Aamir Khan

Big B in Aamir Khan’s film!

We don’t know whether it’s true, but as per the rumor mills there’s something more to the recently formed mutual admiration society between Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan. While both the stars are busy in their own way, rumours suggest that Aamir is planning his next film as a director with Big B in the lead. But apparently their lips are sealed until the project is ready to roll. A great idea, we must say!



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Aamir Khan salutes Darsheel’s principal

Aamir Khan’s directorial debut Taare Zameen Par is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated films on education in recent times. The actor asked Darsheel Safary’s school principal to launch the DVD of TZP as he wanted to dedicate the film to all principals and teachers. Darsheel, the protagonist of the film, plays a dyslexic child, who with the support of his teacher, (played by Aamir) overcomes his disability. Aamir strongly feels that principals and teachers play a vital role in moulding children. In fact, Darsheel’s principal is an example of how educationists should allow children to grow and realise their dreams — she has been instrumental in giving Darsheel permission to shoot for TZP.

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Taare Zameen Par (TZP) - movie review

Taare Zameen Par (TZP), Aamir Khan's directorial venture lives up to the huge expectations one attaches to the perfectionist actor. The movie manages to sensitively portray the problems of a dyslexic child and yet doesn't come across as boring or preachy; it is entertaining and a beautifully made film. Must give credit to the writer and creative director, Amol Gupte who wrote such a sensitive script and had the courage to give the directorial charge to someone else.

Director, producer and supporting-actor, Aamir Khan gets full marks for this film. I said supporting-actor because Aamir is not the star of this film; the real star is the nine-year old, Darsheel Safary who plays the character of a dyslexic child. Darsheel as Ishaan Awasthi is brilliant and you connect with him emotionally right from the first scene. Ishaan's problem is not understood by his family, friends and teachers and he's packed off to a boarding school, where he finds even more difficult to cope up with life. Thankfully, he meets Nikumbh Sir (Aamir), a temporary art teacher who understands his problem and decides to help him. Other child actors who play Ishaan's brother, Yohaan (played by Sachet Engineer) and best friend, Rajan (played by Tanay Cheda) are also very good. Special mention for Tisca Chopra who plays the role of Ishaan's mother (Maya Awasthi) who is torn between her husband and child with immense maturity. Ishaan's father played by Vipin Sharma is convincing as a father who wants his children to succeed in every field without realising that he is being cruel.

The movie has many special moments that involve you emotionally and make your eyes moist - the simplicity of the film is what ends up being the best thing about it. The climax though quite predictable is extremely well-shot and leaves you with a lump in the throat. Music is nice and blends in well with the mood of the film. Ishaan's introduction song and ‘Maa’ are two wonderful songs. The director uses animation very well to showcase the child’s imagination and creative thinking. Think of a war between the third and the ninth planet in the solar system - Earth and Pluto to answer a math problem of what is three times nine (3X9).

TZP is a comment on the Indian education system that emphasises a lot on academics without letting a child develop his/her natural talent. It is also a comment on parents who constantly compare their children with others, expect them to score nothing less than 95 percent and even hit them. TZP is not a film for kids but is for everyone including parents and teachers.

All in all, TZP is one of the best films this year and hats off to Aamir Khan for letting a child-actor take all the limelight, even in the opening credits (Darsheel's name appears before Aamir, which is unusual in a film industry where seniority or saleability of an actor decides his/her place in the credits).

Clearly a movie worthy of standing ovation...

My Rating: **** 1/2 Four and a half stars