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Ishaan Awasthi is an eight-year-old whose world is filled with wonders that no one else seems to appreciate. Colours, fish, dogs, and kites don't seem important to the adults, who are much more interested in things like homework, marks, and neatness. Ishaan cannot seem to get anything right in class; he is then sent to boarding school, where his life changes forever.
Critic Consensus
Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par) receives an overwhelmingly positive critical reception, with most reviewers calling it an outstanding and unmissable work of cinema. Critics widely praised the film's compassionate handling of a sensitive subject, Amole Gupte's script, Aamir Khan's direction, and the breakthrough performance of its child lead. Several reviewers went so far as to recommend mandatory school viewings, underscoring the film's perceived social importance. The sole notable criticism, raised by Raja Sen, is that the film suffers from pacing issues and repetitiveness, suggesting a tighter edit would have made it even stronger.
8 reviews · 6 positive
AI-generated summary of 8 critic reviews · may contain errors
Report inaccuracyCritic Reviews (7)
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"The film's success is the result of both Amole Gupte's tremendous script, and Aamir Khan's nurturing supervision. Neither could have achieved this without the other. Be prepared to shed tears, not because it's always a sad story, but because it's such an overwhelming experience."Read full review ↗
"Taare Zameen Par is, above all else, an earnest film. Aamir brings us the debut of both a great child actor and a budding director with a fine eye, though he seems slightly Ashutosh'd in terms of pace. Economy is the one thing this film cries out for. Crisper, tighter, and less repetitive, and we'd have a very good movie on our hands. For now, we have a director with clear potential for solid work. And we need as many of those as we can get."Read full review ↗
"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!"Read full review ↗
"I strongly suggest that every school make it an exception to take bus loads of their school children along with all support staff to view this movie. It is a must-watch. Also, it will be good if it is made Tax Free, that way it will reach to an even wider audience."Read full review ↗
"Classy and charming. Composed and elegant. Aamir Khan delivers his first baby with élan. The hard labor shows in a compassionate portrayal of a sensitive issue."Read full review ↗
"While the climax of Lagaan was set in a cricket match, here it is in an art competition, but the effect is as rivetting and cheering. Ishaan, the underdog, the boy who is a 'disgrace' to his parents, school and orthodox teachers with his blunders, low marks and aggressive behaviour blooms into the hero of the day, all because of the farsighted and motivated Nikumbh 'Sir' who waters this human plant with compassion, sympathy and affection instead of pouring reprimands, beatings, criticisms and ridicule on him!"Read full review ↗
Cast & Crew
Cast
- Darsheel Safary · Ishaan Awasthi
- Aamir Khan · Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Nikumbh sir)
- Tisca Chopra · Maya Awasthi (Ishaan's mother)
- Vipin Sharma · Nandkishore Awasthi (Ishaan's dad)
- Tanay Chheda · Rajan Damodran
- Sachet Engineer · Yohaan Awasthi ("Dada")
- Girija Oak · Jabeen
- Shankar Sachdev · Tiwari Sir
- Rajgopal Iyer · George Sir
- Ravi Khanvilkar · Mr. Holkar
- M. K. Raina · the principal of New Era High School
- Meghna Malik · Victoria Teacher
- Lalita Lajmi · herself (cameo)
- Ayaan · Ishaan Awasthi - 10 months old
- Veer Mohan · Ishaan Awasthi - 2 years old
- Aniket Engineer · Young Yohan Awasthi
- Bugs Bhargava Krishna · Sen Sir
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User Ratings & Reviews
9 ratings · 1 with a written review
Community Reviews (1)
'Taare Zameen Par', take in word, is the best Hindi film you will see in 2007. It is the most pleasant experience in cinemas till now this decade. No other film made me more emotional this year. This full-of-life and a slice-of-life film will change your life and spark a conversation, which is a little too obvious, but what works more is the performance of Darsheel Safari as an imperfect child, as does the performance of Aamir Khan who breathes life into the role of constantly moving teacher. But what is more that the film is also but a celebration of this template in Bollywood. You never often get that. Amol Gupte creates a heartfelt film which gets better with each and every frame.
