Happy Teachers’ Day: Watch 5 best Telugu films exploring student-teacher bond on OTT

Education is the bridge that helps many of us overcome barriers to take charge of our lives. A teacher plays a selfless role in helping us chase our dreams, ensuring us a better tomorrow. This Teachers' Day, where we remember the contributions of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, let’s also take a look at Telugu films that have explored the various dimensions of the student-teacher equation.

Hai Hai Nayaka

A under-appreciated gem coming from Jandhyala, Hai Hai Nayaka tells the story of a reluctant school teacher who is entrusted with the task of reforming the arrogant son of a foul-mouthed village headman. Naresh, Sri Bharati and Kota Srinivasa Rao play the lead roles in the film exploring the significance of a teacher in paving a new direction in a student’s life.

Platform: ETV Win

Swathi Kiranam

After telling the story of an earnest classical singer and a dancer who assuredly pass their legacy to the next generation in Shankarabharanam and Sagara Sangamam, director K Viswanath explored the darker shades of the student-teacher equation in Swathi Kiranam. Mammootty is remarkable as a musician who’s envious of a child prodigy, hugely aided by KV Mahadevan’s fabulous score.

Platform: ETV Win

Pilla Zamindar

Choreographer-turned-director Ashok, in this witty coming-of-age tale, focuses on a spoilt brat PJ who needs to adhere to a set of conditions, lead a simple life if he needs to inherit his ancestral property. The protagonist realises the value of teachers, education, friendship in his college stint in this moving drama starring Nani, Hari Priya, Srinivas Avasarala, Bindu Madhavi and others.

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Kotha Bangaru Lokam

Probably, one of the best campus-centric films made in Telugu cinema, the protagonist in this tale, when in a conflict between career and his love life, is guided by an inspiring teacher at a crucial juncture. Unlike most commercial Telugu films that single-mindedly focus on love, Srikanth Addala’s film discusses the importance of education, career without taking the preachy route.

Platform: Amazon Prime Video

Also read: Happy Independence Day: 6 best Telugu patriotic films to watch on OTT 

Sir

A beautiful underdog story, where a teacher takes it upon himself to provide a facelift to a government college in a sleepy village and help its students take charge of their careers, Sir, despite being message-heavy, is equally entertaining. Dhanush is aptly cast as the protagonist in the Venky Atluri directorial also starring Samyuktha Menon, Samuthirakani, Sai Kumar and others.

Platform: Netflix

Also read: Telugu Language Day: Watch films that celebrate the glory of Telugu on OTT