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Bollywood has portrayed teachers in many shades over the decades, but more often than not, they are shown as caricatures rather than normal individuals. On screen, the Masterji is either a weak, helpless man in kurta-pyjama with a stick and a bicycle, or a comic fool who forgets everything and gets tricked by students. Teachers have frequently been used for comedy instead of being shown as real people.

Amitabh Bachchan's Powerful Teacher Roles

Amitabh Bachchan has played teachers in several memorable films. In ‘Mohabbatein’, he was a stern principal who clashed with Shah Rukh Khan's character. In ‘Major Saab’, he trained cadets to die for the nation. His most impactful role came in ‘Black’, where he portrayed Debraj Sahay, a teacher determined to educate a blind, deaf, and mute girl. The performance remains one of the finest examples of a teacher's dedication on screen.

Aamir Khan and Student-Centric Teaching

In ‘Taare Zameen Par’, Aamir Khan redefined the image of a teacher. His character goes beyond academics to understand a child's struggles with dyslexia, eventually helping him discover his strengths. The film beautifully highlighted the emotional bond between teacher and student.

Glamour vs Reality

Sushmita Sen brought glamour to classrooms in ‘Main Hoon Na’ as Chandni Chopra, admired more for her looks than her lessons. By contrast, Gayatri Joshi in ‘Swades’ played Geeta, a simple, village teacher dedicated to educating children and loving her country-a far more realistic portrayal.

Boman Irani's Strict Professors

Boman Irani has delivered memorable teacher roles, especially as the rigid Dr. Asthana in ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ and the strict principal "Virus" in ‘3 Idiots’. Both characters represented the authoritarian education system, often clashing with free-spirited students.

When Teachers Turned Villains

Bollywood has also shown darker shades of teachers. In ‘Kal Kisne Dekha’, Rishi Kapoor played a science teacher who misused his knowledge for evil. Raj Kapoor's ‘Mera Naam Joker’ explored a student's attraction to his teacher, while films like ‘Imtihan’ and ‘Sir’ depicted teachers battling difficult circumstances and troubled students.

Comic Relief in College Films

In films like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ and ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’, teachers became sources of comedy. Actors like Anupam Kher and Archana Puran Singh played over-the-top professors, remembered more for their antics than for teaching.

Recent Inspirational Stories

In recent years, Bollywood has moved towards more meaningful teacher narratives. Hichki (2018) featured Rani Mukerji as a teacher with Tourette syndrome who overcame rejection and ridicule to connect with her students. ‘Super 30’ (2019), starring Hrithik Roshan, told the real-life story of Anand Kumar, who offered free coaching to underprivileged children aspiring for IIT, showcasing the extraordinary dedication of a teacher.

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