Cast: Aamir Khan (Ram Shankar Nikumbh), Darsheel Safary (Ishaan Awasthi), Tisca Chopra (Maya Awasthi), Vipin Sharma (), Sachet Engineer (Yohaan Awasthi), Tanay Cheda (Rajan Damodaran)

Director: Aamir khan

When there is colour, vibrancy and liveliness, we are bound to get entertained. But when these things get delicately tied together through the strings of soul, a film gets a different sparkle altogether.

And that is why Taare Zameen Par would stay with us for a long-long time.

Ishaan Awasthi, an 8-year-old boy, lives in his own world, which is woven by his dreams and imagination. But unfortunately no one, neither his family nor his teachers, can make sense of his wonder world. They find him undisciplined. They compare him to his bright elder brother. And when they feel completely at loss with him, they pack him off to a boarding school, hoping to transform this ‘disobedient duffer’ into a well-behaved boy.

The story at the boarding school too, is no different. Things worsen. With no family, no friends and equally demanding teachers, Ishaan goes on to become lonely.

Not for long though! In comes his art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh, who understands the much misunderstood dyslexic boy and realises that Ishaan is simply extra special!

Instead of imposing and enforcing work, Nikumbh helps Ishaan explore his hidden talents.

This outstanding work of cinema is a result of perfection from all perspectives. It subtly highlights the gifts bestowed upon handicapped children, the sensitivity with which these special kids need to be treated, the lackadaisical approach of the society and various other unwanted factors.

The film runs for slightly more than two and a half hours but the beautifully crafted script would not allow a sense of discomfort to seep in. The creative team comprising of writer and creative director Amol Gupte and Deepa Bhatia have brilliantly pieced together the entire screenplay, giving the apt emphasis on details when needed.

Setu’s camerawork is brilliant and yet extremely simple. It adds weight to the ongoing performances.

The songs blend well with the events and the music goes on to add another strong voice to the film. The lyrics of ‘Maa’ by Prasoon Joshi would touch the deepest chord of the heart.

But what adds power to the film is the character of Ishaan Awasthi, enacted by Darsheel Safary. He is bound to leave everyone spellbound. Every expression, every word, and every tear of his would get absorbed. The punch with which Ishaan comes to life Darsheel can truly be called the show stealer!

Aamir Khan, like any other time, delivers an effortless performance.

Everyone else is an additional strength. Tisca Chopra as Maya Awasthi and Ishaan’s mother is stupendous. During the song ‘Maa’, every mother’s heart would go out to her.

All the other kids, including Sachet Engineer, who plays Ishaan’s elder brother and Tanay Cheda as Rajan Damodaran (Ishaan’s best friend), are wonderful.

Now for the director. If Aamir, the actor, is brilliant then Aamir the director is no less. It is no cakewalk to make a debut with such an offbeat cinema. And that too, without the usual running around the trees and the oomph factor. But then when did Aamir fear risks!

Looking into every detail and addressing all aspects, director Aamir Khan surely deserves full marks.

Not a scene passes by without having made an impression on the audiences’ mind and not once does a character cry and feel without making the audience sense the emotion.

Taare Zameen Par cannot be missed. Because it is different. Because it is delightful. Because it would make everyone think. Because it would help everyone grow. Because very rarely do performances get so gripping. And of course because the ‘perfectionist’ actor has shaped into a ‘perfectionist’ director.

So go and grow.