She's Just A Random Personality...

A lot of times in movies, a lot of the conclusions and decisions we makes about the various aspects of the movie- the plot, character(s) etc.- is dependent on what we see. So if you do ever watch this movie I'm reviewing (And you're crazy not to catch it really) you'll realise all the different types of visual, verbal and non-verbal communication the makers have infused in the film to capture and hold our attention.

'Taare Zameen Par' is a story about an 8- year old boy, Ishaan Awasthi, who suffers from Dyslexia. Being unable to understand even the most basic concepts that every other kid his age breezes through, he struggles to keep up with his classmates. The video below will help you understand his dilemma a little more. It may seem funny but looking at it from the poor boy's point of view, we see how no one understands him and then it really isn't that funny anymore. The jumble of letters that dance in front of his eyes, they even make my own head spin!



However, Ishaan is often found to be in his own world and the director allows us into his mind to see the way he percieves things (hm, didn't we just learn something about perception in class just this week?!!) The innocence, freedom and maturity in his imagination exceeds any adult and this window into his mind allows us a more intimate connection with him. Without realising it, you start to admire him and maybe even envy his simplicity within all the complexities of his life- the struggle within himself which he covers up with an act of bravado and the struggle with his parents, teachers and other children who fail to understand him. While everyone's life is filled with so much tension and expectations, his is filled with scattered toys, crayons of various colours, carefree-ness and fun!



Through it all, the one constant in his life that he can turn to and excels in is his art. The freedom of expression he gets through it shows us the capabilities of a boy whom everyone seems to have given up on. How can he be stupid when he is smart enough to figure out puzzles (which even I have trouble with), to think of forging an absent-note to cover up bunking classes, to create his own unique flip book and even a moving model of a plane using random materials like leaves, twigs, rubber bands etc. How can he be stupid when he has the capacity to appreciate the simple things in life that most of us have a tendency to overlook?! To me, he is a boy with a high IQ and a very vivid imagination.



His childish innocence and spark of life dies when his adamant father and helpless mother send him off to boarding school and feeling closer to Ishaan by then viewers empathise with him. His father is typical of parents who refuse to acknowledge problems that their children might have, choosing instead to live in denial and blame their child's behaviour on laziness and attitude problems. Every parent wants to think that their child is the best don't they?!



His saviour comes in the form of a relief teacher (Ram Sharma Nikumbh) at the boarding school who has a genuine love for children and a belief that every child is special with unique strengths and weaknesses. From the minute he is introduced in the movie, we wait with bated breath in our seats with the hope that the poor child can be redeemed.



Having been through Dyslexia himself, Nikumbh identifies the signs and notes how fast Ishaan is sinking within himself. In the movie Ishaan's body language and eyes express fear and depression. Then through Nikumbh's words and expressions we also see his emotions- how he sympathises with Ishaan, is angry with society in general for their ignorance, and genuinely wants to help. [verbal + non-verbal communication]

"Man is a cruel, insensitive animal. And blind. Blind to beauty, blind to feelings"

We then see how he struggles to save the boy. He starts by correcting the thinking of Ishaan's parents, explaining that in this merciless and competitive world, not only Order, Discipline and Labour brings about success. Talent and the ability to think creatively should also be appreciated and rewarded. Then he goes on to teach Ishaan the basic concepts which he lacks like reading, writing, simple mathematics etc. with all the patience that is required for such kids and slowly but surely he helps Ishaan to improve.

The climatic scene below shows us the part where Ishaan is truly found again when he produces a magnificent piece of art in a competition that Nikumbh organised specifically to get him painting again. We see the bond that mentor and student have forged between themselves when we see Nikumbh's painting depicting his view of Ishaan as the blessing that he indeed is. (painting- another form of visual communication). We see mutual understanding between both parties even without words (non- verbal communication). When ishaan gets the applause and appreciation that he truly deserves, it really tugs at our hearts.

"Khul Gaya Aasmaan Ka Rasta Dekho Khul Gaya.
Mil Gaya Kho Gaya Tha Jho Sitara Mil Gaya, Mil Gaya"
Translation:
"Look, the path to the skies is revealed.
And the little lost star has been found again."



Most of us tend to have a soft spot for children- their childish innocence, their vulnerability- and 'Taare Zameen Par' uses that to their advantage. Gaining our support by playing with our emotions (more or less) and addressing real- life issues. Most of the scenes that I've tried to infuse in my review are songs because i felt that they best expressed the various aspects of the movie- the culture in India, the expectations on kids nowadays and the character that we need to understand, Ishaan.

I guess this is a pretty long review but i wanted to make sure others could understand how much this movie could affect one and what a genius of a film it is. 'Taare Zameen Par' is a really heartwarming and gripping story about children, parenting, love and courage amongst many others. A must watch movie that really proves that "every child is special".

posted by RanPer @ 1:41 PM