Aamir Khan starrer "Taare Zameen Pe" (reviews thread)

[DHONI183]

"Taare Zameen Pe" was released yesterday and I was eagerly awaiting for this film ever since I heard of it. I´m yet to watch the film but will hopefully soon.

So what are your thoughts on the film if you have watched it?

[TAK]

Originally Posted by DHONI183 "Taare Zameen Pe" was released yesterday and I was eagerly awaiting for this film ever since I heard of it. I´m yet to watch the film but will hopefully soon. So what are your thoughts on the film if you have watched it?

i think i'll give it a miss...

[mamoo gogo]

Reviews seem good...though it looks like a slow film.

[purplehaze]

It's a nice movie, watch it I would recommend. This movie conveys a good message in an intelligent way. Excellent work by Amir!

Just wish this movie was an ~2 hour one instead of 3 hour.

[alexjohn_tcr]

[QUOTE=DHONI183]"Taare Zameen Pe" was released yesterday and I was eagerly awaiting for this film ever since I heard of it. I´m yet to watch the film but will hopefully soon.

So what are your thoughts on the film if you have watched it?[/QUOTE


Aamir Khan movies are always special. He is one of the finest actors in our country.Taare Zameen par is not a run of the mill story and may not appeal to masses but I am sure it will leave its mark like all other AK movies.I am eagerly waiting for his next movie which is a remake of Tamil mega hit 'Gajini'.


Taare Zameen Par-Sify review

http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/rev...tid=5&cid=2425


Come to think of it, after two back-to-back hits, Aamir Khan could've given a positive nod to any masala flick and chosen to work with anyone he desired. But he preferred to make a film on a dyslexic kid, make him the focal point of the story and don three caps—producer, actor and director.

At the very outset, let's make one thing clear. Taare Zameen Par isn't one of those films that merely entertains, but also enlightens. Taare Zameen Par is one film that makes you peep into a child's mind and how some parents, in their pursuit to make them 'stronger' academically, forget that there's hitherto untapped talent that needs to be nourished and encouraged.

Images: Aamir Khan presents Taare Zameen Par

Taare Zameen Par drives home a strong message, making you empathise with the kid, compelling you to draw parallels with your life, making one realise that some of the renowned geniuses were once scoffed at, but the world had to bow down to their intellect later.

Sure, the film boasts of a story that strikes a chord, but most importantly, it has been treated with such sensitivity and maturity that you're left shell-shocked with amazement by the sheer impact it leaves at the end of the 18-reeler.

Taare Zameen Par heralds the birth of a top-notch storyteller—Aamir Khan. To choose a story that's a far cry from the mundane stuff that's being churned out like factory products requires courage and conviction, and to execute it with panache is a rarity.

Javed Akhtar on the music of Taare Zameen Par

Those who nursed a grudge that the camera follows Aamir in all his films, will have to chew their words once they watch Taare Zameen Par. Yes, Aamir has a key role to portray as an actor, but the camera captures the child's emotions like never before in a Hindi film. Also, let's also clear the myth about it being a kiddie film. It's not! It's about children. Note the difference!

In a nutshell, Taare Zameen Par serves as a wake up call for every parent or parent-to-be. At the end of the day, it's not difficult to choose who's better—Aamir, the actor or Aamir, the director. The film is a triumph from the director's point of view.

Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is an eight-year-old whose world is filled with wonders that no one else seems to appreciate; colours, fish, dogs and kites are just not important in the world of adults, who are much more interested in things like homework, marks and neatness. And Ishaan just cannot seem to get anything right in class.

When he gets into far more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed off to a boarding school to 'be disciplined'. Things are no different at his new school and Ishaan has to contend with the added trauma of separation from his family.

One day a new arts teacher bursts onto the scene, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), who infects the students with joy and optimism. He breaks all the rules of 'how things are done' by asking them to think, dream and imagine, and all the children respond with enthusiasm, all except Ishaan.

Nikumbh soon realises that Ishaan is very unhappy and he sets out to discover why. With time, patience and care, he ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.

On face-value, Taare Zameen Par looks like a kiddie film, but as the story unfolds, you realise that the story peeps into the mind and heart of a kid, his interests, his hobbies, his strengths and weaknesses. The director opens the cards at the very outset, when you realise that the kid is just not interested in books/studies. And his interaction with his stern father, doting mother and lovable brother is straight out of life.

A number of sequences in the first hour leave you spellbound:
Ishaan's altercation with the neighbouring kid over a cricket ball
Ishaan's parents' decision to put him in a hostel and Ishaan's constant pleas falling on deaf ears
Ishaan going into a shell in the boarding school, looking disinterested in life
And the arts teacher punishing him for his inattentive behaviour

There are several moments in the first hour that make you moist-eyed. The bonding between the mother and son is remarkable. These moments effectively capture the special bonding, making you realise that a mother's mere touch can act like a soothing balm on a troubled soul.

Aamir takes the courageous stand of placing the story on Ishaan's shoulders right through the first hour and not once do you feel that the kid doesn't have the power to keep your attention arrested.

The second hour is equally challenging and most importantly, motivating. The introduction of Aamir's character, Aamir spotting the indolent Ishaan, Aamir travelling to Mumbai to meet Ishaan's parents and then citing examples of extra-ordinary men who were ridiculed by their contemporaries/peers—these moments linger in your memory even after the show has concluded.

But the best part is reserved for the finale—the art competition in the penultimate 20 minutes. The emotions reach an all-time high as the boy regains his confidence. The finale would melt even the stonehearted!

Directorially, Aamir deserves distinction marks for extracting an exemplary performance from the kid and handling the plot with supreme sensitivity. In his debut film, Aamir proves that he's a gifted storyteller, someone who has the courage to swim against the tide and also convince the viewer that there's more to filmmaking than the mere masala entertainers. Bravo!

Setu's cinematography is mesmerising. The camera captures every minute detail, every emotion and every tear with precision. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is easy on the ears. Bum bum bole, jame raho and the title track are first-rate compositions. Prasoon Joshi's lyrics in Maa deserve special mention. Editing (Deepa Bhatia) does justice to the material. Only thing, the film, if trimmed (second hour), will only be more impactful. Animation and visual effects are fantastic.

Taare Zameen Par belongs to Master Darsheel Safary—a performance that makes the best of performances pale in comparison. A performance that's impeccable, flawless and astounding. A performance that moves you and makes you reflect on your growing years. A performance that merits a special award!

Aamir is excellent. Note his scenes with the father of the kid. First, when he visits their home. Next, when he cites the example of Solomon Islands. Splendid! Tisca Chopra is outstanding. Here's an actress who needs to be lapped up in a big way by filmmakers.

Tanay Cheda (as Ishaan's friend Rajan Damodaran) is excellent. Vipin Sharma (Ishaan's father) is slightly theatrical. Sachet Engineer (Ishaan's elder brother) is apt. The teachers have performed well.

On the whole, Taare Zameen Par is an outstanding work of cinema. To miss it would be sacrilege. It has everything it takes to win awards and box-office rewards!

Do yourselves a favour. Watch Taare Zameen Par with your child. It will change your world. It will also change the way you look at your kids!

[purplehaze]

Originally Posted by alexjohn_tcr Taare Zameen Par-Sify review http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/rev...tid=5&cid=2425

Rather than the website's review, it's the user comments in response to original review that helps me decide how good a movie is. I typically browse through user comments in rediff movie reviews to get an overall picture.

[Shoaib Akhtar's Fan]

Yeah this is one movie i am really looking foward to watching. Aamir Khan , IMO , is the finest bollywood actor today and it would be interesting to see how well he does as a director.

[Rana]

im going to the the cinema today, is it worth watching or not?

[Ha55an]

Originally Posted by Rana im going to the the cinema today, is it worth watching or not?

it definately is! I have seen it... good film!

[Rana]

Originally Posted by Ha55an it definately is! I have seen it... good film!

better than welcome?

[Rana]

should i watch that film called welcome?

[ZM]

welcome is sooooooo funny i definetly reccommend watching it. One of best comedies ever

[Rana]

Originally Posted by ZM welcome is sooooooo funny i definetly reccommend watching it. One of best comedies ever

just came back from watching welcome!

what a comedy smash hit man!! i couldnt stop lauging!

[Geordie Ahmed]

The kid in that Amir Khan film looks like RonnyD

[suhaib]

saw it yestoday, just about average film.

[DesiMunda]

It's got 9.4 on imdb so far.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0986264/

[IMD Walrus]

It's a really good film, probably Aamir's best work after Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai. I'd recommend it. Must watch.

[majid786]

sound`s like a good movie, might watch it sometime.

[Waq]

Saw it a few days ago at the cinema. It was a superb movie and certainly not your typical bollywood. The soundtrack and acting had a touch of class and if your a prent, will probably be hugging and kissing your child afterwards.

Also, can easily be watched with family without having to turn your head or cover your eyes as there are no saucy scenes!

[IMD Walrus]

The Kid was absolutely fabulous in the movie. Aamir makes a late entry but you never miss him.

[Kashif]

I thought it was a brilliant film which touched a few sensitive issues relating to dyslexia and the old parental obsession of the child who is perfect in everything.

Just watch the film for the child's acting alone and Aamir's brilliant direction.

Those who are looking for their "bollywood masala/mindless plot/hero/heroine/running round bushes songs routine" fix should stay away and watch something that does not stress your brain.

[feather]

Loved it!

[The_Cricket_Devil]

Absolutely brilliant film! Aamir Khan is definitely the best bollywood actor and now also shows that he is no slouch as a director.

It was a beautiful film and very moving. Darsheel Safary played his role as the dyslexic child with class and real emotion. Watch this film now!

[DHONI183]

Originally Posted by ZM welcome is sooooooo funny i definetly reccommend watching it. One of best comedies ever

Oh´ man what a film "Welcome" is ! I laughed my *** off !!!!!!!!

If you are under any stress or tension I will also recommend this film. It was exactly what I needed after all the tension going around in Pakistan.

Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Katrina Kaif, Feroz Khan were all rocking !

I will be watching "Taare Zameen Pe" today .

[pakistani_banda]

its a good movie, enjoyed it.

[nikred]

I always hated bollywood, but people like amir khan gives hope that there is still good talent and brave people to make such good offset films like "taare zameen pe".

I am happy its a success too which will make more people make these kind of films.

[MarathaPride]

Aamir and the kid are pretty good and film is (thankfully) not a typical masala flick, you guys should definitely watch.

[DHONI183]

I was pretty eager to watch the film as I heard few of the people saying that it´s an even better film than 'Rang De Basanti' and I couldn´t believe it because I thought, "Hain ? How Aamir Khan act in an even better film than 'Rang De Basanti ? Unbelieveable !'"

But believe me I can only do the following in the film´s review:

.

[Plasma]

Finally a movie with a meaning, isn't that enough to go watch this then other ones??

Excellent movie, 10/10

recommend it to everyone.

oh and Welcome was hilarious.

[W63L35]

I watched this movie today....................
Can somebody tell me which Hollywood movie it is based upon? Seems like I have read a movie review of a movie with very similar story line.

Help, please!

[Super Misbah]

I watched the full movie today , wow this has to be 1 of the best movies i have ever watched , truly a nice touching film

[W63L35]

OK....found it!
As usual.......Bollywood can't come up with an original idea!

It is based on a book (biography)....."Thank You Mr. Falker"!

http://patriciapolacco.com/books/fal...ker_index.html

....and I don't think, the book was acknowledged in the credits of the movie!

[iZeeshan]

Welcome was the STUPIDEST movie I ever saw! It had one or two funny parts, like, "Shayad yeh raas bhi us key saat chale gaya"! I can't believe some people thought it was great.

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Welcome was the STUPIDEST movie I ever saw! It had one or two funny parts, like, "Shayad yeh raas bhi us key saat chale gaya"! I can't believe some people thought it was great.

[nikred]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Welcome was the STUPIDEST movie I ever saw! It had one or two funny parts, like, "Shayad yeh raas bhi us key saat chale gaya"! I can't believe some people thought it was great.

my friend told me its great. so i sat for about 45 min of the movie and i was like .

it had no connection between scenes esp. the locations, stupid story, stupider characters and i did not even bother to see the rest of the movie.

[Plasma]

seems like both of you are lost, this is for Taare Zameen Pe, not Welcome, Zeeshan's post was so freaking random

[UP]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Welcome was the STUPIDEST movie I ever saw! It had one or two funny parts, like, "Shayad yeh raas bhi us key saat chale gaya"! I can't believe some people thought it was great.

[jatt13]

Originally Posted by Plasma seems like both of you are lost, this is for Taare Zameen Pe, not Welcome, Zeeshan's post was so freaking random

no man read the thread....welcome is mentioned a few times and people said it was hilarious......which i find hard to believe the film was sooooooo stupid

[Sufyan!]

i have wathced it quite a sad movie to be honest

[akpower]

Originally Posted by iZeeshan Welcome was the STUPIDEST movie I ever saw! It had one or two funny parts, like, "Shayad yeh raas bhi us key saat chale gaya"! I can't believe some people thought it was great.

I think it was one of the finest Indian movies I have seen. Technically and artistically it was brilliant. I dont know what what be characterized stupid in that movie. I think it was sensible amongst a hoard of idiotic Indian movies.

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by akpower I think it was one of the finest Indian movies I have seen. Technically and artistically it was brilliant. I dont know what what be characterized stupid in that movie. I think it was sensible amongst a hoard of idiotic Indian movies.

Are you talking about Welcome?

[nikred]

Originally Posted by W63L35 Are you talking about Welcome?

ok now people are really lost

all i can say is both the movies are really sad in their own ways.

[akpower]

Originally Posted by W63L35 Are you talking about Welcome?

My bad I didn't read that, I thought the person was talking about Taare Zameen Par. I haven't watched the other movie.

[nikred]

Originally Posted by akpower My bad I didn't read that, I thought the person was talking about Taare Zameen Par. I haven't watched the other movie.

dont watch it. its one of those idiotic movies you are talking about.

[invincible]

Originally Posted by W63L35 OK....found it! As usual.......Bollywood can't come up with an original idea! It is based on a book (biography)....."Thank You Mr. Falker"! http://patriciapolacco.com/books/fal...ker_index.html ....and I don't think, the book was acknowledged in the credits of the movie!

If you think movie making is all about coming up with an original idea, you seriously shouldn't watch films. There's always an element of commonality in various literary works. It doesnt however imply that the work was merely an unoriginal one.

The originality of TZP is in its subtle treatment of a script as close to reality as it gets. Furthermore, its depicted in the acting department and the treatment of the director.

[W63L35]

Originally Posted by invincible If you think movie making is all about coming up with an original idea, you seriously shouldn't watch films.

Really? Who does Hollywood copy the movies from? If they get the idea/story/copy from some other book, they not list the names in the credits but also PAY royalties to the original author.....
and in your opinion, it not an ethics issue, it is not a Plagiarism, if it was in USA, they would be sued for the royalties. I don't know where to live, but before every Bollywood movie, there is huge warning for $200,000 fine and jail for copying DVD. Why? It is OK for Bollywood to steal/copy from Hollywood but it is not OK to copy a DVD! How pathetic and double standards of Bollywood.

Originally Posted by invincible There's always an element of commonality in various literary works. It doesnt however imply that the work was merely an unoriginal one.

So...you are saying there is NO carbon copies of made in this long list of Bollywood movies and they were mere coincidences? Credits and royalties should not have paid to original writer or producer?
http://www.bollycat.com

Originally Posted by invincible The originality of TZP is in its subtle treatment of a script as close to reality as it gets. Furthermore, its depicted in the acting department and the treatment of the director.

If you trying to justify stealing then fine, I have no problem with that!

Not only movies, the music also gets stolen by Bollywood;
http://www.itwofs.com/

[nikred]

I agree with W63L35. Most of the bollywood movies have taken ideas or the whole story from lots of sources without giving them any credit whatsoever. The link to the book that W63L35 provided shows that book way too similar to TZP to be a coincidence. I hope they dont send this movie for the oscars and embarass India in front of the world.

[IMD Walrus]

Originally Posted by invincible If you think movie making is all about coming up with an original idea, you seriously shouldn't watch films. There's always an element of commonality in various literary works. It doesnt however imply that the work was merely an unoriginal one. The originality of TZP is in its subtle treatment of a script as close to reality as it gets. Furthermore, its depicted in the acting department and the treatment of the director.

I think the film is based on real life experiences of the story and script writer Amole Gupte and his work with 'special' children. That it has similarities with a book could well be just a coincidence.

[Caved12]

Taare Zameen Par is a must watch. This is a movie that you guys should be promoting everywhere and a word of mouth should grow as the time progresses.

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by akpower I think it was one of the finest Indian movies I have seen. Technically and artistically it was brilliant. I dont know what what be characterized stupid in that movie. I think it was sensible amongst a hoard of idiotic Indian movies.

Completely Agree.

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by IMD Walrus I think the film is based on real life experiences of the story and script writer Amole Gupte and his work with 'special' children. That it has similarities with a book could well be just a coincidence.

True. Nowadays, a lot of kids are suffering from "Dyslexic". Even in a movie, they identified people who suffered from this problem. They mentioned a lot of names, Abhishek Bachan, Thomas Edison etc etc.

[Saj]

I wanted to watch this film with my family and finally got the chance today.

Every now and then Bollywood produces a gem and this was it. Fantastic, touching, a really insightful and well made film by Amir Khan.

Definitely recommend it.

[Dhonifan]

Best scene in TZP is when Amir tells the father about the islanders killing trees by cursing it, and the dad slowly realises he is like those islanders, cursing his son till he would have died. Just for that scene Amir should get the national prize cause it was so effective.

[Plasma]

Originally Posted by Dhonifan Best scene in TZP is when Amir tells the father about the islanders killing trees by cursing it, and the dad slowly realises he is like those islanders, cursing his son till he would have died. Just for that scene Amir should get the national prize cause it was so effective.

I thought that scene was the most effective and had the most impact. Seems like we think alike.

[Dhonifan]

Originally Posted by Plasma I thought that scene was the most effective and had the most impact. Seems like we think alike.

Uptil then I was like, 'nice movie but can't see what the fuss is about'. But Aamir really delivered his lines with such understated force, plus that analogy about the trees (wow, do they really do that in the carribean) it just blew me away.

[Dhonifan]

Originally Posted by Caved12 True. Nowadays, a lot of kids are suffering from "Dyslexic". Even in a movie, they identified people who suffered from this problem. They mentioned a lot of names, Abhishek Bachan, Thomas Edison etc etc.

I believe Aamir's kids are/were dyslexic too.

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by Plasma I thought that scene was the most effective and had the most impact. Seems like we think alike.

allow me to say the same.

[Caved12]

Originally Posted by Dhonifan I believe Aamir's kids are/were dyslexic too.

Could be.

[Boi]

I had the movie for a long time byt i couldnt have anytime to watch it!

Eventually i watchjed it last night and what a great movie i just loved!!

Brilliant acting by amir and that little kid!!!

[DHONI183]

The little kid, Darsheel, received the Critics Award for the Best Actor (in 53rd Filmfare Awards). Well deserved !!!