Director: Aamir Khan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Darsheel Safary and Vipin Sharma
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Few actors in Bollywood are as celebrated as Aamir Khan. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the best actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it is college students, wrestlers or cricket players, Khan has portrayed several strong characters. Khan’s greatest strength as an actor in India is his sheer commitment to each role. Khan has always poured his heart and soul into his characters. An inspirational icon in India, Khan has become a beloved figure in Bollywood Cinema. Through his abilities to portray characters which prove to be compelling, Khan has crafted a powerful legacy that’s lasting. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Khan has never lost his abilities to make engaging entertainment. Considered a living legend in India, Khan has produced several unforgettable movies throughout his career that are definitely worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Aamir Khan and adore all the films he has made throughout his career. However, “Taare Zameen Par” would easily be my favourite film. Released in 2007, Aamir Khan’s film did an extraordinary job of portraying the life of a kid with Dyslexia on the big-screen. It was one of the first ever movies in India to address the disease of Dyslexia. Packed with powerful production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s one of the best movies Bollywood has ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Aamir Khan, who embodies a caring teacher devoting his life to assisting a child suffering from Dyslexia. Ultimately, the film delivers a meaningful message which will resonate with everyone that has witnessed a debilitating intellectual disability. A mesmerizing Indian masterpiece about disability, there are many strong reasons why it’s a commemorated movie that’s worth watching.
Set in modern Mumbai, “Taare Zameen Par” tells the story of a boy which suffers from an intellectual disability. Darsheel Safary plays Ishaan, a mischievous boy that has trouble passing classes in his school. Ishaan has a huge imagination being drawn towards art. That being said, his parents ignore his skills due to his misbehaviour in school. Tired of his naughty behaviour, Ishaan’s parents send him to a strict boarding school. Initially, all hope seems to be lost for Ishaan. However, his life forever changes when he’s assisted by his caring art teacher Ram Shankar (Aamir Khan). Investigating the child, Shankar discovers that Ishaan suffers from Dyslexia. Encouraging Ishaan to pursue his passion for art, Shankar forever changes the life of a disabled child that’s been torn apart.
Aamir Khan is a newcomer towards stories of children with intellectual disability. Before he directed “taare Zameen Par”, Khan had never made a movie about Dyslexia before. It was Khan’s first attempt to capture the lives of children suffering from intellectual disabilities in India, but he succeeded immensely. Through strong cinematography, Khan captures the lonely life of a child suffering from intellectual disability. Visually, the film is a feast for the eyes. Khan successfully uses montages to capture the life of a child which suffers from severe Dyslexia. For instance, musical montages enhance the runaway scene. During this memorable scene, Ishaan runs away from school during break to explore the city of India. One admires strong montages capturing the lives of children suffering from intellectual disabilities. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. In Indian movies, musical montages can often become a distraction in movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” proved, montages elevate Indian movies about power of friendship. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Khan captures the obstacles which dyslexic children are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Taare Zameen Par” that’s worth recognizing is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well-made. Khan effectively uses production-design of classrooms to capture the lives of children with intellectual disabilities. For instance, the classroom settings enhance the boarding school scene. During this heartfelt scene, Ishaan struggles adjusting to life in his new boarding school. One admires classroom settings showcasing hardships that children suffering from severe intellectual disabilities are enduring. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music is integral to the film’s success. It gives the movie a whimsical atmosphere capturing the painful burden that dyslexic children bear. Using gorgeous production-design, Khan captures children facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Taare Zameen Par” is a classic which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture the hardships faced by a child suffering from intellectual disabilities. In India, most movies seldom offer an authentic depiction of individuals which suffer from disabilities. Most movies often portray children with intellectual disabilities as victims without any control over their sad destinies. Fortunately, however, “Taare Zameen Par” is a rare film that avoids these stereotypes. Khan effectively uses symbolism to capture the life of a child with Dyslexia. Throughout the movie, art becomes a powerful symbol which allows Ishaan to cope with a disability that has torn his life apart. For instance, symbolism elevates the art competition scene. During this strong scene, Ishaan participates in a passionate art competition which he ends up winning. Ishaan’s painting becomes a symbol of hope in life as a child suffering from intellectual disability. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using a strong screenplay, Khan captures the hardships experienced by dyslexic kids in India today.
One admires astonishing performances.
Darsheel Safary delivers one of his greatest career performances as Ishaan. In his first ever leading role, Safary embodies a child suffering from Dyslexia whose doomed life spirals out of control. It isn’t easy to depict the personality of a kid suffering from a severe intellectual disability but he succeeds immensely. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and resentment of a child which struggles to cope with a painful intellectual disability. For a child actor, Safary showcases wisdom beyond his years. It’s an amazing performance from one of the most talented young actors working in the Indian industry today.
Aamir Khan is amazing as an art teacher seeks to assist a disabled child whose life has been torn apart. While Safary gets the showier role, Khan is also excellent as a teacher which seeks to help students attain their life goal. Khan is one of those actors that has often thrived at playing mentor figures in movies, and “Taare Zameen Par” showcased his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s silently assisting Ishaan with his art work or enthusiastically teaching a class of students through music, Khan deftly uses his powerful voice to capture the persona of a teacher. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest movie-stars working in India today.
Finally, “Taare Zameen Par” will earn everyone’s appreciation for capturing hardships faced by children with intellectual disabilities in India today. Unlike most Bollywood movies which tend to be targeted towards a specific Indian audience, the film’s universal themes will appeal towards everyone. The film tackles relatable themes including bullying, mental health and education which would resonate with everyone. It delivers a universal message about intellectual disabilities which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Taare Zameen Par” is one of those rare Bollywood movies which everyone would adore.
Fans of Aamir Khan will definitely appreciate “Taare Zameen Par” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A mesmerizing masterpiece about Dyslexia, it celebrates a legendary actor in India with charisma that has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema.
Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic film that painted a powerful portrait of intellectual disabilities causing the lives of Indian children to deteriorate, it’s a phenomenal reminder of a legendary Bollywood actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to captivate audiences that thrives making entertainment which seeks educate the public about important social issues rarely discussed in society whose timeless films audiences always appreciate.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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