It is sometimes difficult to review a film that has been placed on a pedestal by practically every critic worth his (or her) salt.
What more can be written about Taare Zameen Par (TZP), a film that literally marked the coming-of-age of Indian cinema?
Bollywood star Aamir Khan's directorial debut is a masterpiece that defines the very essence of good cinematic sense. The perfectionist Khan has lived up to his title by making a movie that is technically without flaw, and is backed by stunning performances from a star cast that were virtually unknown – barring Khan himself.
Debutante Darsheel Safary is the true star of TZP, a child actor who has shown maturity well beyond his years by his portrayal of a lost boy struggling with dyslexia.
Eight-year-old Ishaan Awasthi lives in a magical world of creative freedom, but in real life his dyslexia goes unnoticed by those near and dear.
His father (Vipin Sharma), whose character sketch is a definite dig at those parents who ruthlessly push their children to emerge winners in life's rat race, can't come to grips that his child is a failure.
Much to the chagrin of his wife (played brilliantly by Tisca Chopra), he packs off Ishaan to a boarding school where he can be disciplined.
Abandoned and desolate, Ishaan's confidence is shattered by rejection and he slowly retreats into his shell, causing him to even forsake his world of painting.
But suddenly Ishaan's life takes a turn when the school's unconventional art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Khan), enters like a ray of light. Immediately recognising Ishaan's dyslexia from his own personal battle with the condition, Nikumbh sets out to help this special child find his place in society.
The film has many emotional turning points, but the scene with Ishaan standing on the guardrail of the school roof will send chills down your spine. Khan has clearly drawn parallels with the psyche of troubled young children who are driven to commit suicide when they crack under parental pressure.
After a long time, here's finally a DVD that deserves shelf space in your home. The special DVD pack also comes with a few extra treats, including a TZP pencil (a big hit with children) and replicas of Ishaan's flipbook and a sketch of Nikumbh's and Ishaan's paintings from the climax scene. You will also find a commentary by Khan, explaining each scene and his reasons for editing out a few. A background score CD rounds up the collection.