Taare Zameen Par - Fabulous

We had to wait till the end of the 2007 to watch the finest Hindi movie of the year and possibly one of the finest ever. Aamir Khan, as debutant director has delivered a sensitive narrative that remains faithful to the cause it expouses, without resorting any antics. That sincerity is the strength of the movie. Creative director and writer Amol Gupte too deserves credit for writing such a tight and well-researched script. It is to the credit of the both Aamir and Gupte, that they have handled their professional differences with maturity, to bring to the audiences an idea they sincerely believed in.

And what a movie it has been! It would be blasphemous in a Bollywood movie that the lead superstar makes an entry at the intermission, plays second fiddle to a boy and there is no romantic angle. But, Aamir pulls it off. Darsheel Safary gives a touching and endearing performance as the imaginative, dyslexic kid. I can't forget the way the boy says 'Bindaas' after giving a Maths test, that shows an attitude. He is the star of the show. Aamir weaves this fascinating depicition of the imaginative world around the child with bright colours and wonderful animation that you yearn for it. And the music carries the narrative forward. The music, the lyrics and the choreography are in perfect sync, especially in the track 'Jame Raho'. Aamir plays the teacher's role competently without overdoing it. I could not even miss the song and documentary which plays with the credits at the finale.

Taare Zameen Par is not just the story of a dyslexic kid. It is the story of a lot of kids, whose creativity is curbed under stifling competition, and of parents who want the best for their kids' future. Their dilemma in doing a balancing act between survival, ensuring a secure life for their kids and allowing them the optimum level of freedom is not to be overlooked. The movie has raised the right questions. Have you felt that the roles of the parents and teachers in the movie were too stereotypical? I don't think so, I could relate everything I saw to what I have experienced.

Well, it is difficult to describe the movie in words, but it is still worth the effort. This deserves running for the Oscars, it is one which will appeal to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters' sensibilities. But that is not be, atleast not as India's official entry.

The movie's takeaway:
Tu Dhoop Hain Jham Se Bikhar
Tu Hai Nadee O Bekhabar
Beh Chal Kahin Ud Chal Kahin
Dil Khush Jahan Teri Toh Manzil Hai Wahin