Taare Zameen Par: Don't Believe The Critics! review

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Anirddha Basu responds to Bikas Mishra's review of Taare Zameen Par

I walked into the theatre expecting to see the worst Hindi movie of the year (barring Aag and Aap Ka Suroor). Bikas’ review on Taare Zameen Par was so convincing that I admit I had fallen for it without even giving Taare a chance. Now I feel like a bit of a fool, but at least I have got a chance to be fair.

Watching Taare is an experience in itself. And its not because it’s a cinematic work of art (its certainly not that). But I cannot remember last seeing a film where the entire first half was focused on the wanderings and anguish of an abnormal child (played so beautifully by Darsheel Safary). We see the world through the boy’s eyes. Ishaan is completely isolated, and has only a couple of neighborhood dogs as friends. He suffers silently. He knows he is different but is too young to understand why.

Agreed there were problems in the execution : the boy’s father was an exaggeration -his behaviour veering between indifference and borderline abusive-and it was a bit hard to believe that no-one, not even the parents would realize that he had a learning disorder. But there was so much in the movie so very close to heart. Peer pressure, social humiliation, rejection‘¦is there anyone who hasn’t been through all this? The sequence when Ishaan bunks school and simply wanders around town is simply amazing. I still don’t know why it works so beautifully, but it just..does. All this is handled in a whimsical, quirky manner and Aamir Khan’s passion-and sympathy-towards the condition of the child-protagonist is only too apparent.

Khan makes his entrance exactly midway. That scene didn’t quite work. His barging in as a clown seemed extreme and also jarring to the languid mood which had been set so far

But post-interval, Khan settles down to give a natural performance and wisely doesn’t overshadow Safary with any more antics. We learn then what most of us already suspected, that Ishaan has dyslexia, and that the teacher himself also had the same condition when he was young. (It came as a surprise that even Abhishek Bachchan had this problem!) The solution is simple, yet challenging. Increase the child’s confidence. Make him realize he is not alone in this world. It doesn’t take much. A pat on the back and some companionship and understanding would do the trick. But apparently, even that is hard to find.

The climax also worked for me, despite the sheer predictability. But then its all about the journey, not the destination, isn’t it? Who needs gimmicky surprises or unnecessary plot developments in a movie grappling with such heart rendering issues? It worked because it had humour, we felt a certain psychological satisfaction in seeing those nasty teachers caricaturized, and it worked because it had passion. Ishaan simply had to win. Otherwise what a terrible injustice it would be! Doesn’t matter even if real life doesn’t have such happy endings.

As a director Khan thankfully does not employ any cinematic flourishes or metaphors, but tells a simple tale in a simple manner, with some nice music and stunning photography along the way.

But the film is not entirely about Dyslexia. Its also about the pain in being rejected. And that’s where Taare really hits bull’s eye. Nobody understands Ishaan, but at least he dares to dream.

And yes loved the opening credits, simply fantastic. Also liked the fact that Aamir sheds his star ego and let the child actor receive top billing during the credits!

If you want to experience innocence on screen again, if you want to understand the pain in being outcaste, go and watch this film. Taare proves that a film doesn’t have to be cinematically perfect to speak to the heart. True passion always comes calling.

Giving this film one star was so unfair Mr Mishra! I personally give it three and a half :smile:

My rating: 3.5 stars