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Sitare Zameen Par movie review: Aamir Khan and his ‘sitare' shine in this perfectly balanced comic-emotional ride
Sitaare Zameen Par review: Aamir Khan's one of the most anticipated films of this year, Sitaare Zameen Par , has finally hit the big screens, which introduces 10 actors with disabilities, who have down-syndrome. The film is based on a failed basketball coach whose rude behaviour lands him in trouble, for which he was sent to teach Basketball to these specially abled folks who are normal for themselves (like the tagline says 'sabka apna apna normal' ) but not for the coach. Later, the story delves into emotional depth along with the essence of humour and a life lesson that perfectly summarises the quote, 'Every catastrophe is also an opportunity.' The Plot
Gulshan Arora (played by Aamir Khan ) is a junior basketball coach who is notorious for his arrogant behaviour, especially around those who are close to him. The starting shot of the film establishes Gulshan and his problem as he has to face trolling due to his short height, which lands him in big trouble. After getting expelled from the Basketball Academy, he is also charged in drinking and driving case.
Later, Gulshan is assigned to a sports academy to train students who are specially-abled, to fulfill his community service instead of going to jail. Upon agreeing to coach them and reach the Basketball Championship Finals, Sunil (Ashish Pendse), Satbir (Aroush Datta), Lotus (Aayush Bhansali), Sharma Ji (Rishi Shahani), Guddu (GopiKrishnan K Verma), Raju (Rishabh Jain), Bantu (Vedant Sharma), Golu (Simran Mangeshkar), Kareem (Samvit Desai) and Hargovind (Naman Misra) ultimately impart to him the essence of individuality within a lesson of teaching him what is normal, along with a lesson that completely changes him as a human being. The Performances
This film is not an Aamir Khan film; it's more like a film that is dependent on the new-age talent that has been given a perfect space and limelight to showcase themselves and their potential to the cinema lovers, as every character tries to portray its generic emotions in the purest form. What makes the film set apart from other stories, is that the characters are not presented sympathetically. But, it delves into the portrayal of normal human beings who just have to function the same in their special ways.
Aamir Khan's character has its side and nature, a guy who hails from Delhi and has a short temper just because people mock him for his height, and this is why he is rude to others, but the change that comes later truly shows why Khan is known as Mr. Perfectionist of the cinema. While watching him on the big screen, he does not make you feel his star power, but a man who has kept himself as a child in front of other grown-ups.
The supporting actors including Dolly Ahluwalia , Brijendra Kala and Gurpal Singh completely shine in their forms, where Dolly and Brijendra's comical timings will make you laugh with joy, Gurpal's kindness and teachings will make you stay with the kids and with their beautiful lives that do not convert into struggle but a sense of living.
Genelia Deshmukh (Sunita) lights up the screen with her presence as she manages to pull off without being too dramatic, which makes it into a compelling narrative. Despite becoming a mother to each one of them, Genelia plays the role of a companion and a strong pillar for Gulshan in his messed-up life while fighting her own battles.
Music And Background Scores
It has always remained constant in an Aamir Khan cinema that quality and choices of music will never be compromised. It stays the same with Sitaare Zameen Par because the background scores done by Ram Sampath are so beautifully transitioned that will keep you hooked with the film. All four songs, including Good For Nothing, Sar Aankhon, Sitaare Zameen Par and Shubh Mangalam , portray different stories that do not look like forced or pushed scenes to make it commercially relevant, especially when it has been done by stalwarts of the music industry such as Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Amitabh Bhattacharya. Cinematography and Editing
The cinematography and editing were handled by G Srinivas Reddy and Charu Shree Roy, who have been associated with projects like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Chhichhore, and Haraamkhor. Know how to blend the perfect mix of colour and black screens so as not to make it look like a forced jump between sequences. The colour grading and shots have been so beautifully synced that it will make you fall in love with each sequence, especially the interval block and climax sequence, which makes it a clap-worthy moment and hands down one of the finest in Bollywood. What Works For Sitaare Zameen Par
As some of you may know this film is an Indian adapted version of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones and while watching it you may feel like you are looking at it as a copy-paste, but that's not the case because the way it has been beautifully helmed and written by RS Prasanna and Divy Nidhi Sharma.
Sitaare Zameen Par and team clearly hits out the ball out of the park for its engaging and hard-hitting screenplay with a special message and lines that stays with you 'Basketball Sikhaane Aaya Tha, Insaaniyat Seekh Ke Jaa Raha'.
Final Verdict
Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par is a true example of how one should deal with sensitive topics such as Down syndrome. While some try to make a mockery of such subjects, this film does not just keep its focus on the characters but also gives a life lesson. This film is a typical Aamir Khan-style film that perfectly balances humour and emotions and does not feel like a forced sequel at all ; instead raises the bar high for its remarkable legacy.
Rating- 4 /5
