Anaganaga review: A decent film about life beyond marks

India Today

16-05-2025

Stories are only for entertainment – are they though? Education is a serious business. But, what kind of business? Education, in most setups, equals mind, mug-up and marks. Then what's the word for reading, writing, learning and understanding? A child's education is always gauged by the marks they score in exams, but in this race to score more, most children lose their curiosity and intrigue. Yet, in almost every childhood memory, there is one teacher who keeps their innocent sense of intrigue intact and stands apart from the rest.advertisement'Anaganaga', meaning 'Once upon a time', is a story about one such teacher who weaves interesting stories to ensure that his students don't simply mug up theories only to forget them later, but understand concepts and retain the learning. The film, streaming on the OTT platform ETV Win, has been written and directed by Sunny Sanjay and features Sumanth, Kajal Choudhary and Master Viharsh in the lead.The film follows Vyas Sir (Sumanth), a primary school teacher loved by students but not so loved by the management for his style of teaching. He is married to Bhagi (Kajal), who is also the principal of the school. Their son Ram (Viharsh), who studies at the same school, struggles with his marks and is unable to handle the pressure from his teachers.
Unable to cope, Ram fails five subjects in his exam and is humiliated by his own mother in front of the entire school. What does Vyas Sir do to help his son? Can Ram overcome his problems? What happens next as the stakes get higher and emotions even more intense? The answers to these questions and more form the core of the film.advertisementWriter-director Sunny Sanjay deserves credit for penning such an insightful story, tastefully garnished with emotion. The film, in parts, is reminiscent of the Nani-starrer 'Jersey' for the way it leans into the emotions of a father-son bond. However, this story is not flawless. While the first half shines a light on the father-son bond, problems in the education system, a teacher's innovation, and quite simply the children, the second half derails into a melodramatic tale of a seemingly failed prodigy.Sanjay, despite these flaws, delivers an impactful film that raises several questions about the Indian education system. Not listening to a child's problems is the biggest concern – and that's what the director attempts to highlight, along with a solution: that teachers must be kind and receptive.Actor Sumanth delivers well as the loved and respected Vyas Sir. He brings a certain innocence to the screen, evoking the charm of everyone's favourite teacher. Although there are moments of monotony now and then, he leaves a lasting impact with the climax.Master Viharsh deserves a special mention, especially for his climax monologue. That scene – and this little bundle of talent – is a definite tearjerker. Kajal Choudhary's performance, however, is underwhelming. Her character had all the potential to raise the emotional stakes of the film, but didn't quite get there.advertisementThe filmmaking style of 'Anaganaga' leaves behind a mixed bag of opinions. While some might call it outdated, others might call it nostalgic. The music, cinematography, editing, colour grading, set design, dialogues – all departments had a distinct early 2000s touch. Some moments might even remind viewers of ETV's daily soaps. Even though it leaves some room for disappointment, the film as a whole pleases the heart.Several films have previously explored the flaws of the education system – 'Taare Zameen Par', '3 Idiots', 'Super 30', 'Hindi Medium', the Kannada film 'Drona', the Tamil film 'Vaathi', and more. Each time these films are released, they reignite discussions about the Indian education system. Now, 'Anaganaga' also has the potential to join this club – but will this film, at last, bring about real change?Only time will tell.