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Five Bollywood Films Show Teachers Beyond Classrooms
These five Bollywood films show that teachers can help people in many different ways.
They do more than explain school subjects.
In Taare Zameen Par, Nikumbh understands Ishaan when others think he will fail.
In Iqbal, Mohit helps Iqbal work toward his dream of playing cricket for India.
In Black, Debraj keeps teaching Michelle even when her disabilities make life very difficult.
In Hichki, Naina teaches students not to accept unfair labels.
In Chaniya Toli, a teacher prepares rural women for an unusual mission.
Together, the films say that good teachers believe in people and help them discover their abilities.
News18 highlighted five Bollywood films for Teacher’s Day 2026: Taare Zameen Par, Iqbal, Black, Hichki and Chaniya Toli.
In Taare Zameen Par, art teacher Nikumbh recognizes Ishaan’s abilities and helps him regain confidence.
Iqbal follows a deaf and mute cricket aspirant supported by coach Mohit despite selection politics and other obstacles.
Black portrays teacher Debraj Sahai’s perseverance in helping deaf, blind and mute Michelle McNally find meaning and joy.
Hichki and Chaniya Toli show mentors challenging social labels and helping marginalized students or women pursue difficult goals.
- Who
- The five films feature teachers, mentors and coaches including Nikumbh, Mohit, Debraj Sahai and Naina Mathur.
- What
- News18 selected five Bollywood films that portray teachers helping students and mentees beyond conventional classroom teaching.
- Where
- The stories are set in the worlds depicted by the Bollywood films; the films were listed as available on Netflix, ZEE5, Prime Video and ShemarooMe.
- When
- The article was published and updated on September 5, 2026, for Teacher’s Day 2026.
- Why
- The films were highlighted to show that memorable teaching involves encouragement, perseverance and challenging the labels placed on people.
Key facts
- Films highlighted
- Taare Zameen Par, Iqbal, Black, Hichki and Chaniya Toli
- Article date
- September 5, 2026
- Taare Zameen Par
- Produced and directed by Aamir Khan; available on Netflix
- Iqbal
- Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor; available on ZEE5 and Prime Video
- Black
- Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali; available on Netflix
- Hichki
- Stars Rani Mukerji as Naina Mathur; available on Netflix
- Chaniya Toli
- Directed by Jay Bodas and Parth Trivedi; available on ShemarooMe
