Watch Serious Men

Serious Men is a thought-provoking movie from 2020 starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Nassar, and Aakshath Das. It is a drama and comedy film that highlights the complexity of caste, class, and the education system in India. The story revolves around Ayyan Mani (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui), who works as an assistant to a Brahmin astrophysicist called Arvind Acharya (played by Nassar). Ayyan is a Dalit, from the so-called 'lower caste,' who lives in a Mumbai slum with his wife and young son Adi (played by Aakshath Das). Ayyan is ambitious and sees an opportunity to make a better life for his family by using his son's genius.

Adi is only ten years old, but he is already an academic genius who attends a prestigious school for the elite. Ayyan sees his son's potential and becomes obsessed with using him to climb the social ladder. He fabricates a story that his son is a prodigy who has solved a mathematical problem that has baffled scientists for years. But to keep up the lie and protect his son's future, Ayyan must ensure that nobody finds out the truth about Adi's abilities.

The movie addresses the biases that exist in the Indian education system and how it perpetuates social inequalities. Despite Adi's natural gift, his low-caste status and background make it difficult for him to fit in with the privileged students. His classmates and teachers discriminate against him, and his father's deceit only exacerbates the situation.

Serious Men explores the themes of power, status, and identity. It highlights the cultural and societal barriers that prevent disadvantaged people from succeeding and how the Indian education system perpetuates these inequalities. The movie also depicts the bond between a father and son and the lengths a father will go to provide a better life for his child.

The film is brilliantly acted and has stunning cinematography. Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a fantastic performance as Ayyan, showcasing his range as an actor. He convincingly portrays the complexities of his character, from his devotion to his son to his desperation to succeed. Aakshath Das also impresses as Adi, conveying his character's intelligence and depth despite his young age.

Overall, Serious Men is a must-watch movie that challenges viewers to reflect on the societal issues it raises. It is a sensitive and insightful commentary on the realities of life in India. The story is engaging, and the characters are well developed, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking movie.

Serious Men is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.