Amazing Aamir
I have always liked Aamir Khan's films. I am a huge fan of his kind of films. Since my college days, I have been watching his films. I started following him from 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,' while I was at the cusp of leaving my school and fell in love with the superstar. Since then I have watched all his films, be it 'Rangeela,' 'Ghulam,' 'Sarfarosh,' 'Mann,' 'Mela,' 'Lagaan,' 'Fanaa,' 'Taare Zameen Par,' '3 Idiots,' 'Talaash,' 'PK,' and 'Dangal.'
His filmography speaks volumes for the character he has played throughout his career.
In between, few of his films tanked at the box office like 'Thugs of Hindostan,' and 'Laal Singh Chaddha,' but overall he has always delivered his best and entertained his audience. I have always found him a great actor. He is a versatile star, who has never shied away from experimenting different roles. Now, I am eagerly awaiting his latest 'Sitaare Zameen Par,' which is expected to hit theatres this month. The trailer looks very impressive and songs are very good and pleasing to our ears. I once again appreciate the star for choosing a unique subject for this film. I hope this films works so he can feel good about his choice.
Zulfi Saaed,
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Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Movie Review: Aamir Khan's 'Sitare Zameen Par' is heartfelt but too simplistic
The year was 2007. Amid the glut of masala, action oriented and romantic films that dominated the scene, Bollywood produced an unconventional gem — a story of a child suffering from dyslexia, misunderstood by everyone until a kind-hearted teacher (Ram, played by Aamir Khan) helps him bloom. Taare Zameen Par (TZP) was an unlikely movie to come out of cliche-ridden Bollywood but went on to become a huge hit, sparking conversations and triggering emotions. What worked? Its straight-from-the-heart story, beautiful music and incredible performances. Cut to 2025. Amid a glut of OTT action and fantasy disasters, foolish horror comedies and bad historicals, comes another unconventional film — focusing on people of determination, their joys, lives and laughter. Given the all-pervading doom and gloom in our world today, a piece of cinematic art that spotlights kindness, humanity and simplicity should be a refreshing change. And considering the utter lack of creativity from mainstream Hindi cinema, a wholesome, positive film should be the perfect antidote to our numbed-by-mediocrity sensibilities. But does Sitare Zameen Par (SZP) serve that purpose? The answer: Sometimes yes, but mostly no. There is no doubt that SZP is TZP' s spiritual sister with Aamir and the sensitive storyline being the common factors. The biggest plus point: the theme and choice of cast. In a film starring one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars and other veterans, the spotlight rightly shines on a group of sassy, neurodivergent actors who win your heart with their charm and spunk. The industry is notorious for its utter lack of inclusivity but SZP is that rare film that walks the talk. So kudos to the bold step! However, is that enough? What made TZP special was its organic approach to the subject that made us empathise and be part of Ishan Awasthy — the dyslexia-afflicted child's — frustrations and triumphs. SZP unfortunately fails to do the same. You applaud it, you sympathise with the characters, you understand where they come from but you end up doing so from the periphery. It's like attending a TEDx Talk on how to view and interact with neurodivergent individuals albeit with a bit of humour and a sprinkling of drama. Aamir plays Gulshan, an arrogant basketball junior coach who rubs his seniors the wrong way, has an extended tiff with his wife (Genelia) and is caught drunk driving all on the same night. As punishment, he is recommended community service which includes training a group of basketball players on the spectrum for a national level competition. Predictably, he is out of sorts and meets them with a bunch of prejudices, but even more predictably, they end up transforming his attitudes, he gets his concepts of mental health sorted, makes up with his wife and emerges a new person. Another point that deserves special mention: while it has a do-or-die basketball final match in the climax, the result is far from what you expect. And perhaps this is the film's most important message — that empathy, kindness and understanding need not be defined by success or failure in a race or contest, nor should people be judged on the basis of the results they achieve. Just showing up is sometimes enough. However, despite all these green flags, if SZP falls short in satisfying the cinephile in you, it's due to its treatment. The empathy feels overly manufactured, the messaging too on-the-nose, the life lessons sound like they're lifted from Instagram captions and the lead character's self-realisation is spelled out a little too clearly. What if we were allowed to f-e-e-l and absorb instead? While it's commendable that the screenplay avoids emotional manipulation through sob stories or dramatising the team's and their families' struggles, it also fails to let the emotions emerge naturally. In one instance, a character explains to Gulshan the symptoms of those on the spectrum, the role of chromosomes and how everyone has their own version of 'normal". Though well-meaning, the scene feels too explanatory and obvious. When he finally realises where he went wrong, he says aloud, 'I used to be so selfish, I never looked at others' perspectives…these children changed me…' Yes, we saw that! Director R.S. Prasanna, working off a script by Divi Nidhi Sharma and adapted from the Spanish drama Campeones, takes a super-linear route though he is determined to keep it sunny and funny which doesn't always work. Perhaps, it's because most sequences are designed to preach. When a character calls someone 'Parsi', he is immediately corrected by another - 'he has a name'. A truly funny scene involving a close friendship between Dolly Singh Ahluwalia (playing Gulshan's mother) and Brijendra Kala comes with a message of accepting senior citizen relationships. It's like everyone is bent on reforming Gulshan and teaching him lessons on acceptance! Of course, the 'beaten down coach finding meaning to his life training a bunch of apparent no-hopers' is the oldest trope in motivational films but they could make engaging cinema if handled adeptly. SZP gets the ingredients right but the end recipe is bland. Blame it on the simplistic lens with which it presents every problem and solution. Just the right intentions do not make for entertaining cinema so while you may pat its objectives on the back it may not enthuse you watch it again. Surprisingly, part of the problem lies with Aamir Khan himself. Several scenes feel like affectionate nods to his iconic past — a chase sequence set to Delhi Belly 's ' DK Bose", a lyrical reference to his famous Papa Kehte Hain, and a Hum Jeet Gaye roar at the end of a match, reminiscent of Lagaan. But these callbacks don't translate into a compelling performance. The otherwise brilliant actor appears stuck in a familiar loop — head-scratching, wide-eyed, mouth-agape expressions that echo his over-the-top portrayal in Laal Singh Chaddha. His Gulshan feels like a blend of Ram (Taare Zameen Par), Rancho (3 Idiots) and Laal (Laal Singh Chaddha), with little evolution or variation. While his sincerity and belief in the film's message deserve all the plaudits, the performance itself feels overly rehearsed and self-conscious — ironically, the very opposite of what Gulshan is meant to be. Comparatively, his co-stars — Genelia (Bollywood deserves more of her!) and Dolly Singh Ahluwalia (remember her in Vicky Donor and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani?) are natural and fit in the milieu well. But all said and done, let's give Aamir Khan credit where it's due — making a truly inclusive film and introducing a new bunch of actors. Remember the names of the 'sitaaras' — Ayush Bhansali, Simran Mangeshkar, Ashish Pendse, Rishabh Jain, Rishi Shahani, Aroush Dutta, Vedant Sharma, Samvit Desai and Naman Sharma. They restore your faith in humanity even if the cinematic world they perform in falls short.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Khaleej Times
Salman Khan to be first guest on new season of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show'
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan will be seen as the first guest on the new season of The Great Indian Kapil Show. Netflix India posted the promo of the episode, leaving fans in splits. From joking about the failure of his latest film Sikandar to his humorous take on Aamir Khan's new relationship with Gauri Spratt, Salman unleashed a candid avatar. On Aamir's 60th birthday in March the actor introduced his partner Gauri to the media in Mumbai. Aamir was previously married to Reena Dutta, and later Kiran Rao. The Dil Chahta Hai and Lagaan actor has two children from his first marriage. Aamir married director Kiran Rao in 2005 and separated six years later. They continue to co-parent their son, Azad. Aamir will star in Sitaare Zameen Par, which also has Genelia D'Souza in a pivotal role.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Khaleej Times
'This role felt like me': Genelia D'Souza on her upcoming film 'Sitaare Zameen Par'
By the time Genelia D'Souza appears on screen in Sitaare Zameen Par, you already feel her presence. As Sunita—a quietly persuasive, emotionally grounded character whose presence is largely felt in the second half—she becomes the kind of voice who doesn't need to shout to be heard. And in many ways, that mirrors who she is now. 'I think Sunita reflects the version of me I've grown into,' Genelia says in a Zoom conversation, thoughtful and composed. 'She's someone I've seen evolve through all my own phases—from early stardom, to marriage, motherhood, and now, producing. It felt like a natural extension of where I am in life.' But this wasn't just a character choice. For Genelia, it was a statement of intent: a desire to embody roles that speak to her current self—woman, mother, creator—without letting go of the childlike spark that made her Aditi from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na such an icon. 'You'll know what I am taking about when you watch the film,' she says. At its heart, Sitaare Zameen Par is a story about inclusion. But it never announces itself that way. The film, led by Aamir Khan and directed by R.S. Prasanna, follows ten neurodivergent adults and the reluctant coach who comes to understand them—and himself. 'It's not trying hard to give a message,' Genelia says. 'But you leave the theatre with something lasting. That's powerful storytelling.' It's also personal. Genelia's parenting philosophy has long reflected this ethos. 'I always ask my kids—did you speak to the child sitting alone at lunch?' she says. 'That's a conversation I have every other day. You can't call yourself a good person if you're not inclusive. That's just how I see it.' Which is why being part of a film that normalises neurodivergence on screen felt like the perfect fit. Working with the real 'sitaares' Nine out of the ten neurodivergent actors in the film are debutants—a fact that surprises most, including Genelia. 'If you ask me, I'd say this wasn't their first film. That's how good they were,' she says. 'We all went through the same process—auditions, workshops, rehearsals. But what they brought was something you can't teach: authenticity.' There's no overthinking, she explains. No posturing. Just raw, candid emotions that elevate every frame. 'You sit with them and it just feels warm. The whole film feels warm. It's the kind of story you'd want to take your parents to, without a second thought.' When asked about working with Aamir Khan, Genelia lights up—not as a fan, but as a fellow actor who found a true collaborator. 'He never left us,' she says. 'Even when he wasn't on camera, he was right there. Helping, guiding, being part of the team.' She recalls his famous no-phone rule on set. 'We all started interacting more—sharing stories, thoughts. It made the experience so much richer.' Phases, films, and what comes next This role marks a turning point—not just in Genelia's career, but in the kind of stories she wants to tell. 'As a producer, I now have the power to greenlight projects. Some I won't act in, but they still need to feel like me. I want to see characters who are my age, who reflect the complexities of a mother, or a wife. I'd love to do an adult love story too.' She hopes the industry starts writing more roles 'for women like us'—not as side characters, but as fully realised protagonists. So what does success mean to someone who has navigated multiple careers, industries, and identities? 'It's temporary,' Genelia says, without hesitation. 'What matters is showing up—for your kids, your set, your people.' She has, on more than one occasion, said no to appointments because of her children's school events. 'There are times I've not given a date because of a football match. And yes, people are shocked. But that match means everything to my child—and to me.' It's this quiet conviction that defines her today: take each role seriously, carry each responsibility with grace, and remember that highs and lows are part of the game. 'Sports taught me that,' she adds. 'You don't quit. You find a way.' And when it comes to tears… Between her and husband Riteish Deshmukh, who is more likely to cry during a film like Sitaare Zameen Par? 'Me!' she says, laughing. 'But off late? Riteish. He's the kindest guy I know. Never looks for a fight. Just moves on with love.' It's fitting that the conversation circles back to warmth, family, and connection—because that's what Sitaare Zameen Par ultimately celebrates. And in Genelia's case, it's not just a film role. It's a reflection of the person—and parent—she's become, without letting go of the childlike spark which was evident in her character Aditi.
