Aashiqana Season 1 Story:-
Shiksha Mandal’ presents a compelling narrative inspired by real events surrounding India’s largest medical entrance exam scandal.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 15 September 2022 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Episodes | 9 |
| Cast | Gulshan Devaiah, Gauhar Khan, Pawan Malhotra, Puneet Kumar Mishra, Rajendra Sethi, Iram Badar Khan, Shivani Singh, Jaihind Kumar, Ramkrishan Dhakad, Kumara Saurabh, Sandeep Goyat |
| Director | Syed Ahmad Afzal |
| Writer | Syed Ahmad Afzal |
| Cinematography | Subhransu |
| Producer | MX Player |
Recent films and series like Halahal (2020), The Whistleblower (2021), and Crash Course (2022) have fictionalized the scandal uncovered in Madhya Pradesh in 2013. ‘Shiksha Mandal’ delves into the education mafia’s exploitation of vulnerable students by orchestrating a scheme where imposters take medical entrance exams on behalf of others. The storyline intricately explores corruption, fraud, cheating, and criminal conspiracy, shedding light on the plight of students across India.
Set in the cities of Madhya Pradesh, particularly Bhopal and Indore, where the pressure on youth to succeed in medical entrance exams is intense, the nine-part series follows Aditya Rai (played by Gulshan Devaiah), owner of a medical coaching institute, and his sister Vidya Rai (portrayed by Iram Badar Khan), a top performer at his institute. Despite her academic prowess, Vidya’s anxiety about her exam results is palpable. However, her world is shattered when she is abducted, and her friend Rahul Somani (played by Gaurav Singh), son of a prominent politician, is murdered. As the mystery unfolds, viewers are left questioning the motives and connections behind these events.
The investigation into the high-profile murder case is swiftly taken over by the STF (Special Task Force), led by the resilient and determined police officer Anuradha Singh Shrivastava (played by Gauahar Khan). Anuradha quickly realizes that the case is more complex than a simple homicide or kidnapping. Meanwhile, Aditya, disillusioned with the authorities, embarks on his own quest to find his sister. As they delve deeper, they uncover a sprawling exam mafia led by kingpin Dhansu Singh (portrayed by Pavan Raj Malhotra), which exploits intelligent students (referred to as “Rajus”) to write exams on behalf of weaker students. The syndicate meticulously plans every aspect, from seating arrangements in exam halls to fabricating answer sheets and bribing officials. The series follows Aditya and Anuradha as they race against time to locate Vidya and dismantle the criminal network responsible for perpetrating this education fraud.
‘Shiksha Mandal’ offers a gripping narrative that exposes the dark underbelly of the education system, highlighting the struggles faced by students and the lengths to which some will go to secure success. With its compelling storyline and nuanced performances, the series captivates viewers while shedding light on a significant societal issue.
The audience is exposed to the intricate web of exploitation that preys on talented students in ‘Shiksha Mandal’, shedding light on one of the nation’s largest scams. The series remains highly pertinent as it delves into the underbelly of a society plagued by moral ambiguity and malpractices, delivering a high shock value. However, writer-director Syed Ahmad Afzal falls short of infusing the narrative with the edge and finesse it demands. Initially, the storyline appears convoluted due to the multitude of characters and parallel plots. The initial episodes suffer from disjointedness, attributed to uneven editing and an inconsistent screenplay. Certain subplots, like Aditya’s romance with Shivaani and Anuradha’s divorce from Sumeet, fail to contribute significantly to the overarching plot. It’s only midway through the series that the momentum picks up, intensifying the drama. Despite the buildup, the series culminates in a cliff-hanger, setting the stage for a potential sequel.
The standout aspect of the series is the stellar performances delivered by the cast. Gauahar Khan embodies the role of the assertive and resolute cop, commanding every frame with aplomb. Gulshan Devaiah captivates with his intense portrayal, while Iram Badar Khan shines in emotionally charged scenes as Vidya Rai. Pavan Raj Malhotra impressively portrays Dhansu Yadav, a character teeming with complexity. He exudes kindness juxtaposed with ruthlessness when it comes to protecting his interests. The supporting cast, including Rajendra Sethi as corrupt cop Jangal Singh, Kumar Saurabh as Dr. Nanhe, and Navdeep Singh as Akhtari, propel the narrative forward.
In essence, ‘Shiksha Mandal…India’s Biggest Education Scam’ injects vitality and originality into familiar subject matter. While it harbors immense potential, sharper and more consistent execution could have propelled it to greater heights. Despite its flaws, the series offers ample entertainment value to keep audiences engaged.
