I was really disheartened when I learned that the multiplexes would be staying away for the premier of Taare Zameen Par and Welcome. And true enough, there were no online bookings for this, even on the day of the release. So, I decided to sacrifice the expensive popcorn and coke, and go to the local cinema theatre to get my Friday morning fix. And I was really surprised to see long queues, and tickets being sold in black to see this particular movie.

At the start of the movie itself, I could say it was worth it. Ishaan Awasthy (Darsheel Safary, extremely natural with a disarming bucktoothed smile) is an eight-year-old boy, who lives in his own world of colors, dogs, fishes, mud puddles, kites, and such important things. He seemingly does not give two hoots about studies in school, much to the exasperation of his teachers and parents alike, and spends most of his time in school looking out of the window, or standing outside the classroom. His teachers think he is stupid, and his father thinks he is just lazy. His mother and his prodigal brother dote on him, but are constantly worried about him. The boy is constantly punished at school, ridiculed by his father, and his only escape from all this is splashing some colors to make his imagination come alive, every now and then.

Finally, an infuriated father decides to send Ishaan to a boarding school (to discipline him, and hammer some sense in him) in Panchgani, against everyone’s wishes in the house. Ishaan is heartbroken and scared, and pleads with his father, but the father has made up his mind. So the family drops him off at the boarding school, leaving him all alone and sad.

Things are no different here either. The boy is constantly punished, ridiculed, and almost written off as a kid with a bad attitude and a failure. The boy who comes first in class is his only friend, and feels for him, but doesn’t know what to do. Soon, the boy goes into a shell, and stops talking altogether, often looking out at nothing in particular, with tear tracks on his cheeks.

Taare Zameen Par is one of the few sensitive movies I have seen in a long time. Yes, the promos failed to impress me (but I would have watched in anyway), since most of the movies involving kids have extremely obnoxious, over-confident, and self-important children who just want to make me kill, or maim them. Last week, on a long-distance call, my reviewer argued with me that Aamir Khan is a perfectionist (a cliché’ which I have often winced at), and this movie being his production should be a well-thought-out, well-made movie. I had scoffed at her at then, and reminded her of the epic disaster called Mela (starring Khan, and his now estranged brother Faizal Khan). But now I am eating my words – no, gulping them down by the mouthful. Taare Zameen Par is indeed, a wonderful movie.

It's quite a surprise to see a movie on a subject that has never been broached before. There have been many movies made on ‘sensitive’ subjects, but most of them either make a mockery of the subject or are not well researched enough (Black being a fine example), or go down the extreme-emotional way, often ridiculing the subject matter (Mein Aisa Hi Hoon with Ajay Devgan and Sushmita Sen; a VERY badly enacted copy of the sensitive I am Sam with Sean Penn and Michelle Pfeiffer). Taare Zameen Par, on the other hand, is not only refreshingly original, but is even funny in parts, at the same time being very sensitive. And yes, they have researched the topic very well indeed.

Tisca Chopra as his mother impresses in every frame. She is torn between her other child (who does exceptionally well everywhere) her husband (who is self-important, has no time for anything, and thinks boys should be treated as boys, often with an iron hand). The expressions come naturally to her, and you wonder if this is the same woman who came in such disastrous movies as Baali Umaar ko Salaam and Platform. She is an under-rated actress, who should be seen more on screen.

Aamir Khan impressed me, after a long time again. The last good movie I saw of him was Gulaam, (Laagan being a joint effort) and after that he mostly disappointed me with movies like Fanaa. He is often accused of interfering in the making of most of his movies, but since the movie is MADE by him, it is very apparent, and delightfully so. When he is teary eyed, you know it may not be glycerin. And his smile reaches his eyes, without a hint of fake, or malice. Though his introduction song made me wince a little (it looks out of place – sort of), you can feel the pain, the angst, the affection, and the sarcasm when he delivers his dialogues. The fact that he is also the director of the movie, helps.

The attention to detail can be seen in every frame of the movie. From the tattered walls of the school, to the overworked but diligent mommy, Ishaan taking out a booger out of his nose, and aiming it before flinging it, the strict but often unintentionally funny teachers – its everywhere. The cinematography of the movie is breathtaking, and so is the photography, and the set designs (which are almost non-existent, since most of the movie is shot at actual locations). The music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is very hummable, and they have compiled an impressive soundtrack. The lyrics of most of the songs remind you of Gulzar, though they are written by Prasoon Joshi (very, very good, since I was totally unimpressed by Rang De Basanti). Though I should point out that inclusion and filming of all the songs could have been avoidable, since it just lengthens the movie (three full hours!)

Overall, Taare Zameen Par is a triumph, a winner. And no, it’s not a children’s movie. In all fairness, it is an adult movie, and I suggest everyone with a heart go watch it. Mister Aamir Khan, I salute you.

- Editor smartneeds.com