Chhichhore

Chhichhore

movie

12, 2019, Comedy, Drama

WISE
72%

WISE Score

62

Avg. Tomatometer

Bollywood underdog tale that uses college flashbacks to deliver a life-saving lesson about failure, friendship, and what really makes you a winner.

IMDb8.3
RT Critics62%
Common Sense Media
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Screenwise Verdict

Chhichhore is that rare film that takes a genuinely important topic—teen suicide driven by academic failure—and wraps it in an entertaining, heartfelt package. The message is clear and needed: one test, one failure, one rejection doesn't define you. For families with teens navigating the pressure cooker of school, this can be a conversation-starter that actually works.

That said, it's not light viewing. The opening suicide attempt is serious and requires you to be ready for that conversation. The moderate profanity and mild sexual content mean this isn't for elementary schoolers. And at over two hours with Bollywood musical conventions, it requires some buy-in from viewers unfamiliar with the format.

But if you've got a middle or high schooler, especially one feeling crushed by expectations? This might be exactly what you need to watch together. The 8.3 IMDb rating isn't hype—it's earned.

Age Fit

Best for ages 11-12+ and especially relevant for teens facing academic pressure. The suicide attempt content requires maturity and parental context. Adults will appreciate it too—this isn't just a kids' film, but rather a family film for families with older kids/teens.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

A Bollywood film about friendship, resilience, and redefining success that models strong bonds and mutual support. The central premise—a father trying to save his son after a suicide attempt by sharing stories of college failure and friendship—is emotionally mature and ultimately life-affirming. The tone balances comedy with serious themes, showing that losing doesn't make you a loser. Some moderate profanity and mild sexual content keep it from being purely wholesome, but the core message about self-worth and friendship is genuinely positive.

Imaginative
62

The dual-timeline structure (present-day crisis intercut with 1990s college flashbacks) is well-executed but not groundbreaking. The film leans on familiar underdog sports movie tropes and college comedy beats rather than pushing creative boundaries. The nostalgic recreation of '90s hostel life has charm, but the narrative follows a fairly predictable arc. It's competently made but doesn't invite much creative thinking or exploration beyond its message.

Safe
58

The film opens with a teenage suicide attempt—a deeply triggering event that frames the entire story. While handled with care and ultimately focused on prevention and hope, this is heavy content. IMDb parents guide notes moderate profanity, mild sexual content, and mild violence. The alcohol/drug use in college scenes is present but not glorified. Common Sense Media suggests age 11+, which feels appropriate given the mature themes. The suicide content alone requires significant parental preparation and is not suitable for unexpected viewing by younger kids.

Enriching
82

This is where Chhichhore shines. The film tackles academic pressure, suicide prevention, and redefining success with genuine emotional intelligence. Its core message—that failure is part of life and doesn't define your worth—is desperately needed, especially in high-pressure academic cultures. The 8.3 IMDb rating and 91% audience score reflect how deeply this resonates. It offers meaningful conversations about mental health, friendship, perseverance, and what truly matters. The enrichment value is substantial for teens and families navigating academic stress.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Tackles suicide prevention and academic pressure with emotional intelligence—a genuinely important message for teens drowning in achievement culture
  • Strong friendship dynamics and humor balance the heavy themes; the '90s college nostalgia is charming and well-executed
  • High audience scores (91% RT, 8.3 IMDb) suggest it resonates deeply; the 'losers can win at life' message lands without being preachy
  • Opens conversations about mental health, redefining success, and supporting friends through failure—topics many families struggle to discuss
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What to Watch For

  • The film opens with a teenage suicide attempt and this frames the entire story—not suitable for young kids and requires serious parental context even for tweens
  • Moderate profanity throughout and mild sexual content/innuendo in the college scenes
  • Alcohol use in college flashbacks (not glorified but present); some mild violence in sports/ragging scenes
  • It's a 2+ hour Bollywood film with musical numbers—if your kids aren't used to the format, they may lose interest

Conversation Starters

  • "The dad tells his son that being a 'loser' in college taught him how to win at life. What do you think he means by that?"
  • "Have you ever felt like everything depends on one test or one competition? How did that feel?"
  • "The friends stick together even when they keep losing. Why do you think that mattered more than winning?"
  • "If a friend was really struggling with pressure or feeling like a failure, what would you want them to know?"

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