Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- earnest
- confrontational
- thought-provoking
- social issue film night
- bollywood drama night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film socially relevant and strongly performed, while arguing that its long runtime and increasingly shrill, unfocused treatment weaken the drama.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Prabhakar Anand’s position on reservation brings the college trustees, political protesters, and competing educational interests into direct conflict.
Mithilesh Singh’s investment in coaching classes becomes a central source of power and antagonism.
The Mandal Commission recommendations and the Supreme Court’s reservation decision drive the film’s political and personal conflicts.
Prabhakar refuses to withdraw his endorsement of reservation, resigns, and faces legal jeopardy after resisting the coaching enterprise.
Films like Aarakshan, and why
Rajneeti
socially engaged political drama examining caste, institutions, and public conflict in contemporary India
3 Idiots
issue-driven Indian drama about education, inequality, and the pressure placed on young people by institutions
Satyagraha
political and caste-conscious Indian drama centered on social injustice and confrontational public debate
Movie Details
- Director
- Prakash Jha
- Release Date
- 2011-08-12
- Runtime
- 164 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (44)
Cast
- Amitabh Bachchan
- Saif Ali Khan
- Deepika Padukone
- Manoj Bajpayee
- Prateik Smita Patil
- Aanchal Munjal
- Hema Malini
- Tanvi Azmi
- Mukesh Tiwari
- Yashpal Sharma
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Aarakshan about?
- A principled college principal confronts caste politics and the profiteering education system after publicly supporting affirmative action.
- What is Aarakshan like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Aarakshan as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Aarakshan violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Aarakshan as mild.
- What did critics think of Aarakshan?
- Critics generally found the film socially relevant and strongly performed, while arguing that its long runtime and increasingly shrill, unfocused treatment weaken the drama.
- Which films are like Aarakshan?
- Films with a similar feel include Rajneeti, 3 Idiots, and Satyagraha.
- How long is Aarakshan?
- Aarakshan runs 164 minutes.
- Where can I watch Aarakshan?
- In United States, Aarakshan is available to rent or buy from Google Play Movies, YouTube.
