Teacher's Day: Bollywood's favourite gurus

On Teachers' Day today, we bring to you the most loved teachers on the big screen

Shah Rukh Khan As Raj Aryan Malhotra (Mohabbatein) In this Aditya Chopra film, Shah Rukh plays a music teacher who believes in living life to the fullest and encourages students to follow their heart. He joins the gurukul that is managed by the disciplinarian Narayan Shankar (Amitabh Bachchan) for 20 years. Their ideologies differ. When it comes to matters of the heart for three of his students, the conflict increases with SRK going into a confrontation with Amitabh Bachchan.

Aamir Khan As Ram Shankar Nikumbh ( Taare Zameen Par)

Aamir Khan's directorial debut has the actor portraying a teacher with elan. His style of teaching is remarkably different from the hackneyed ways since his character believes in making learning fun for kids rather than an exercise of pressure. The way he grooms Ishaan (Darsheel Safari), after knowing about his problems of dyslexia, has been both exemplary and motivational for many who are not sensitized enough to deal with special children.

Amitabh Bachchan as Debraj Sahai (Black)

In this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, Debraj Sahni (Amitabh Bachchan) plays an elderly alcoholic teacher. When he enters the life of Michelle (Rani Mukerji), he uses his own unconventional teaching methods to help her find light in her otherwise grey life. As Debraj and Michelle develop a sense of camaraderie, the former begins to develop signs of Alzheimer's disease and is unable to recognize his favourite student. In a poignant move, Michelle takes upon herself the task of teaching him and making him aware of his existence.

Sushmita Sen As Chandini Gupta (Main Hoon Na)

It took a Simi Garewal as Miss Rosy to portray Rishi Kapoor's infatuation for the teacher in Raj Kapoor's Mere Naam Joker. In pencil skirts paired with pretty tops, ballerina shoes and bow ties, Simi became the quintessential metaphor for every adolescent boy's dream woman. Decades later when Sushmita Sen enters the campus in Main Hoon Na, she transforms into the newage Miss Rosy. Clad in chiffon saris, this chemistry teacher also sends pulses racing for her students, including that of Major Ram Prasad Sharma (Shah Rukh).

Saif Ali Khan As Deepak Kumar (Aarakhshan) This Prakash Jha socio-political drama shows how a teacher can use education as a power tool to bring justice on campus. After declaration of reservation for OBC students by the Supreme Court, cast-based riots spread on campus resulting in termination of the principal. Saif Ali Khan, who plays a Dalit teacher, joins the principal in teaching the needy children in cowsheds.

On the occasion of Teacher's Day Sep 5, here are some of the actors who gave some inspirational performances on screen.

Sometimes strict, sometimes fun and sometimes a disciplinarian- a bevy of Bollywood actors including Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah and Shah Rukh Khan immortalised various avatars of teachers on big screen.

On the occasion of Teacher's Day Sep 5, IANS lists some of the actors who gave some inspirational performances on screen.

Amitabh Bachchan: Whether it is a strict Narayan Shankar in Mohabbatein, an eccentric Debraj Sahai, who gives new life to a deaf, blind and mute girl in Black or an honest Prabhakar Anand ofAarakshan, who fought to bring a change in the educational system without compromising on his morals and principles, Amitabh Bachchan brought alive various aspects of a teacher's personality through these films.

Aamir Khan: Bollywood's Mr Perfectionist's portrayal of fun loving and sensitive Ram Shankar Nikhubh in Taare Zameen Par is another unforgettable role. The film showed his belief in a dyslexic child helped the young Ishaan (played by Darsheel Safary) find news ways to learn things. Aamir's warm and emotional portrayal won him critical acclaim, but also commercial success.

Shah Rukh Khan: Shah Rukh donned the garb of a teacher in Mohabbatein. The film showed him playing a music teacher, who has a different way to teach his students, rather than opting for traditional methods. The film didn't well, but Shah Rukh won appreciation.

Naseeruddin Shah: The veteran actor is best remembered for his role as fun-loving Amar Verma in Sir, who was more of a friend that just a teacher to his students and goes out of the way to help them in difficult times. This was one of the best performances of Naseer's career. Another memorable role of his career is that of a former cricketer Mohit in the film Iqbal, who takes up the task to train a deaf and mute boy named Iqbal.

Sushmita Sen: The actress' sexy, sari-clad, ubercool portrayal of chemistry teacher in Main Hoon Na left many gasping for breath. She redefined the way female teachers were portrayed on screen. Her sexy avatar in bright coloured chiffon saris and halterneck blouses, set the viewers adrenalin rushing.

Shahid Kapoor: Shahid's extended cameo in Paathshala was well appreciated in the film that talked about commercialisation of education. Shahid played the role of music teacher Rahul Udyavar, who strikes instant rapport with students and teachers alike and unifies teachers and students to stands up and fight against the atrocities of school management.

Boman Irani: An ambitious but shrewd college dean Viru Sahastrabudhhe in 3 Idiots is yet another memorable role played by Boman Irani. This proved to be one of the iconic roles of Boman's career and won him critical acclaim all across. He is also remembered for his role as a strict medical college dean in Munnabhai M.B.B.S.

Nagesh Kuknoor: Rockford, directed by Kukunoor, narrated the story of a teenager Rajesh in Rockford Boy's High School, a boarding school. It tracks the relationship between Rajesh and his PT teacher Johnny Matthews, played by Nagesh. In the film, Johnny teaches Rajesh a lot of important lessons of life.