Taare Zameen Par – Review

The story centres around 8 year old Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi played by the talented Darsheel Safary, who happens to be dyslexic. He does not perform well in studies but loves painting. Oblivious to his problem, his parents pack him off to boarding school, hoping that the strict atmosphere will change Ishaan for the better. But boarding school brings about no positive change. Rather, with the added trauma of separation from his family, it only worsens his mental condition. Soon he recedes into a cocoon, becoming sullen and unresponsive and scared. Always scared.

Enter temporary art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh played by Aamir Khan, who charms the students with his out-of-the-box approach. He recognises Ishaan’s problem and convinces his parents and the Principal of the school that he merely needs extra help to be at par with his peers. He takes it upon himself to give him this extra help and slowly brings about an improvement in the child’s academics and also brings him out of the shell he had withdrawn into.

The script is strong. The characters are well etched and there aren’t many of the caricatures and cliches that Bollywood is prone to when dealing with child characters and adult characters in a film about children. The children in the film aren’t singing-dancing innocent little things. Nor do they spout wisdom like an old woman. The situations and characters are real and believable. As an Indian boy who was nine merely 8 years ago, I can see myself in very similar situations. Amol Gupte has done a fine job.

Another interesting feature is the unusual and rather effective use of animation at various points to portray they way Ishaan’s mind works.

The performances are fantastic. Young Darsheel Safary does a wonderful job. He acts with his entire body, the emotions are powerfully portrayed. Aamir Khan, who does not appear until half the movie is over, is as good as ever. The actors who play Ishaan’s parents, have also done a great job.

The music too, is pleasing to the ear. Soothing, soft, and emotional at places, typical guitar dominated rock at others. The  songs also carry the story forward very nicely, becoming an integral part of the plot. Something that is very rare in Bollywood.
That said, the film does have it’s share of cons and short-comings. Ishaan’s improvement in academics appears too rapid making it just a tad unbelievable. The fact that the teachers take little offence at their caricatures during the Art Mela and freely allow themselves to be ridiculed seems unlikely. No teacher has such a great sense of humour when among students, to my knowledge. Cinematic license I guess. It did go with the mood and feel of the scene.

All in all, one of the best films to have been made in recent times. Everyone should watch it, parents, teachers, children. Entertaining yet thought provoking, but not preachy. A must-watch. Indeed so.

Rating: 4.5/5