Cast: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma, Sachet Engineer, Tanay Cheda

Director: Aamir Khan

Creative Director: Amole Gupte

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy 

Rating: If at all you need to rate this, we give it ***1/2

IT’S A story which has been talked about much before it was released. Taare Zameen Par has been made with an agenda as admitted by everyone related to it and it is very much capable of it. And after a long time we find a film, which is an honest attempt to convey something. It’s propagates more creative indulgence in the education system for growth and self understanding. 

The story is about a nine-year old Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safai) who in medical term has been is defined as dyslexic and is otherwise wonderfully differently able. Ishaan has a harrowing time at school as teachers fail to understand his situation. And this transcends to his home as well. He is compared to his elder brother who is the best in everything he does. As a result of all this, he withdraws from any sort of effort and is labeled a bad student and an arrogant chap. Complaints reach home and after almost one and half years in the same class, his parents decide that he should be sent to a boarding school to be taught a lesson. And despite all pleadings from the kid he ends up in a boarding school. This is where his life changes as he meets Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), an art teacher who was dyslexic as a kid. Ram understands him and helps him and everyone else realize what he is best at.

While film actually gets a bit long and there are instances when it’s way beyond reality- like regular Bollywood fares, but we forgive that for an extraordinary story. The best part of the movie is the that the emotions are well developed and the bonds between every character is defined really well – whether it is the bond between a mother and her child, two brothers, two friends and child’s love towards his father.

There are some moments which heighten your emotions. For example, when Ishaan cries not to be sent away from home; when Ishaan enjoys standing outside the class; and when Ishaan talks to his brother.  Also the way the emotion of the child has been captured is praiseworthy. The film places the child as a central character keeping Aamir out of the scene till after interval. And even after that the child demands more screen space. 

Technically the film is nothing above average. A better screenplay could have build up the emotions better. Cinematography, lighting and editing are efficient. The Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music might not be a sold out as an individual album, but it lends enormously to the situations making each song wonderful.

Performance wise, Aamir Khan is good and Tisca Chopra is fine. But the real clincher is Darsheel. He could have probably been in contention for best debut, if he wasn’t under-aged for that! The other kids Sachet and Tanay are good too.

Overall, it’s thumbs up from us to the director Aamir Khan and of course Amole Gupte who came up with the story. Taare Zameen Par is not just a film; it’s much more than that. This one might just rub on its goodness and help parents and teachers understand what a child wants. We recommend that ever parent should watch it.

PS: Keep your tissues handy while watching. This one will surly make you cry with – with compassion as well as delight!