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Taare Zameen Par- A Treat to Childhood


I would not say I was badly waiting for the movie Taare Zameen Par, like I do for every Aamir Khan release. Probably I was too busy with work, but I took time out to do other less –important work. So when my cousin sent me an email asking to see TZP, he added this line: " If you haven't watched it yet... pls apologize to aamir and curse urself for craving for a ticket to Om Shanti or Kabhi Alvida… and then go and watch Taare....It’s special..."

But isn’t every AK movie special? Is not every AK movie unique? So what is new in this movie? Probably I was just bored with the novelity of every AK movie and so did not grab this one on the day of its release.

But I could not ignore it longer. Yesterday I hit the theatre for the movie. The name had a parenthesis… Every child is special. Well, this was not thought provoking for me. After studying 6 years for degrees which partly related with childhood speech and language disorders, I grew up with the idea...“Disabled are differently able”.

So how this movie is different from other AK movies? Probably the answer is in the promos. With the picture of Ishaan in front you almost miss Aamir at the back. Aamir, who also directed the movie, only entered the scene a little before interval, and Bingo, all this time, I never realized his absence. Ishaan (cast by Darsheel) almost binds the viewers with his dreams, his interests, hobbies, his clever mischief, energetic impishness, strengths and weakness. There are moments in the film when probably all of us will identify ourselves with Ishaan. “If you don’t behave, you will be sent to boarding school” and “I am leaving home for you, I will not come back”… these are the threatening parents have used against their children for time immemorial.

It is beyond my ability to comment about the technical side of the story, or how good Aamir proved himself as a Director. The moment’s which moved are Ishaan’s mom, cast by Tisca Chopra. Her attachment to her child and silent support.. The disbelief in Ishaan’s eyes when he was finally left behind in the boarding school. Ishaan’s silence when his parents told they are not coming to see him on Saturday. Prasun Joshi’s lyrics in the song Maa.

In fact, once the movie was over, I was thinking about Ishaan and Ishaan. It is like how it is called in Bollywood terms “taken the whole responsibility of the film on his shoulder”. Probably this is the brilliance of Aamir as a director. The camera never lingered on his face or eyes unnecessarily (as you would have seen had Nikum Sir been cast by any other Khan or Bachchan, or TZP was directed by Johar, Verma or Banshali).

Though there are few things which I did not agree as a fan of AK. Nikum Sir as a teacher for special children did not bother to send the child for an assessment. He did not clear the father’s idea that dyslexic does not relate with mental retardation, and only occur to children with average, above average and gifted intelligence. Dyslexia is not a neurological disorder. Well, I cannot surely ignore the brilliance of the film for this.

If you still have not seen the movie, just go and have a look.

Just to appreciate that beyond our perception of normality, there exist other normal worlds.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

totally agreed with u. i think u r not only good in playing with words but equally good in evaluating things sensibly. a good piece of critical evaluation.
u r very good as a movie critic. the way u have analysed the movie is awesome.
regarding technical flaws this is a common practice in bollywood. had it been released in hollywood, TZP team might hav got sued(...for MR things)i beleive.

Sundar said...

Your Blogg is really good Moumita. You have great writing skills!!

Unknown said...

hi,,,u ll feel nice to know that in this year's(2008) 1st film festival TZP has bagged 6 awards, including best director (beating chak de india) and best supporting actor (AK for both)and best child actor n so...

Munmun said...

Yeah I agree with you: the movie was great in almost every aspect. It is one of those rare bollywood movies which proves that mushy gushy romance or action is not required to make a good movie or drive people to the theaters.

After watching the movie it re-iterated to me how parochial our definitions of excellence are: I remember the scene where Ishaan's father gets worried about how his son going to tackle the competitive world- he can't become another engineer, doctor or manager. As a person I have always admired Art more than Science (despite my academic background). Also the movie shows that those who are gifted in Art are the special gifted few! The movie made me feel a sense a relief to a world driven by Art, creativity and nurturing the inherent excellence in one and all. I wish every child gets a teacher like Nikumbh Sir...

Moumita said...

@ Manas,

Yeah, but the best movie award went to Chak De India. Well, we cant complainc on that sector. It was made equally well.

Not that award always matters. But let's wathch out for other awards.

Moumita said...

@ Munmun,

Its like to fit into the society, you need to abide by the rules. So u r considered intelligent only you if you cracked the big competitive exams.

We can't blame Ishaan's father for having such expectations. Hopefully, such strict notions are changing, as you have said your admiration for the unbeaten path. Hopefully, we will learn to be more tolerant as parents.

Unknown said...

yup, you are right....
me too, like both the movies, n for me comparing them is difficult coz they r far different in thier movie plot.
anyways, whats up? no more frog tales...these days...
hope to read many more forg tales in near future....

Matangi Mawley said...

a candid, no-nonsense movie, no doubt. has been really a long long time, since bollywood has seen such a movie. Amir Khan has a surprise for his fans almost all the times.. n this time,it s as a director!
u have written very well.. think i ll read u more! :)
keep writing!

Ragu Kattinakere said...

felt was a bit slow in the begining. Pickedup speed later on, very well. Good analysis. Thanks

Moumita said...

@ matangi

Thanks, keep reading.

Moumita said...

@ Ragu

Thanks.

bibhu.....(DORA) said...

its really a very good writing..
I hav a question 4 u? hav u cried when u saw the movie ?

Moumita said...

@ Bibhu,

Well not much. A little misty eyed over the 'Ma' song.

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