Hindi Medium

In the bustling heart of Delhi, a world where centuries‑old lanes of Chandni Chowk clash with the sleek avenues of New Delhi, a young family navigates the pull between tradition and aspiration. Raj Batra runs a thriving boutique, while his wife Meeta tends to their five‑year‑old daughter, Pia. Their modest yet comfortable life is grounded in Hindi, the language that colors their daily conversations and community bonds.

Yet the promise of a different future beckons. The couple is convinced that a seat at the city’s most prestigious English‑medium school—renowned for shaping the city’s elite—will unlock doors that language and locality have kept closed. The school’s reputation, its stringent admission radius, and the glossy veneer of an English‑speaking world create a compelling—but intimidating—goalpost for the Batras, whose native tongue suddenly feels like a barrier.

As they explore the polished corridors of the elite educational sphere, the Batras encounter an environment steeped in subtle prejudice and unspoken class codes. The pressure to adapt their manners, speech, and even their residence adds layers of tension that test their identity. Guidance from well‑meaning consultants offers a glimpse of the performance required, while the stark contrast between the family’s Hindi roots and the English‑centric expectations of the school highlights the broader societal divide.

The film unfolds with a tone that balances heartfelt earnestness and gentle satire, painting Delhi’s cultural tapestry in vivid colors. It invites viewers to contemplate the cost of ambition, the resilience of familial love, and the lingering question of whether success must come at the expense of one’s linguistic and cultural self. Through the Batras’ journey, the story captures the universal struggle of belonging in a world where language can both unite and divide.

Last Updated: September 20, 2025 at 16:47