempted by neither co-writer Luv Ranjan nor director Hansal Mehta. Rajkummar Rao who plays the leading role in the film is directed by Hansal for the first time in a lighter film from their six outings together. 

This was the big 'Chhalaang' created by Hansal and Rajkummar together? And did the succeed in their landing, let's analyse it a bit with the plot...

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Rajkummar Rao plays the role of a PT teacher in a co-ed school who has a lazy approach towards life and his work. The real-life dialogue of 'leading a smooth life in a government job' is shown here, but that's just a sham. You need a catalyst to become a feminist in life, and Nushrratt Bharuccha's character does that push. They start on a wrong foot but eventually, she learns to accept him with his flaws just like how this movie needs to be accepted. 

Despite bringing the change in his life, Rajkummar's character Montu leads his job with a 'chalta hai' attitude. This backfires on him in no time as the principal of the school played by Ila Arun appoints new Physical Education teacher (Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub) and makes Montu his assistant.

One needs an igniting spark to bring about a change within. Seeing a successful educator taking over his job, Montu decides to play triathlon by creating a team of scholars against students who are slightly inclined towards sports. 

Chhalaang has all elements of a sports-based film including high drama, pitting one against another, social awakening, realise the importance of physical education and more.

There are a few scenes which will stay with you although it's not something new we have witnessed on screen. Rajkummar getting schooled by Nushrrat on stopping couples from meeting in public places as he is a part of 'Sanskriti Dal'. Feminist parents who knowingly or unknowingly make kids do whatever they want irrespective of their gender (no questions asked). Bookish knowledge is not enough, to walk head-head-head with the world you need a practical approach in every possible way.  The most important thing - it's nowhere written that high scorers in school won't fare well in sports!

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Coming to performances, Rajkummar Rao can never go wrong and his tuning with Hansal can be seen. We have seen Rao in his most intense and challenging roles in Hansal movies so this just has to be a cakewalk. Well, it was, indeed!

Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub has shown his acting prowess time and again but there could have been something more churned out of him.

The most surprising and delightful actor to watch in Chhalaang is Nushrratt Bharuccha. We have to credit Luv Ranjan for writing something different for the actor and also to Nushrratt for bringing justice to Hansal's vision. 

We know the supporting cast and they can definitely not disappoint. Saurabh Shukla, Satish Kaushik, Ila Arun and Baljinder Kaur get a fair share of screen space and crisp dialogues which make them a treat for the eyes. 

Hansal Mehta got out of his comfort zone and it's indeed a high jump to be witnessed from his recent outing Scam 1992 to Chhalaang. The filmmaker's last outing in the slight light-hearted genre was Simran which failed to make an impressive mark. But when working with Rajkummar Rao, Hansal manages to create magic onscreen. 

But Chhalaang is lighter than that and shows that the filmmaker can make a romcom and a family entertainer too which is high on content and powerhouse of talents. There are some moments which are forced to bring out a message but it takes no time to create a good premise for a smooth watch.

Chhalaang will remind you of many films from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Dangal and Saand Ki Aankh. There are very few movies wherein romcom takes over sports drama and Chhalaang can be counted as one. But it still has its uniqueness which makes it a movie to be looked up to. 

'Chhalaang' Verdict:

Hansal Mehta and Rajkummar Rao take a huge 'Chhalaang' from high intense drama to light-hearted family entertain and lands successfully.