Andhra Pradesh

Tugging at the heartstrings

Two to tango: Aamir Khan and Darsheel Safary.

Film: Taare Zameen Par

Cast: Aamir Khan, Darsheel Safary

Direction: Aamir Khan

It is one of the most awaited directorial debuts among a generation of cinema goers. A few early minutes of “Taare Zameen Par” and one can say with certainty every minute of eager anticipation has been well spent. Aamir Khan’s first film at the helm of affairs tells us you do not need a convulsion to make history.

“Taare Zameen Par” may not make it to the ‘best films ever’ category but it is a film worth every second you spend in the cinema hall. Time and money’s worth, here Aamir takes half a step beyond the parameters of conventional Bollywood-style filmmaking; then delivers a sterling performance, as a hero, as a director. Understated but authoritative, he makes full use of Amol Gupte’s wonderful script. He does not mock at his peers, but takes digs at a society that talks of individual supremacy but blocks all attempts at going beyond the trite.

For starters, Aamir is the hero but the real ‘hero’ is boy wonder Darsheel Safary who acts with his eyes, speaks a thousand words without uttering one. He gets to play, act and behave as a child. In this case, he is a child with special abilities.

Yes, we have seen films on serious illnesses affecting the protagonists in the past, but probably none comes even close to handling dyslexia the way Aamir has. There is a sensitivity that comes only to the well meaning. There is a restraint that comes only to the professional. Thus even as Aamir, as an arts teacher, puts his hand up to rescue the life and career of the kid scorned by all, there is never a dull moment.

Here even when the film talks about a serious medical disorder, there is no boredom, just a wish that the child would rise above the obstacle!

That he does, predictably too. Yet again, Aamir saves the day. Even as the climax gets too long, his own charisma comes into play. Now add a dash of situational humour, some good show from character artistes, a couple of lilting songs with lyrics that tug at your heart. And what have you got? A film you should see today so that you don’t make the mistakes the parents of the protagonist do here. It is a film you should watch with mum, dad, son, daughter, and all those who love cinema. And all those who love children.

“Taare Zameen Par” may not bring the heavens to earth, but it takes you to a special world, where every child is a star in his own right.

ZIYA US SALAM

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