It’s Teachers Day, and how can we not go down memory lane and get all nostalgic about school and college? From the teachers who we respected, who were absolutely funny, were like our friends, or the ones we weren’t very fond of, there’s just so many emotions. Bollywood films have been quite successful in giving us some iconic characters who we could totally relate to. From Ms Braganza from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Virus from 3 Idiots, these teachers were funny, quirky, eccentric, and sometimes everything a teacher shouldn’t be, but we can’t help but love them anyway! So, let us take you through some of our favourite teachers from Bollywood, shall we?
Let’s begin, class!
1. Ms Braganza in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
How can we not begin this class with the most extra and dramatic one of the lot?! Ms Braganza from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, was one of those teachers who was such a diva with her short skirts and sassy persona but made sure to talk about important things like love and dress codes. Oh, how I wish we had her to back us up when we were not allowed to wear what we wanted in college, no?
2. Chandni Chopra in Main Hoon Na
Now, what is with Shah Rukh Khan and some amazing teachers in his films, don’t ask us! But what an iconic character Ms Chandni was, played by the beautiful Sushmita Sen. If there was one teacher we all wanted to have in real life, she would definitely be on that list. (Boys, it’s just not you, we love her too!) From her dreamy, georgette sarees to her sensuous vibe, we all felt all the feels when SRK has the band playing in his mind every time she walked by!
3. Dr Viru Sahastrabudde in 3 Idiots
Now, 3 Idiots is a classic, and for more reasons than one. From their friendships to the love story, to dealing with life and career, it had all of it. But, one character who really held the film was Boman Irani as the dean, Viru Sahastrabudde (a.k.a Virus). From being the eccentric and grumpy professor to breaking down on seeing his grandson, he did show us that even the rudest of the teachers have a soft side to them.
4. Satish Shah in Main Hoon Na
Those teachers who are just funny without trying to be? Yeah, Satish Shah is on top of that list as Professor Rasai from Main Hoon Na. Imagine having to sit in your lecture with a helmet on your head because you didn’t want to be spat on when your professor is saying, “Bandook and Pistol“. Yes, fun times, and one super iconic teacher!
5. Bahubhai Verma a.k.a Khadoos in Stanley Ka Dabba
I know this is a happy, nostalgic teacher’s day blog, but we have all had teachers we just didn’t like, right? It’s not a bad thing to hate one teacher in your life, especially if they are someone like Babubhai Verma or Khadoos from Stanley Ka Dabba. From threatening the other students and Stanley and eating their dabbas in class, to finally realising his mistake and apologising to the child, he finally gets our respect as a teacher. Amol Gupte essayed the role so well, we loved to hate him.
6. Raj Aryan Malhotra in Mohabbatein
A chance to have Shah Rukh Khan as my teacher? Hell yes to that! We have all had crushes on one of our teachers, and Raj, the music teacher was all things crush-worthy! From his calm and romantic persona to being one teacher we could actually be friends with, Raj was the dream teacher. If you had anyone like that teach you, then you guys are lucky ones!
7. Debraj Sahai in Black
Okay, if this wasn’t a solid 10/10 performance from Amit Ji, I don’t know what is. From being someone we hate – an alcoholic, eccentric man who was harsh on his student, Michelle, played by Rani Mukerji – he becomes someone we sympathise with because of his struggles with Alzheimer’s. The last scene where they meet after many years is a testament to how pure the relationship between a teacher and a student.