Last Saturday, I watched a Hindi film after many, many years. In fact, I visited a movie theatre, after a long time too. I haven't watched any film on the big screen, for very long. I decided to go and watch this one though, exactly a week after the film was released.
That was primarily because, I had loved 'Taare Zameen Par'. When I saw the Poster for this film, I noticed that they had used the same colour and font as that movie, and that it was called 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. So, I kind of guessed, that it would be a movie, which dealt with a similar concept.
In the weeks, before the movie was finally released in Theatres, I had already watched the Trailer a few times. I thought that it was quite amazing, how Aamir Khan had chosen to make a film, which brought the struggles and lives of 'Differently Abled' children, onto the screen in mainstream Hindi cinema. What a wonderful way to create an 'Awareness', and to speak about an important topic, using the medium of Entertainment.👍
I have always been an admirer of Aamir Khan's film choices, and his ability to do justice to every role that he plays. In the last few decades, he has also chosen to bring about a lot of 'Social Consciousness' and 'Awareness', both through his films and the TV show that he had done, called 'Satyameva Jayate'.
This film, is one more step in that same direction. It highlights the struggles of children, who are born with intellectual disabilities, autism and similar challenges like that.
I especially loved the tag line of the film, 'Sabka apna apna Normal hota hain'. That one line, truly brings out the entire message, that the film has endeavoured to convey.👏👏👏
I have heard lots of different kinds of reviews, about the film. But in my opinion, this movie is almost like a 'Path-Breaker' in Indian cinema, simply because of the concept it chose to speak about; and because of the fact, that the actors in the film, were actually 'Real Differently-Abled' people. It must have been challenging to work with and to shoot an entire film, with those children; but I think, that's what brings out the 'Reality' of their challenges and struggles, even more.👍
Thanks to the fact that 'Inclusive Education' is now being spoken about, more and more in India, we have a lot of children with Learning Disabilities, and even with other Psychological and Behavioural challenges, in many of our schools today. So, most Teachers, even in regular schools, have had experiences of working with and interacting with 'Children who have Special Needs', every single day, for many years now.
But for a large percentage of the population in the country, they would not really have come in close contact with 'Special Children'.
That's why, I think this movie, is kind of like an 'Eye-Opener' for many people. At least, it will sensitise the entire nation, and make everyone think twice, before that react harshly or negatively, towards a 'Special Person'.💖
As a Teacher, I also know that I learned more from the children in my classroom everyday, than I could have ever taught them. That concept, was also presented so beautifully in this film, with numerous 'Lessons for Teachers', along the way, brought out through the journey of the 'Coach'.
He thought he was teaching them; but ended up learning so much from the kids. That is another 'Reality', which every Teacher will tell you about, when they narrate stories of their 'Adventures as a Teacher'.😊
On a personal note, this movie was also Special to me, because an old college classmate, was part of the Production Team, as the Head Basketball Coach, who trained the kids and choreographed, all the Basketball scenes, with his team. How wonderful that he got an opportunity, to be part of an 'Initiative' like this. It makes me feel really happy and proud of him.✨️💕
I went and watched this film, just because I wanted to support a movie, that has tried to 'Create an Awareness' about an important set of people, who live and breathe among us everyday; but who just happen to be born, a little 'Different' from the rest of us.
If you decide to watch it, don't go for the movie expecting a fast-paced movie with spectacular special effects or an extra-ordinary story. It's quite a simple story, with a few simple but meaningful songs here and there; about ordinary people, who are 'Challenged' in some ways, by virtue of their genetic make-up, over which they had no control.
Of course, the so-called 'Normal' people in the film, have quite a few 'Life-Challenges' of their own, to deal with as well.
There are parts of the film, which are heart-warming, and which will make you Smile; and maybe Laugh a little too.
But more than anything else, the movie will make you 'Think', about a few things, that you may or may not have thought about before.
In doing that, I think the film absolutely achieves its main aim and purpose.✨️💖✍️
(A video of the Real 'Sitaare' of the film, visiting one of the many movie Theatres, where the film is running.)😊
(Videos shared from the Zee Music and Aamir Khan Talkies YT pages.)
