Telangana and Andhra Pradesh witness a high number of student suicides each year, especially among those who are pursuing the Intermediate, the state board equivalent of Class 11 and 12. The situation is dire and observers blame the parental and academic pressure placed on students in certain institutions for such incidents.
The recent deaths of students in Telangana over incorrect declarations of Intermediate results has further brought the issue to the fore. And now, My Village Show, a popular YouTube channel which is known for its satirical and sensitive take on several issues, has put out a video titled 'After 10th Class?'. The 10-minute video shows the pressure that a student from a rural place goes through soon after finishing his/her school education.
The story begins in a quiet setting as Anjimama aka Anji, the self-identified 'liberal' father, gloats that his parenting has reaped rewards after his son Abhi scores full marks in the Class 10 results. Abhi is seen standing beside his father calmly, listening to the conversation about his future.
As one youngster hails Anjimama that fathers like him would create many 'APJ Abdul Kalams' in society, the proud parent is seen saying humbly, "There is no contribution from my side. He actually did a lot of hard work and wrote the exams well and passed. He will become a great person (goppodu)." He goes on to add, "He is the one who studies and writes the exams, so let him choose his favourite subjects and join whichever college he likes. I will not stop him."
Abhi is asked what he wants to do, and he says that he wants to take up CEC (Commerce Economics and Civics) and join his friends in a local college. As soon as he says this, his father's mood completely changes, forgetting that just two minutes ago, Abhi was promised freedom in choosing his career.
The 'woke' father soon reveals his true colours, turning violent as his son doesn't want to take up MPC (Maths, Physics, Chemistry) and join a junior college in Hyderabad. As they reach home, Anjimama beats his son black and blue, saying, "Will you strip me off my pride in the village? You should take MPC. I will make you study in Hyderabad, not here. They will put you into a grind daily and make you great."
The short film also highlights how small-scale private colleges trap students from low income backgrounds and how economic differences can end up separating school friends who wish to remain together.
In one scene, Abhi's friend Ranadheer tells an agent that he wants to study with his best friend. However, the agent convinces Ranadheer's mother Gangavva to admit him in a local college for the sake of his commission, and a heartbroken Ranadheer is reduced to tears at the thought of his future.
The narrative also has a funny take on random career counselors who advise the students to choose "bright" or "lucrative" courses so they can lead a lavish life in the future without even knowing what a student is interested in or wishes to do.
In another scene, Anji is seen thrashing his son Abhi as he's firm on his decision to not study in Hyderabad. However, when two others arrive at their house, Anji claims to be applying 'Zandu balm' on his son. The scene hilariously mocks the hypocrisy of Indian parents.
In the last sequence, even as Anji continues to boast that he will send his son to a junior college in Hyderabad which will have air-conditioned classrooms, Abhi runs off from home in tears.
In a few minutes, Abhi comes back with Sreekanth, a local youth turned YouTuber, to convince his father. Sreekanth asks Anji why he was making the boy cry, and further says, "From the time he was 10-years-old, you put him in hostel, you forced him to study without even bringing him home. There is no smile on his face. At least now, let him do what he wants. Everyone succeeds if they sincerely put effort into something they like when it comes to their career."
Sreekanth goes on to add, "Don't be firm on your stand alone. Talk to some people and don't be crazy. Are you going to kill him or what?"
However, the video ends on a slightly tragic note as Anji drags Abhi into the room, saying, "He is my heart. I will make him stay in a hostel even for 10 more years if needed and I will give him more 'Zandu balms' if required."
The short film has been written and directed by Srikanth Sriram and Anil Geela. Speaking to TNM, Anil Geela says that they always wish to narrate stories with humour rather than make the message too pointed.
He says, "In villages, in most of the cases, parents force the students to study as per their aspirations, be it for prestige or other reasons. There are such stubborn parents, there are students who suffer and brokers who cash in on the entire scene."
He further adds, "All those characters in the film are a reflection of reality. In many cases, we see the Anji kind of father who goes with his decisions alone. There are the Gangavva kind of gullible mothers and brokers too. We hope that if any parent watches this, they will think about the wishes and interests of his/her son or daughter instead of forcing them to pursue their ambitions."
Watch the video below: