Taare Zameen Par- a film review

Director: Aamir Khan Cast: Aamir Khan, Tanay Chheda, Tisca Chopra, M.K. Raina, Darsheel Safary, Vipin Sharma. Music: Shankar Mahadevan Loy Mendonsa Ehsaan Noorani

New Delhi/ Mumbai, Dec 21 (ANI): Focusing on children's dilemma and their unique world, Bollywood's latest offering Taare Zameen Par delves into the world of a special child for whom the colors of flowers and kites hold more appeal than grades, but the child's talent is understood only by a sensitive teacher.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan explores the children's world in Taare Zameen Par (TZP), which marks Khan's debut as director.

"I think my biggest challenge as a director was to translate honestly what was on paper on to the screen. I think that's what I tried to do," said Khan.

The film is about a boy aged around eight years with dyslexia, the learning disability, who retreats into a shell rather than face a world of stiff parental expectation and academic competition.

Aamir Khan in a still from 'Taare Zameen Par'.

At a boarding school, where he is sent to be disciplined, he meets a teacher who doesn't expect him to score top grades and shares his world of colors, fish, dogs and kites.

"TZP is a film about children, not a children's film," writes Khan in his blog to promote the movie.

Khan, who is sometimes compared by critics to Hollywood's Tom Hanks, appears in the film as the sensitive teacher.

Khan is known as a perfectionist, who chooses his scripts with care.

Aamir felt pleased that his work had been appreciated, but he was cautious about high expectations that people have from his film.

"Well I know that high expectations bring a lot of responsibility and I'm aware of that. I'm also happy these expectations indicate to me that my previous work has been liked and appreciated a lot and that's good to know. I do the work which I enjoy doing," said Aamir.

There was a mixed reaction to the movie from a cross-section of people, but most seemed to be in its favor.

"The child acted very well. It is an emotional film. I will love having a teacher like Aamir," said Salil, a child.

Delhi-based fashion designer Gauri Karan was in favor of this movie and said, "This film is absolutely brilliant. I also want to add that it's a nice film."

The film had its share of problems when activists in Gujarat protested against the screening of Taare Zameen Par over the alleged anti-Narmada dam remarks of Khan last year.

Khan's remarks against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as well as his opposition to the Narmada dam had evoked violent protests across the state last year. (ANI)