Hichki movie review: Well placed film with Rani Mukherjee's sassy, confident, solid performance

Movie lovers have all the reasons to feel on top of the world as Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee has made a BIG comeback to the silver screen with Yash Raj Film's Hichki. The much-anticipated movie, which got postponed by one month due to the post-exam scenario for students and families, finally hit the theatres on March 23.

The Siddharth P Malhotra directorial marks Mardani actress’s return from her maternity break and opened on a good note at the box office. While Hichki has earned rave views from the critics for its crispy storyline, fans are finding it hard to get over the stupendous performance of Rani. The Bengali beauty has impressed audience with her acting prowess yet another time.

In Hichki, Rani is seen playing the character of a teacher named Naina Mathur, who is suffering from a rare neurological disease, Tourette syndrome. While a group of ill-mannered students leave no stone unturned to make fun of Naina's rare condition, her confidence and determination do not allow her to give up on her dream.

Hichki, produced by Maneesh Sharma, is inspired from Brad Cohen and Lisa Wysocky's famous book Front of the Class: how Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had.

However, if you are yet to watch Rani in her never-seen-before avatar in Hichki, let's have a look at some of the quick reviews on the film.

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1. The Indian Express:

Hichki does well in placing this story within a uniquely Indian context: of an old, establishment school being forced to take in children from the slums next door out of sheer need for space; of a well-meant law such as the Right to Education Act coming up against the stark, unsaid reality of class difference; of the meritocracy-determined hierarchical system that can be as rigid, in a society driven by competition; and of small aspirations that die within those walls every day.

2. NDTV:

Rani Mukerji's performance is solid, and there are some deft moments from fine actors like Shiv Subramanium who plays a school principal befuddled by the idea of anyone ever wanting to do what he does, and the masterful Neeraj Kabi who makes an annoyingly villainous teacher somewhat believable. Early in the film there is a fleeting montage of different people interviewing Mukerji's character and flinching at her 'hiccups,' which looks rather quirky, but the film is unable to match its sprightliness.

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3. Hindustan Times:

The film’s is well paced. At 118-minutes, there are not many dull scenes. Then there is Rani Mukerji, sassy, confident and completely aware of her circumstances. She operates within the boundary and tries her best to not let the film deviate from the central theme. She has got support from Neeraj Kabi and a bunch of happy-go-lucky adolescents, but the lack of depth in film’s writing mars Hichki’s novelty. Hichki oscillates between a strong-willed teacher and some kids pushing against the wall. One can be a hero only at the cost of the other. One of them must get an easier win, and the director chooses Rani Mukerji. It’s well-intentioned and will move you, but it could have been so much more.

4. Deccan Chronicle:

Writer-director Sidharth P. Malhotra’s Hichki is not a great film in terms of originality of plot, or even inspired writing, direction. But it’s a very special film for reasons both big and small.  For one, Rani Mukerji, who plays the 15th oddball to join a class of 14 misfits, is in excellent form. Second, Hichki mainstreams and normalises a condition — a mechanical locha, so to speak — in a way I haven’t seen done often.