A routine check-up by some deputies show that the classes are not progressing as they should’ve. So a senior education officer is sent for inspection to Savargaon. This time, however, the teachers are supported by the villagers and they manage to deceive the officer and send him back convinced that everything is fine. And Savargaon school is awarded for being a 100 per cent educated and a total success of the programme.

Nishani Dava Anghtha is based on an award-winning novel written of the same name by Ramesh Ingle Utradkar. After a very long gap, Purushotam Berde is back to direction and with this film, he has proved that he has not lost his magic-touch. However, the slow pace is a major shortcoming of the film. Hilarious dialogues evoke laughter but may not sustain the film. Ashok Saraf as Rathod, the head-master of the school, is good and not overboard like in most of his earlier films. Nirmiti Sawant as Bolik Madam, who heads ten schools in the Praudh Sakshartha Abhiyaan and is always eating dry- fruits, is also not over-the-top. Both have given subdued performances, just right for their role in the film. Makarand Anaspure is in the role of Dukare, a full-time volunteer of the programme, who joins the programme so that it would allow him more time to spend with his new bride. Mohan Agashe is Pangolesaheb, the strict and disciplined officer. His deputy is Khasbagesaheb, played by Dilip Prabhawalkar, who likes to harass his subordinates. Kamruddin Kazi played by Vinay Apte is a corrupt officer. Anjan Shrivastav is the secretary of the Education Department of the Central Govt. who comes to Savargaon to check the progress. Bharat Jadhav and Sanjay Narvekar make special appearances.
Verdict
One star for the concept and one for Ashok Saraf’s restrained performance.