Raatchasi 2019

Lieutenant Colonel Geeta Rani, Jyothika, a seasoned officer in the Indian Army, takes voluntary retirement and steps into the dusty corridors of a struggling government school in R. Puthur as the new headmistress. Her mission is clear but ambitious: to breathe life into a neglected campus, restore discipline, and transform the local education system from the ground up. From the moment she arrives, she makes her intent unmistakable, quietly bearing the weight of expectations on her shoulders while quietly surveying the wear and tear of the place.

On arrival, Geeta Rani overhears villagers and even an auto driver speaking ill of the school. Undeterred, she goes undercover to inspect the campus, the staff, and the overall environment, uncovering widespread neglect, chaotic routines, and corruption that have festered for too long. When an attempt to admit a child is blocked by the Assistant Headmaster who demands a bribe of ₹2,500—despite government school fees being only ₹230 per year—she does not back down and confronts the obstruction with calm authority. Her resolve is immediate and palpable.

Geeta Rani’s reform begins with decisive acts: she rings the school bell and gathers students and staff for a warm-up, turning a simple routine into a moment of collective purpose. She confronts a nearby tobacco shop that lures students with cheap treats and, when the shopkeeper resists, she shatters the toffee jars and delivers a firm warning, forcing the shop to close. The message is loud and clear: the school will not be a playground for bad influences. She also organizes a parents’ meeting, urges community backing for the school’s development, and coordinates with the Public Works Department (PWD) to dispatch workers for cleaning and maintenance. Slowly but surely, the campus begins to look different—cleaner, safer, and more welcoming—and students start showing genuine interest in academics and extracurricular activities.

Her progress, however, incites the ire of Ramalingam, [Hareesh Peradi], the powerful chairman of the GSV Group of Schools, who views her presence as a threat to his control. He responds with intimidation, sending goons to attack the school, and even pushes a fake complaint that triggers a surprise inspection by the District Collector. Yet the Collector, impressed by the transformed environment, praises Geeta Rani and urges her to stay steadfast in her mission.

As the reforms deepen, Geeta Rani learns of a troubling statistic: 89 students in the 9th standard have failed. After hearing about a student who reportedly committed suicide due to academic failure, she interrogates the teachers, who dismiss the students as “good for nothing.” She refuses to accept such labeling, choosing instead to promote the students into the 10th standard, recognizing the practical skills some possess in trades like masonry and welding and refusing to let potential go to waste.

During the summer vacation, Geeta Rani returns to the school to prepare for the impending SSLC exam results. There, she encounters Susheela, [Poornima Bhagyaraj], a teacher who is revealed to be the mother of Kathir—Geeta Rani’s late boyfriend with whom she shared a dream of reforming the education system. This revelation bolsters her resolve and deepens her personal stake in the mission she has undertaken.

In a dramatic turn, Geeta Rani is arrested for promoting failed students without permission. The community—students, parents, and staff—floods the streets and gathers in front of the police station to demand her release. The next morning, the SSLC results are announced: out of 82 students, 79 pass, and 14 score over 400 out of 500, signaling a remarkable turnaround that resonates beyond the school walls.

The film closes on a note of enduring transformation: the once neglected government school has become one of the state’s best institutions, a testament to Geeta Rani’s unwavering dedication and to the shared dream she once pursued with Kathir.