Taare Zameen Par - Every Child Is Special December 28, 2007
Posted by Shujath in Hindi, Movies, Reviews.Tags: 2007, Aamir Khan, Amol Gupte, Animation, Bum Bum Bole, Children, Darsheel Safary, DVD, Every Child Is Special, Film, Movie, Review, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Taare Zameen Par, Tisca Chopra
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There is a scene in Taare Zameen Par when the protagonist Ishaan (Darsheel Safary) runs away from school and loiters on the road for the whole day - for the fear of being punished for not having done his homework. I never did anything like that in school but keep doing it regularly once I started work. The comparison might not be warranted but this is just one of those scenes which made me relate to Ishaan’s plight in the movie.
On paper, this is the story of a kid suffering from dyslexia and how with the help of an understanding teacher he overcomes it against all odds. But honestly (and more importantly) this is an open indictment of our education system and parents…and their frenzy to produce “winners”. There have been films in the past like Bommarillu and Good Will Hunting which have tackled the issue of an individual’s own inclinations coming in conflict the rest-of-the-world’s perception of what is best for them. Taare is probably more timely and significant because it deals with a phase of life where one is hardly aware of a thing called “choice”/”interest”/”inclination” and so is very likely to shrivel and retreat into a shell (too young to understand that he/she is just different but not wrong)….when figures of authority simply pronounce judgements rather than trying to understand the problem an individual is facing.
The incidents involving the teacher-student interactions depicted in this movie are so relevant in today’s times when you get to see and hear on television at regular intervals innovative punishments like electric shocks being doled out to students. There are particularly heart rending moments like the whole initial boarding school sequence - set to the song “Tujhe Sab To Pata Hai Na Maa” which covey the unspoken emotions of a child separated from his mother when he most needs her. It’s been a long time since I had tears in my eyes (for the right reasons) when watching a film - No emotional manipulation here thankfully!
Aamir Khan and Amol Gupte (Writer and Creative Director) have crafted a wonderful film which hits you hard - whether you are a child or a parent/teacher. This film would not be complete without a special mention for Shankar Ehsaan Loy (Music), Prasoon Joshi (whose lyrics convey more than the actual dialogue in the movie) and the technical crew (for some great visual effects). Of course, above all this film could not exist without Darsheel Safary - who hardly speaks in the movie but his portrayal of the moods and emotions of an 8 year old kid are stunning to say the least. Aamir Khan in a supporting role delivers a heartfelt and wonderful performance - easily his best in recent times. Another supporting role which deserves special mention is of Tisca Chopra (who plays Ishaan’s mother).
Certain cinematic cliches can be forgiven here for this film is trying to say something more bigger. Thank You Aamir for Taare Zameen Par. I felt so much better after watching this. This is a movie which a child may or may not understand but one which every parent/teacher should watch to understand their child.
I fully agreeTZP is best film I have every seen. Darsheel should win all major awards in LEAD Male role catagory. Not be awarded sometihing like ‘Best Child Newcomer’. After all these awards should not be reserved only SRKes & Bachchaans.
I think you have over-blown Taare Zameen Par.While I thought the movie was beautiful as long as it chronicled Ishaan’s world,the stark contrast between Ram Shankar Nikhumb’s character and Ishaan’s fathers character didnt go down well with me.For a film that was as non-cinematic as this,to take shelter in melodrama was a really weak ploy by Aamir.Also,to say that is Aamir’s best performance in recent times is completely ignoring his talents.In my opinion this is one of his weakest performances(perhaps due to the sketching of the character) in a long time.
I actually agree that Nikumbh’s and Ishaan’s father’s characters were based on cinematic stereotypes of the “cool teacher” and “overbearing father” respectively. In fact, the same could be said about the teachers’ roles too. But for me, these were details I chose to ignore because Ishaan’s characterization was the crux of the movie and was too overpowering which made me look over the other ones.
Maybe the fact that Aamir just has 3-4 major sequences which are pretty much similar in nature give you the impression that it was a “weak performance” but I loved it because he was so earnest and natural here….I didn’t find his so-called overhyped “method-acting” in this movie.
Its not as much the ‘number’ of meaty sequences as opposed to the way the character has been conceived that loses Aamir points in my opinion.Yes,it was earnest and natural but certainly not his best in recent times.It was too ‘white’ for my liking,almost giving it the feel of a saint.
I just saw this movie last night and half way after the intermission, I started crying and barely stopped until it was over. It was probably one of my favorite movies of all times. I agree that this movie is one that every parent and teacher should watch. As a teacher, there are so many lessons I got out of it, and I would have to agree that Aamir’s acting was outstanding. I would recommend this film to anyone. It truly was amazing.
i agree wif victor green comment plz stop reserve award for SRKes & Bachchaans and family. This Year best actor should go to Darsheel… Aamir as the best director..
@ Abhinav
Perhaps because Aamir does not have a meaty role, it’s reflected as a “not so power-packed performance”.
But, that’s a credit to him. It could have been so easy for him to overshadow Ishaan, but it was such a subtle performance.
Although, this can definitely not qualify for one of Aamir’s best performances (or even in recent times), unfortunately for his character.
Why compare SRK or Amitabh or any one else or why even talk about them when they themselves were appreciated while doing their job well. They are acheivers in their own right.
Just enjoy watching a good film like TZP and savour the feeling.
Can you not do that?
The appreciation for Darsheel, who I think is a born actor, a prodigy, by film lovers is itself an award.
If one can understand their children better, and give them the life they deserve that in itself is a big award for Darsheel or Aamir, for lovers for Darsheel and Aamir.
I watched this movie last weekend and I was impressed at Aamir’s work and Darsheel’s action. The film appeared to be very realistic and I agree that Aamir did a great job in not overshadowing the role of Ishaan.
nice, i scribbled: no child is special, because, no fucking parent is special. and no child is special, children are children, people dont know how to live civilised, people don’t know how to treat other humans with dignity and respect. people are feared of freedom, as they dont know how to be free. this abuse will keep going, the fathers does it to his son, and the son does it his son, because, they do this to themselves. so movies like these are all entertainment, and people love watching it. like a barking dog that never bites, like me.
a wallpaper i made, in tribute to bring to notice/awareness.
http://gosay.aminus3.com/image/2007-07-01.html
The best hindi film that I’ve seen in the last year. It ain’t perfect but the crop this year wasn’t exceptional.
Aamir does a terrific job as director in his first attempt. There are so many beautiful images and moments in the film where his talent comes to the fore. He makes sure that the common man can understand the film and its message without dumbing down the narrative. He also extracts a superb performance from Darsheel Safary without which the film might not have had the same impact. Darsheel is a revelation and his work is right there with the top performances of 2007. Tisca Chopra and Aamir play adequate supporting parts.
Writer Amol Gupte is the brain behind this film (and was originally supposed to direct it). Without his initiative, research and script, this film wouldn’t exist. However, as usual, the media is preoccupied with giving the credit to the biggest star in the project. I hope that Amol doesn’t get lost in this madness.
Prasoon Joshi’s lyrics are exceptional and succinctly convey so much (as you have correctly pointed out, they convey more than the dialogue in the film). Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s score is in sync with the film. They manage to deliver lasting tunes that are pleasantly different from the average hindi film. Maa and Taare Zameen Par stand out in the soundtrack for the lyrical and musical value as well as the singing (Shankar Mahadevan). Mera Jahan (scored by Shailendra Barve and written by Amol) is delightful too. Special mention for ad filmmaker Ram Madhvani (who also made a feature film called Let’s Talk starring Boman Irani) for directing the Bheja Kam number.
The true worth of this thought-provoking film is in its educational value. The film educates the audience about dyslexia and promotes the idea that every child should be treated with love and respect despite his or her faults. A deeper look at the film brings out a bigger picture. The underlying theme is identifiable to anyone who is looked upon as “different”. Too often, at least in this country, it seems that people live their lives based on templates. They follow the examples of others rather than letting their thinking lead them. One of the problems then is that anything or anyone that does not match the common templates is thought to be “different” or “abnormal” in a negative sense. Even people who are different, adapt over time and conform to what society considers normal or standard. Not the sort of environment that creates or promotes a thinker or a genius or anyone that truly stands out from the crowd and has the ability to set an example for others. Nevertheless, some are able to overcome these barriers and achieve exactly what they want to. This film, therefore, helps promote the thought that being different, in whatever way, isn’t exactly abnormal or wrong.
Aamir and Amol make a positive feel-good commercially-viable film that does not intend to be starkly realistic. This might stand out as a sore point for some. However, I believe it was the right decision because the film has an important message, one that needs to reach the common audience and not just the intelligentsia.
Highly recommended!
Loved Shujath’s review and Sai’s final comment. Loved the film too despite small flaws[caricaturization of some teachers].
Amol Gupte is not being ignored by the media since they are well aware of his immense contribution to the film.The media has featured some interviews with Amole and his editor-conceptualizer wife Deepa Bhatia.Today’s mid-day site has an interview with Amole, where he talks about his next film, one that he will be directing; it is another children-centric film. Read about it at:
http://www.mid-day.com/web/guest/entertainment/bollywood/article?_EXT_5_articleId=912984&_EXT_5_groupId=14
Amole says in his interview that his new film will not feature Aamir['we still have cordial relations'], but star- csat will be determined by new film’s need.The other day Deepa said in another interview, that they were the mother figures of TZP and Aamir the film’s father. Sadly, Gupte and wife have not chosen to be part of the film’s post-production and publicity.TZP is a film where every dept has done its bit in contributing to a fine film. Anyway, Amole’s next film will be eagerly awaited.From Aamir, of course, expectations are always high.