Hip Hip Hurray

Hip Hip Hurray is a widely acclaimed Bollywood movie released on 16th January 1984. Directed by Prakash Jha, this film is considered one of the gems of Indian cinema. The narrative weaves around the themes of sports, education, and human relations, and combines them brilliantly to create an engaging and inspiring story.

Hip Hip Hurray showcases the journey of a young and dynamic computer engineer named Sandeep, played by very talented Raj Kiran. With his playful and easy-going nature, he becomes a crowd-pleaser right from the beginning. A certain turn of events leads him to take up a temporary teaching job at a local school in Ranchi.

His appointment comes with the responsibility of handling carefree and under-disciplined children, who are more interested in sports than academics. The young computer engineer, initially disoriented, soon embraces the challenge and takes up the responsibility with vigour and passion. His approach towards teaching and handling children provides a unique twist to the traditional portrayal of academic environments in Bollywood films.

The major highlight of Hip Hip Hurray is the phenomenal performance of each actor in the film. Raj Kiran, in his role as the protagonist, does complete justice to his character- his transformation from a jovial man to a responsible teacher is believable and endearing. The child actors in the movie are also praiseworthy for their performances. They add the essential elements of innocence and light-heartedness to the narrative.

Another unique aspect of Hip Hip Hurray is its focus on sports as a major plot driver, which was comparatively new for Indian cinema at the time. Football, in particular, takes center stage, eventually forming the basis for a significant turning point in the story. Prakash Jha’s directorial skills brilliantly picture the physical rigor and sentiment associated with the game while documenting the eventful journey of the students' team gearing up for a crucial football match.

The film's script, penned by Gulzar, one of the most reputed screenwriters and poets in Indian cinema, is indeed, its backbone. The interaction between the teacher and students, the dialogues, and the overall narrative reflects Gulzar's prowess and beautiful expression. The story captures the essence of a teacher-student relationship, the challenges in educational systems, and personal growth, through its astutely written screenplay.

Hip Hip Hurray’s music, composed by the celebrated duo of Vanraj Bhatia, enhances the narrative with its beautiful melodies. The songs capture the mood perfectly, further amplifying the emotions portrayed on the screen.

Considered an integral part of the 'coming of age' genre in Hindi cinema, Hip Hip Hurray is a breath of fresh air, offering a wholesome cinematic experience. Moving on from the melodramatic narratives popular during that period, the movie is recognized for its realistic, close-to-life portrayal of events. Despite its simple storyline, the film manages to leave a deep impact on the viewers, making them appreciate the subtleties of life and relationships.

Prakash Jha is renowned for tacking social issues in a unique and compelling manner, a trademark reflected in much of his work. With Hip Hip Hurray, he crafted a film that offered entertainment as well as important life lessons. Though the film is set in the 80s, its themes and narrative are timeless, making it a must-watch for every generation.

With its breathtaking cinematography brilliantly capturing the beautiful backdrop of Ranchi, compelling performances, and inspiring narrative, Hip Hip Hurray challenges the standard notions of success, relationships, and education. It pushes the boundaries of conventional storytelling of its time.

On the whole, Hip Hip Hurray, with all of its highs and lows, is a cinematic delight, capable of urging the audience to sit back, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of life. It may be considered a classic of its time and is a wonderful piece of film-making to revisit for audiences current and future.