Half-baked and half-hearted

In 2007, Taare Zameen Par captivated audiences with its heartrending portrayal of Ishaan, a young boy grappling with dyslexia. Unable to keep pace with his peers, Ishaan is overlooked by the very world meant to nurture him and protect him—his family, friends, and teachers. The film masterfully captures his silent struggles, his unspoken pain, and his unique strengths, drawing viewers into the heart of a child yearning for acceptance and love. Through its empathetic lens, it raises awareness about dyslexia without ever feeling patronizing, which is what made that film linger in our hearts.

Nearly two decades later, Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by R.S. Prasanna, seeks to carry forward this legacy of inclusion with its resonant message: “sab ka apna apna normal hota hai.” While this sentiment essentially echoes Taare’s spirit, Sitaare struggles to replicate its predecessor’s emotional resonance. Though undeniably sincere, the film lacks the depth to etch itself into the hearts of its audience.

The story follows Gulshan Arora, portrayed by Aamir Khan, an egoistic and ill-tempered basketball coach. After throwing a punch at a senior and landing in jail for reckless drunk driving, Gulshan is court-ordered to serve at a community center. His task: to coach a team of young adults with autism and Down syndrome for a national basketball tournament. What begins as a reluctant obligation—with Gulshan’s calling his players “pagal” and “good for nothing”—evolves into a journey of mutual growth and respect. Yet, the film falters in delivering the emotional weight this transformation demands. The culprit? An overcrowded script weighed down by too many subplots. Much like too many cooks spoiling the broth, irrelevant subplots dilute the film’s focus. Case in point: Gulshan’s strained marriage to Suneeta, played by Genelia Deshmukh feels like an unnecessary detour, so does the romantic subplot of Gulshan’s elderly mother with her cook that makes you cringe. Unlike Taare, where every character enriched Ishaan’s story, Sitaare’s side stories feel like distractions.

One of Sitaare’s strengths, however, is its departure from Taare’s one-sided mentorship. Here, the coach is mentored in return, as his players challenge his prejudices and help him confront his temper and overcome his own fears and inhibitions. This mutual transformation is a refreshing twist, but the film struggles to portray it with cinematic perfection of Aamir Khan, relying instead on monologues to bridge the emotional gaps. Where Taare Zameen Par made heart-wrenching moments that stitched audiences to Ishaan’s inner world, Sitaare feels half-baked and half-hearted.

Aamir Khan’s performance sparkles with humour throughout the film, yet the true highlight, sparkle lies in the performances of the differently-abled actors. Their portrayals feel authentic and strike a chord with audiences that elevates the film. However, the film’s inability to delve into the inner lives of its characters keep it grounded.

Perhaps in its earnest attempt to avoid melodrama, Sitaare Zameen Par has sacrificed much of its heart.