Hindi Medium is a riotous and relevant satire on education that follows the entertaining but awkward trials of Raj Batra (Irrfan Khan) and Mita Batra (Saba Qamar) to fit into English-speaking society. Raj and Mita are required to find their way through the elaborate education system to admit their daughter into the kindergarten level of one of Delhi’s top English-medium schools. Raj and Mita suffer an inferiority complex in a city like Delhi, where the snob factor not only involves driving a swanky sedan or wearing the choicest brands and living in an upscale area but also speaking English. Mita is determined to send her daughter to an elite private school and ensure that she will develop the skills to socialize with the rich upper class. The film reveals Raj’s back story as a Chandni Chowk-bred tailor’s son, who had fallen in love with his muse Mita during teenage. Years later, he is a self-made man, who owns a boutique that sells reproduced designer outfits. Even though he has risen up the financial ladder, he rues the fact that he is still unrefined and Hindi-speaking, much to the chagrin of Mita, who is obsessed with fitting into the high society. While earlier films like 3 Idiots (2009), Paathshaala (2010), Taare Zameen Par (2007), Nil Battey Sannata (2016) and Chalk N Duster (2016) have highlighted the issues plaguing the education system in India, Hindi Medium uses humor to convey its point. Director Saket Chaudhary’s attempts to add satire to the narrative, which could have well turned out to be preachy, deserve applause. Irrfan Khan is remarkable as a simple man, who turns unscrupulous to be a perfect father and husband. His flair for comedy is flawless as he also symbolizes the conflict between posh South Delhi and Chandni Chowk. Saba Qamar is a surprise package, who makes Mita a believable, paranoid mother and lovable, despite her annoying demands of her husband. Deepak Dobriyal’s character renders a touching performance as the naive poor neighbour of the couple. Hindi Medium is a much-needed comment on the private school education system in India and its impact on many lives. Although the film takes a slight preachy turn towards the end, it successfully drives its point home. Chaudhary’s film has excellent production values and a strong story. It certainly makes for a movie that can drive away blues on a dull day.