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Human beings always like to categorize, segregate other people in a particular group or category. It is always US against THEM. This groupism can be based on religion, region, sex, caste and many more categories. Its always those Bengalis, Marathis, Tamils, Europeans, Muslims, Americans, Indians, Dalits, Brahmins, Nerds, Yuppies, blacks, whites, brown and a number of groups. If a person can be categorized in a group, he/she will be. This groupism a lot of times leads to alienation of that group which can have a negative impact on the society.

The Marathi movie “Dahavi Pha” (10th Standard division F) explores this very concept without going into too much preaching. Dahavi Pha is a story of group of student studying in the 10th Standard of a school in the “F” division. The students in the school are grouped according to their exam scores. The “A” division being the boys who score the highest in exam. The “F” division consists of students who are weak in studies. Here the division of students in the classes is based on the marks they get in the exam and not on their intellect.

The students of 10th F are humiliated, shouted at constantly with the teachers not so keen to teach them properly. Every teacher go in the motion of completing the syllabus instead of really explaining it to them. The attitude of the teachers rubs on the students too, who are least interested in studies. However the same students are used for school work when things are to be done, mostly physical. Most of these students are from the lower-most income group of the society who also work part time to support their family. In the course of time they develop a rebellious attitude which triggers the story.

During a normal fight between students of different classes, the “F” division students are punished while the other class is let free. Angered by the injustice, the “F” division students destroy the school lab. To bring discipline to the school, all the students of that division are suspended unless they pay for the damages. Many students are on the verge of discontinuing their studies while the school does not relent. A teacher, who has seen his own anger destroy a life, takes the responsibility of the student and motivates them to the right path in turn repaying the damages and at the same time studying. How the teacher and the students achieve their goal and learn a valuable lesson in life forms the rest of the story.

The second half of the movie is all about how the teacher directs the anger of the students and also tries to convince the other teachers to accept the students as equal. The movie is termed as a children film but I guess its not, at least not in the sense like other children movies. It could be called a mature children movie.

The movie attacks the basic education system where the exam marks determine the type of students. It also questions the responsibility of the teachers in the education framework. Are the teachers only supposed to teach the subjects or are they suppose to build future citizen. However clichéd the previous sentence seemed, it is also true that the teachers impact a child mind after parents. A child spends most of the time in school after home and here is where the teachers influence the child’s behavior and personality.

Primarily the movie tries to question the categorization in general and not only in the education system. Although not mentioned in the movie, the question is evident.

The movie is directed by teacher-student duo of Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar. The duo had earlier directed “Doghi” and later directed “Vastupurush”. The duo faced many problem because of shortage of funds but eventually did manage to complete the movie. The movie is fast paced but does slow down at some instances. Being a children film, it should be more fast-paced. The lack of funds shows in cinematography.

The story, script and dialogs are by Sumitra Bhave. Although most of the dialogs are as realistic as possible, some of the movie has heavy Marathi dialogs like the conversation between Atul Kulkarni and his friend which is completely in poem. Although very beautiful written and enacted, the scene suddenly slows down the pace of the movie and takes off again after that.

Atul Kulkarni plays the teacher who guides the student and as always has done a wonderful job. This is one actor who is completely under-utilized. In addition there are many child actors who have given quite a good performance.

There are quite a few songs in the movie like “Tum pan Sahi”, a kind of mavali song and “Oh Sir, Amhi kelach kay ho sir?”

The movie looks at the economically poor student who work and study and at the same time are not able to perform in the exams. However the students have qualities which are not generally appreciated because of being poor in studies. The students work to repay the school damages sometimes working as labors in market suggesting child labor. Was it justified? I don’t know.

All in all, Dahavi Pha is wholesome entertainment.

Rating: 8.5/10