Pareeksha is streaming on ZEE5. (Photo: Prakash Jha Production/Twitter)
Prakash Jha directorial Pareeksha – The Final Test is finally streaming on ZEE5. The movie stars Adil Hussain, Priyanka Bose, Sanjay Suri and Shubham Jha. Touted to be a commentary on India’s education system, it follows the story of a rickshaw puller in Bihar who dreams of providing quality education to his son and the eventual challenges he faces. Jha, known for critically-acclaimed films like Apaharan, Gangaajal, Raajneeti, Mrityudand and Damul, is making his digital debut with Pareeksha.
Speaking about the story of Pareeksha, the filmmaker told indianexpress.com, “The core of the story has been with me since childhood. I also used to travel to a convent school via a rickshaw, and I would always wonder about the kid of that rickshaw puller and even the peon in the school. Then Abhayanand once told me the story of the time he was posted in Jahanabad, which is a Naxal-afflicted area. Sometimes, when they would raid, they wouldn’t find the Naxals but would come across their children. These kids, once they overcame the fear of speaking to a police officer, would turn out to be so expressive. There were many success stories that came from there, when they were provided with the right education. That’s how the story came into being. There have been so many real-life stories of people who have faced several hurdles to give their kids basic education.”
Pareeksha had its premiere at the 50th International Film Festival of India last year at Goa. Sharing his expectations from Pareeksha, Prakash Jha said, “I want people to enjoy it. It’s a beautiful story. For inspiration, they can just look around. Recently, when the board results were announced, we read about so many brilliant stories. From a girl staying in footpath all her life passing the exams, to a young child climbing up a mountain to get network. All these are inspirational tales and will make you understand the extent one has to go to get the opportunity to study in the country.”
Based on a real-life story, Pareeksha is about a rickshaw puller in Bihar whose desire to see his son attend the city’s best English-medium private school, surmounts all else. And while the treatment is linear, often taking a simplistic hop-skip-jump over tough problems to reach its message-y end, it toplines hope: if one poor man’s child can break into the privileged sanctum of expensive education which will lead to a better life, so can many others.
Read more
Priyanka Bose plays a doting mother in Prakash Jha's film.
A doting mother and an incredible actor, watch @PriyankaBose20 become a part of Bulbul's dreams with #PareekshaOnZEE5. Kya yeh milkar Bulbul ke #SapneSachKarenge? Find out on 6th August.@_AdilHussain @PJP_Online @prakashjha27 #ShubhamJha pic.twitter.com/PvkYTJqooz
"Saw #pareeksha Aftr seeing this i was shaken up & sometimes even tears started dripping from my eyes @_AdilHussain sir u r fantastic as a poor father Who can do anything for his son's studies. @priyankabose20 u r awesome as a mother & wife. @sanjaysuri hats off," wrote @MrArunSiingh.
@Aditya_Shukla03 posted, "Just watched #Pareeksha and I am speechless. Got so many goosebumps while watching this wonderful and inspirational story of struggle and hard work. Amazingly performed by @_AdilHussain and @priyankabose20. Many congratulations and thanks to @prakashjha27 for making #Pareeksha."
"It’s often said that storytelling offers the opportunity to talk with your audience, not at them! That’s #PrakashJha there in the middle of #Pareeksha shoot!" read the post caption.
Pareeksha actor Sanjay Suri shared earlier on his Instagram account, "You can learn while watching @_adilhussain act and was a pleasure to be working with the entire team @priyankabose20 @shubham_j124 #SachinKrishn, cast n crew at @PrakashJhaProductions."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, director Prakash Jha shared, "The core of the story has been with me since childhood. I also used to travel to a convent school via a rickshaw, and I would always wonder about the kid of that rickshaw puller and even the peon in the school. Then Abhayanand once told me the story of the time he was posted in Jahanabad, which is a Naxal-afflicted area. Sometimes, when they would raid, they wouldn’t find the Naxals but would come across their children. These kids, once they overcame the fear of speaking to a police officer, would turn out to be so expressive. There were many success stories that came from there, when they were provided with the right education. That’s how the story came into being. There have been so many real-life stories of people who have faced several hurdles to give their kids basic education."
Read more
Sanjay Bhutiani shared via Twitter, "Loved the film ! And your performance Sir."
An underdog-as-winner is an always-in-demand subject; a little less exposition would have made this well-intentioned film better.
Pareeksha's lead actor Adil Hussain tweeted, "#Pareeksha will break, warm, move your heart. May shake it a little. 6th August on @ZEE5India and #Worldwide."