Taare Zameen Par   Producer: Aamir Khan Director: Aamir Khan Starring: Aamir Khan, Tanay Chheda, Darsheel Safary, and Tisca Chopra Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Shailendra Barve (Guest) Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi and Amole Gupte (Guest) Genre: Drama Recommended Audience: General Approximate Running Time: 2 hrs 45 minutes Film Released on: 21 December 2007 Reviewed by: Aakash Gandhi  - Rating: 8.5 / 10 More Reviews and Analysis by PB Critics:     • Feature Review by Amodini Sharma - Rating: 7.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Music Review

Why? Why is it that all should be bound by conformity? Why do we expect those we seek to enlighten to understand the way we wish them to understand? For it is not so easy. In an attempt to breed our growing children into contenders to tread the competitive battlefield we call life, we conveniently overlook the individuality that dwells within them all. This unique individuality is what makes each and every child special. This is the broadened subject that Taare Zameen Par attempts to caress.

Fifteen percent of the world's population is in some way, shape, or form affected by a developmental learning disability, stemming from Dyslexia - difficulty in the interpretation of Symbols (i.e. reading and writing). Taare Zameen Par deals with a child's struggle against dyslexia and one man's compassion to care.

For those who are not aware, the story of TZP's birth is as follows - Writer/Director Amole Gupte had a vision. He then conceptualized his vivid revelation into a rather impressive script and then offered the role to Aamir. Aamir, although quite captivated by Gupte's script and story, felt Gupte the Director was not doing justice to Gupte the Writer. He offered some suggestions to Gupte, leaving the door open for him to give the film to a different actor. But that was not to be, as Gupte realized that if any man was to give his idea the perfect touch it would be Aamir Khan. So Amole Gupte took a backseat as Creative Director and let Aamir take the headman's chair. And the rest is, as they say, history...

The final product is undoubtedly the work of a perfectionist. Every scene, every frame has been artistically and cinematically articulated by utmost reality and heart-felt sincerity. This is why cinema was created - to enlighten and to broaden horizons.

Many may not realize how difficult it is for an individual to act in a film he has directed. And although there is room for improvement, Khan succeeds in his effort to effectively portray the pressures and misjudgments that are heavily placed on these children's shoulders. Unfortunately, the single flaw in this film lies in Gupte's script - as it tends to place too much emphasis on these pressures. Khan and Gupte spend the entire pre-interval portion on the symptoms of dyslexia, when in fact the film should place more emphasis on the solution (the most important part of a child and parent's battle against dyslexia). Because of this, the solution appears to be rushed and over-simplified during the mid post-interval segments.

Apart from that, the film succeeds on multiple fronts, including the performances. The few detractors of Aamir Khan tend to fall back on the criticism that Aamir is only at his peak because of the films he chooses to work with. Now explain me this - How many great films would you say have poor or even average performances by the lead actor(s)? The crux of any story is the character(s) that make up that story. The script, screenplay, direction are all channeled and perceived by the viewer through that character. Therefore, if a character is not played convincingly - the brilliant direction, immaculate script, and powerful dialogue will have gone in vain; resulting in a dead film.

Aamir's triumphs and achievements as an artist lie not in his courage to conquer new grounds, but to have the poise and skill to master those new grounds. The man proves his genius yet again with Ram Shankar Nikumbh in Taare Zameen Par. And even though his screen presence alongside Ishaan, the dyslexic child, is limited, the unparalleled and beautiful relationship they share is unmistakable. It should also be noted that his role as a director has in no way disrupted the flow and charm with which the man acts.

The undeniable muse, without whom this film could not have been made, is the brilliant child actor Darsheel Safary. His remarkably expressive physical and facial behavior is a sight to bear witness to. Soaring under the wings of Khan (as an actor and a character), Darsheel surreptitiously transforms into Ishaan, winning over one and all with his authentic portrayal of a dyslexic savant.

Contrary to popular belief, Dyslexia is not a disability. It is a hidden ability. It is merely the job of those closest to care enough to tap into the child's mind. And once you find the key, unimagined treasures will flourish. Aamir Khan has put his heart into a film that will not only help to create awareness, but will help rid the population of disheartened victims who could help transform the world - only if the world cared to help transform them.

Aakash Gandhi is Managing Editor and Senior Writer for Planetbollywood.com. He also freelances for the Asian Variety Show at avstv.com.