Hichki movie review: Rani Mukerji powers a 'no-hiccup' ride

Rani Mukerji's character suffers from Tourette's Syndrome in the film.

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

Hichki in Hindi means 'hiccup', but this Rani Mukerji starrer has none. The film backed by Yash Raj Films belongs to a different league altogether. And there are ample reasons for it. Director Sidharth P Malhotra takes the audience straight into a middle-class household where veteran actors Supriya Pilgaonkar, Sachin Pilgaonkar play estranged husband and wife blessed with a son and daughter. 

The story moves smoothly (without any hiccup) as we are introduced to Naina Mathur aka Rani Mukerji. She suffers from Tourette Syndrome, a neurological condition which starts from the onset of childhood and results in several motor tics and at least one vocal tic sounds. As the lead actress suffers from this condition, the society finds it hard to accept her.

But here, Naina is shown as a confident, young girl who has ambitions and will try until the end to make her dreams come true. The undying spirit of a person living with a special condition every day yet never makes it an excuse to reach for the stars is what makes 'Hichki' a must watch.

Despite having excellent academic qualifications, Naina is shown the exit door every time she sits for a job interview. Well, do I really need to give any reason, why? So, she not only braves all odds to find that one perfect teaching job but also has to bear the temperament of a father, who has separated from the family and still can't come to terms with his daughter's condition.

Naina's search for the perfect job finally ends at her own alma mater and from there, her tough life begins. The script has smartly incorporated the Right To Education initiative implemented by the government where kids from the marginalised sections of the society too get access to study in a prestigious school. But is it all hunky-dory? Well, for that you should head to the halls straight away.

There are several moments where a teacher-student relationship outshines the characters and you go back in time, thinking about your own school days. Also, the sense of competition between teachers and students is as real as it gets.

The class of kids which Naina gets has acted brilliantly and the casting director must be given full marks for it. After 'Black' Rani has once again proved her acting mettle with 'Hichki' which will somewhere pull the right string and touch your hearts.

Don't go thinking it's a typical Yash Raj venture. Because with a subject like this, thankfully it's far away from their brand of cinema. Rani's 'Hichki happens to be an adaptation of 2008 Hollywood movie 'Front of the Class' which was based on the book titled 'Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had by Brad Cohen'.

(Ratings: 3.5/5 Stars)