Teachers’ Day back in school was all about presenting a handmade greeting card to your favourite teacher and have speeches read out, saluting the person and the profession. Right from learning the alphabet, the science behind photosynthesis, or even understanding the nuances of life – teachers have shared it all.
In cinema too, we’ve witnessed characters who left an indelible impression on us – from introducing their students to music, maths, and even love.
Here are top five quirky on-screen teachers who actually taught us how to brush the dust off our shoulders and soldier on in life, and (quoting Ajith) to never, ever give up.
John Keating from ‘Dead Poets Society’
He entered the elite Welton Academy as somewhat of a misfit, with what would be looked at as outlandish views on education and curriculum. But soon enough, he won the boys’ trust and hearts, and taught them a thing or two about life, poetry, and romance.
“Poetry, beauty, romance, love – these are what we stay alive for!” he says, and whips out his poetry, inspiring the boys to form their ‘Dead Poets Society’. If you listen closely, you can hear him vehemently tell you to ‘carpe diem’.
What’s more? Keating taught them literature and even made a lot of boys come out of their shells, including the very shy Todd Anderson, who took charge of what is recognised as one of the most iconic scenes in cinema – standing up on the table and quoting Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!”
Elizabeth Halsey from ‘Bad Teacher’
Elizabeth Halsey is, for the lack of a better word, quite unconventional with her teaching. She takes up the profession for her breast implants but along the way, she discovers that underneath her brash talk, and ‘Resting B*itch Face’, she’s actually full of useful advice for her kids. Even if it’s laden with abuses.
From realising that work can actually be quite meaningful, she eventually becomes the school counselor and cuts to the chase when the kids seek advice. Through Amy Squirrel, her nemesis in school, she teaches kids how not to be so petty and competitive. Through Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake), she teaches girls that you don’t have to dumb yourself down or change yourself for a cute boy, especially when you have a guy like Russell Gettis (Jason Segel) around.
Violet Stoneham from ’36 Chowringhee Lane’
An Aparna Sen directorial, this film is undoubtedly depressing, focusing on a rather forlorn character – Violet Stoneham, an Anglo-Indian teacher in Calcutta. While she does live a lonely life, she seeks brief comfort when her former student moves in to her place with her boyfriend.
But eventually, after moving on in life, poor Miss Stoneham pays them a visit only to realise that she’s as welcomes as she thought she’d be. Depressed, Stoneham instead picks up her copy of Shakespeare’s King Lear and reads it to a stray dog, who unlike its human counterparts, really pays attention. Thanks to Miss Stoneham, we believe that dogs are really a man’s best friend.
Miss Braganza from ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’
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Quirky but highly underrated, Miss Braganza (played by Archana Puran Singh) from Karan Johar’s musical isn’t someone to take orders from a man, especially when he questions her about her clothes. Right from her introduction scene in the film, Miss Braganza is fiery and razor sharp with her retorts, especially when the squirmy (and mostly flirty) Mr Malhotra takes it upon himself to dictate to her about what clothes are and aren’t allowed in school.
“What’s wrong with short skirts? Are you saying I don’t look nice?” she replies, coyly. Tongue-tied, he doesn’t have much of a response to that.
Miss Braganza is also open to the discussion of love in class. Asking everybody for their opinions, she propagates that one shouldn’t be afraid to discuss love because that’s what life is about – a far cry from what most university professors would think. Plus, she has her own theme music in the film!
Maya from ‘Kaakha Kaakha’
Maya (played by Jyothika) is a school teacher with a degree from IIT Madras. She initially rebuffs Anbuselvan’s warnings about safety but later on, seeks his help when a student of hers is in trouble. However, she doesn’t pander to the typical damsel-in-distress like heroine who looks to the alpha male around. She makes it okay to ask for help, especially as it was in the capacity that he was a police officer. She’s also not afraid to declare her love for someone.
Plus, she’s a school teacher with whom you could actually have non-academic related conversations, especially when it comes to being in trouble. She’s got your back.
Syrio Forel from ‘Game of Thrones’
Syrio Forel
Syrio Forel was a master sword-fighter and instructor hired by Eddard Stark to train Arya Stark. He begins his class by calling her a boy, and asking her to fight for the gender she associates with. Teaching her how to dance with the sword, Syrio only makes an appearance in the first season of GoT, but makes an everlasting impact on Arya, who, seasons later, becomes an assassin just like her teacher.
In her first class, Syrio tells her that there’s just one thing one needs to be afraid – death. But, not today.
“There is only one god, and His name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death: ‘not today’.”
Syrio also inspired many memes, some poking fun at the idea of procrastination and others at his name.
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