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TAARE ZAMEEN PE- not a review
Is Aamir Khan all hype? Is he a media created myth? Why is he so approachable and humble when you meet him, when you expect him to be arrogant? You could talk to him with just your eyes? that’s exactly what i did after watching TZP, i couldn’t talk so i just said later. I never thought Aamir the filmmaker would be as brilliant as Aamir the choicemaker, but the my accompanying friend who is also my fan said after the movie, from now and for now Aamir is my favourite filmmaker.
Is the film brilliant? Yes. By leaps and bounds. Is it my kind of film? No. Is it aamir’s film? may be. but more so it’s a labour of love and compassion for children which i know Aamir has but so does Amol Gupte? Amol Gupte was my first teacher, I was doing theatre in 1993 and had literally no money and Amol use to come watch the plays, He is a brilliant painter, the most original that i have seen, an actor(anyone rememeber Guru Dakshina with Anupam kher,Amol was the other lead) , he was a regular in all FTII films, he was kind of a poor man’s Amol palekar and more. Amol took me under his wing to assist him on a tele series called Tejas which was produced by Saeed Mirza. I was 21. I wrote the dialogues for the first episode and when Amol read it , he said you are a writer, you do not need to assist and he took me to Saeed and said I am not writing the series anymore and here is your writer. Just like that. I was writing,and i was a writer. I owe Amol my early start. From his little room in Alvarez house, influences from where you see galore in TZP, was a hub for artists. Vilkas sivaraman had a studio apartment, probably still has, probably amol is still there . Haven’t met him in a long time. Alvarez House had this one floor where they made aquariums and amol spent a lot of time with the fishes. Probably that aquarium is still there. I really don’t clearly remember whether it was called Alvarez house but it’s so easy to find. It is in Mahim right after the that corner which is becomes one way after four to suburbs and one way before thea to worli . Two buildings after the Park which is after the hospitel. I remember him doodling with his black pen on white ceramics, making shapes and paint visuals with small little circles..those black little circles would continue as he talked to me. He never seemed like he wanted much from life. The whole circle of friends was like that.Amol was more Mansoor Khan’s friend than AAmir’s. He and mansoor started an Ad Film house together, while Mansoor played Drums, amol did everything. In the circle was also noe deceased Mahendra Joshi, the theatre director who would throw chappals at me if i got my lines wron while we were rehearsing “Paankaur naake Jaake” by madhu rai. Mahendra Joshi was also the man who discovered Paresh Rawal, who resurrected Shafi Inaamdar, turned an under sixteen india wicketkeeper into a fine actor and a brilliant and most prolific playwrite ,theatre director Makarand deshpande. I was just a mute witness to these great minds who somewhere were also partly responsible to shape me.
Why am i going into history? Maybe because I see a lot coming from those years in this film, as if TZP has been in making for fourteen years or may be more. I am a great admireee of Aamir Khan and not because i share his initials,but his courage. He is a good hard working, persistent,sometimes to the point of irritating , stubborn, why because when he believes he really believes. My one big grouse with him is why did he take over Amol’s film, but what happens between two people only the two know and i am not going to judge anyone here. He is creative yet sometimes he restricts the freeflow of thoughts because he needs to know before hand. He wants perfection in everything from his daily toast to his films. That kind of a man is not easy to be with, but that kind of man or even a worse eccentric was Kubrick. I am not comparing his filmmaking skills to kubrick, because TZP is not that. Tzp is a brilliant honest film about a dyslexic boy and the world he is at odds with that needs to understand him. AK plays Nikumbh the unconventional art teacher who makes that possible. Not once anyone talked during the film , the story takes it’s own beautiful time to unfold, Darsheel the boy is a discovery, he tugs at your heart with silent stares. No this is not my kind of film, neither is it the kind of film that i make or even love. It has too many tears for my own taste, but it just refuses to leave me. Deepa Bhatia, the researcher, the editor, the wife of Amol Gupte puts it together beautifully and offcourse Aamir would have been there with her and so would amol and they would have fought and argued and everything but what came out is a labour of love. The most disarming momemt in the fil was when the credits began and you see the little Darsheel Safary giventop billing followed by Aamir khan. from then on he just takes you in and you want to see the boy and you don’t wait for Aamir the star to make an entry. this is something all thos need to learn who sell faces on a poster to the people.
This film took me back to my school, it was as if i was watching my own childhood unfolding in front of me, except i was not dyslexic. It took me back to the time when my teachers refused to publish my short story and poem in school because he said it was too dark and not genuine to come from the mind of an eight year old. What was my story about. A boy planning a revenge against a bully in a boarding school , under the tamarind tree. The boy practised everyday throwing a stone that would miss a point he marked on the tree. everyday people saw him hitting the mark and cheer him and one day he deliberately misses it so the stone would hit the bully walking out of his class. It was rejected.
This film took me there , merits are too many to talk about, what i love the most is the way the camera lingers on to the moments and the boy and is not in a hurry to move away.. what i love the most is the writing. It is the most original and rooted piece of writing to have come out of here. I will not like to talk about the little plot points and the story and would like all to see it. It’s really strange also for me to write about TZP and not about Hanuman Returns which is releasing next week. But what the heck, a good film is a good film is a good film. And my heroes of the film are aamir for always putting his money where his mouth is, Ajay and Sanjeev bijli for supporting it, what a start for PVR Pictures, All those wonderful actors, especially Tisca Chopra(once a beauty queen, and a wet shirt heroine and now an extremely evolved and fine actress), The star Darsheel Safary my candidate for best actor of the year over anyone and this time even SRK wouldn’t mind losing to him. For once we can have the youngest best actor after shweta won the award for Iqbal. But my real hero of the film remains Amol Gupte for what he came up with on paper. here is raising a toast to him.
I love the way you write. A perfect tribute to the real hero of TZP-Amole Gupte!
Anurag, that was a very heartfelt post. Yes it sounds like Aamir is indeed the ‘real deal’.Also your willingness to bare yourself so completely on this public forum on numerous occasions shows your true caliber as an artiste and a human being. You are a Mozart, all of us who deride you here are just Salieris….
God Bless.
AK - you are perhaps best positioned to answer this: Would the movie have turned out different if Amol Gupte had continued to direct it and Aamir had not taken over the responsibility?
Am glad though that a hugely popular, mainstream actor has finally decided to go behind the camera instead of insisting to stay in front of it (after Kamal Haasan). But perhaps not many are/were as talented as Kamal/Aamir.
First and foremost, thanks for taking the time to talk about TZP. I, too, was surprised that there were no thoughts about Hanuman Returns. =)But maybe that’s for another time, eh? The very fact that TZP hit you in that way is something very telling.
Screenwriting and storytelling reel me in, so I just wanted to comment on that, since you brought it up. Every story, every movie has its own strenghts and weaknesses and caters to its own brand of viewers and a range of moods. There are always two sides to the camera. One, where magic is made, where the film rolls, where thousands of flickering stop-and-go pictures form and emulate real life. And then there is the real life itself on that other side of the camera. To be able to seamlessly transition between the two sides and capture reality instead of creating it is something so powerful that even the most unlearned man from the depths of society can single it out. He really needs not look at anything past himself, himself as a human. The brilliance of the script and the movie lies in this very fact: that reality is something that we’re all looking for and when faced with it, with something so bare and basic and raw, we want to reach out and hold it to us; make the experience last as long as possible. But it’s just a slice of life, one facet of life.
Lost in the system, as those in a metropolis are, confounded by the layers of institutions, rules, regulations, and general governance the chance to break free of a “created” reality and catapult oneself into that which truly is there must be a heady feeling. This is probably one of the plus points of the story: its refusal to conform. Its acknowledgment to the fact that, yes, there are different learning styles, different disabilities, that we’re not all just numbers in a system. Studying in a one-size-fits-all education system like India can’t be easy and while it churns out grade-A students, there are many more hidden faces that look educational adversity in the eye but aren’t showcased and heralded as loudly. And its portrayed in such a simple manner: a teacher and student relationship. We, as viewers, as humans, don’t merely rejoice on the fact that an obstacle in the boy’s life is overcome or assauged because of the love and care of a teacher. It’s the actual process and formation of that teacher/student relationship that extinguishes alienation. It’s like in Dead Poet’s Society when Robert Sean Leonard realizes he will never be able to face reality and Ethan Hawke realizes he must face reality. It takes time to hit both boys, it takes effort and a cultivating relationship by a teacher who inspires, who steps outside the system, who lifts the layers and readjusts them, and relieves that alienation of the system be it through the troubles of an overbearing father or an overshadowing legacy of an older brother.
Besides the reality and the relationship, it’s also the possibility of possibility. The idea that all is acheivable and inspired. Of course, the world is not seen with such rose-coloured spectacles but if seen through the eyes of Ishaan (in the movie) it really IS all black and white and reacheable. The catalyst is the teacher, the mentor, the experienced figure; if you had, for example, been encouraged and applauded for your genuine story, which was your stark sharp truth and reality clothed in the black and white ensemble of an eight year old, who knows what could and what might have happened? These moments of shining possibility, of real black and white and of the lost ability to overthrow disillusionment and break free are so foreign yet we cherish them, even hunger for them so relentlesly that when something like Taare Zameen Pe comes our way, we dwell in it and soak it in. Who knows when another slice of life, a sharp relief of reality might come along?
P.S. Sorry for rambling but your thoughts on this spurred my thinking! =D
Hmmm…after reading a review by Taran Adarsh yesterday, I thought it might be too mushy and so I will wait but now, can’t wait to see it. What a bitter-sweet moment for Amol.
Aamir isn’t appreciated enough in the media to be called a media-created myth. A flippant journalist somewhere calls him a perfectionist and the rest of the media too follows suit..
Somebody like a Sobhaa De with absolutely no knowledge about movie-making, someone with the naivest of movie senses, somebody whose holds up the title of once being the editor of Stardust( the most voyeuristic magazine to have ever hit the stands here) as the badge of her credibility, comes on a talk-show and refers to him as the most overrated actor and we see the rest of the media latching onto that statement.
Unfortunately here in India, making statements have got less to do with logic and sensibility and more to do with following a verbal trail thats in vogue…
Even the term ‘perfectionist’ doesn’t do justice to Aamir’s contribution to Indian Cinema. His stubborn nature and his fastidious approach to the medium should be seen as an extension of his belief that success and following isnt something that ought to be taken for granted. As a provider of entertainment he is the only actor here today who believes that it is his duty to give to us audiences not just something but ’something worthwhile’ everytime he shows up on screen. Of course his estimations have sometimes backfired upon him, but even on those rare ocassions all he was doing was trying to repay the debt that he believes he owes to every movie-going individual here..
“Aamir is overrated”????? Show me someone here, who isn’t then..
Three cheers for Amol Gupte…
HIP HIP HURRAY
HIP HIP HURRAY
HIP HIP HURRAY
Read the article on Aamir Khan in TEHELKA.this guy is very difficult to figure out.will talk about the film after watching it but my heart beleives that this is a amole gupte & deepa bhatia film.the painting was done by them and all aamir had to do was fill the colours in.
Bhaiyon aur B… When AK is praising AK, toooo film zaroor dekhen!!!
‘Sala mai to peot ban gaya, aree poet ban ke kaise tan gaya’…ohh koi fayeda nahi..I want to become a PFC-Ronin not Poet…not now at least.
Guys…don’t keep high hopes, watch TZP, come back…write a review, don’t write good about it because AK liked it, be a good reviwer…and become Ronin :)
Oops… just wanted to tickle you all…read comments above…all are getting damn serious…cool down guys !!!
Thanks AK… for the article, you too are a tara zameen par!!!
Hi AK,
After No Smoking, i have become a hugh fan of yours and yor cinema. I had loved your dissection of Khoya khoya chaand and today your feeling about TZP was up to the mark… felt great to know about Mr Amol Gupte and your experiences.
but the reason i am writing this message is that i loved the anecdote about your childhoood and the way you hit that bully mate in your school days.
I am sure you must have read “the child shooting his bully classmate in gurgaon” incident. Could i request you to write a noir movie on the same subject…
i belived you can give audience a good movie to cheer up !!!
wat do ya say ?? my 2 cents …
-Ajay
Thanks Anurag for the wonderful write-up. I am really looking forward to this movie…
Great piece anurag…
I am enjoying your every writing in pfc and even in a publication like mumbai mirror.when all my journo friends are busy in sponsored writing its great to read original,senti,close to heart writings.
keep it flowing boss…
..and yes Amol, I will watch movie for ‘you’.
I had admired the guts of PVR, when they stood up against YRF and refused to screen DHOOM2 instead of increasing the prices for no apparent reason.In case of OSO, almost all the multiplexes were determined to fight against the distributors but all of them relented in the last moment. But just look at the hypocrisy of PVR in case of TZP, where they are the producers. Friday Night show tickets at PVR Bangy are priced at 250/- instead of usual 160/-. Almost a 50% jump in prices for no apparent reason. Even the tickets for weekdays, which are usually priced at 120/-, are now priced at 250/-(for TZP). Shame on you PVR
Nevertheless, I will be watching this movie on the first day itself, but not at PVR.
AK,Great review, even if you dont call it a review!
I wonder how many other actors in the country would give top billing in the credits to a child ahead of themselves!
Kudos to Aamir!
^^ it aint a big deal .. everyone knws abt Amir Khan playing a main character .. so he kind of ends up scoring points and also spreads his goody-goody image .. so its a good strategy even if it comes frm the heart .
Wat a moment for amole gupte guys.If the film succeeds aamir wud be all over but if it fails the writer of the film i.e.gupte will have to bear the brunt for it.
How can Aamir take someone’s labour under their nose man.I didnt wanted to c d film but guess that i’ll watch it for amol and deepa’s sake
@akeyla ….We are not sure what happened between the two ..may be Amol was happy giving his work in hands of aamir …
its god tht u r not talking abt hanuman returns cause pple hav in he past acused u of using u r blog 4 promoting u r own stuff………..but then anoher thught comes into my head tht why not talk abt u r own movies why care abt the world “duniya ka sabse bada rog mere baare mein ya kehte hai log “:- ……………hey i know u rarely reply but why he fuck u said sorry to karan johar ……….. i mean ….. fuck man i didnt expect this coming frm u as u call u r self arrogant
wats goin on wid ronin who the fuck casted mayank chutya shekhar to the judges panel he gav ek chalis a 1 star on the ther hand he gives oso 3 star n kank also he same ……… its really sad o see pfc n oz n anurag fucking up wid the reputaion of pfc they hav created :((
AK,
Thanks for this great post.
Straight from the heart. Loved reading it and your story too :)
wow…there r few ppl like u, aamir…who praise good work…who work for quality…the passion for cinema is what matters…few months back i watched the making of lagaan DVD…n saw the passion with which they created lagaan…
hats off to u ppl…
Aamir has spoken out today on TZP and his relations with Amol.Check it out on buzz18 section of ibnlive.com
wow.. your (non)review gave me goosebumps.. i found myself tripping over the words in hurry of reading nextline…
will be catching it first day first show…
- Thank you for this. And thanks for bringing Amol Gupte to the forefront. The name would be lost in the storm that will brew upon the movie’s release with all attention (praise, accolades etc.) directed on Aamir (which he deserves). Though the one who lived and experienced TZP for 14 years to come with such a script, may get little or no mention.
after Aamir’s foray into direction and all the acclaim and accolades he’s gonna win post TZP’s release i wonder how many directors(established/newcomers) would dare to work with Aamir - the actor?
anyways he was always accused of ghost directing most of his films and now that everyone would know what a talented director he is, then what will the filmmakers who’ll be directing Aamir in his forthcoming films have to say about their contribution to the film as it’s director!!
big problem ahead for all the directors who will be working with Aamir - the actor!
if the film is a hit it’s thanks to aamir - the actor and director…but if it turns out to be a flop, then the director of the film is gonna be under the scanner..even after having Aamir he cudnt deliver?? sad!!
anyways lets wait and watch!
Anurag
Imli kay payd kay neechay.
loved it.
I was planning to go all the way to Paris to watch this one (provided wahan release hui hogi), and this post has only made my decision stronger. thanks AK :)
by the way, what’s Mansoor khan doing nowadays, any new projects in pipeline?
and thanks AK :)
:D
Aamir has always tried to get involved with meaningful cinema and had success.I hope that TZP also become a success.I read the review by Taran Adarsh where he has given a positive review,but I was sceptical since this is same guy who is on payroll of Johars and Chopras.But since Anurag has also given a positive review I am definitely going to watch it
as i havent seen the film i wont comment on amirs dir.
but three cheers for amol gupte, WHY?
amir the perfectionist took over the dir. part for some good reason or no reason.
he took over amol’s dream which means the story and script by amol gupte must have been very good.
so three cheers for amol gupte.
before reading the blog i was kind of dilly dally about watching the movie in the first week … but now after reading so many good things about it i will watch it the first day… though i have my doubts about the film being hit.. but definetly its brave attempt on the film makers part
Neeraja
i heard mansoor khan is doing kheti baadi somewhere away from bombay.. no plans of coming back to direction.. i think he is involved with his nephew Imran Khan’s upcoming movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.. which is being directed by Abbas Tyrewala(no not the one from No Smoking) ..
but will be worth the wait… but the filmwalas on pfc can confirm..
Ok buddy boy, I have been nasty. But such treatment is meted out to the ones who dare to rise above the miasma. Your reservoirs of spunk shall carry you forth.
Respect man. Words of caution: don’t wallow in this muck of adhesive admiration.
Total cut …
Your style of NS quite echoed of how one could do justice to one of my all time favourite books - calcutta chromosome. Read it and take your take …. If you choose to render it into celluloid and mess it up …
I am a movie freak and pretty much watch ALL movies from really good ones like KKC to rickshaw wallah classics like Partner, and even the bad ones like Aaja Nachle. Keeping with tradition, I was planning to watch Welcome as well as TZP this weekend, but your words are discouraging me from watching Welcome, as it would be nothing short of insult to the thoughtful film TZP, mostly because I am a huge fan of yours (No Smoking was a marvelous piece of art) and highly regard your inputs.
GT the rights of Calcutta Chromosome lies with a company in UK and they have already offered me the film and the deal did not work out.. so i guess your favourite book is saved from my mess up..
@Badmash
ya ya he is in kunoor (or cunoor, not sure!) doing organic farming but I didn’t know that he had retired from filmdom.
Ajab teri mehfil me dekha Tamaasha
Kahin roshni hai, kahin hai Andhera
Muqaddar chiraagon ke badle hue hain
Koi bujh raha hai, koi jal raha hai
This is what I hate about people in industry, the high and the mighty. They get to see the movie before everybody else does.
Well, even I saw Gulal when AK came to UTV to show his movie. But since I am no longer there I hate it even more.
I am waiting for this movie for so long and AK get to see it first.
I hate you AK but thanks for increasing my appetite.
Aamir always comes across as an eccentric and a weirdo.It seems that he asked for the script of OSO for a two minute appearence in a song.That may be the reason why Amol gupte decided to hand over the microphone to him.
Unbelievable!!
Is the debate over the person Amole Gupte who wrote a movie like Panga Naa Lo?It was shabily conceived and shot like a kids play!!
Yes maybe he believed and wrote a good script for TZP.But in all fairness I belive Aamir took the just decision to do justice to his script.
Film making is not kids play!
- Mohit, the person who appears a weirdo is you. Abusing the comments space to just blurting out anything. The man’s standing there, so lets throw some stones - syndrome.
Guys!! just check out this… noticed it yesterday night…
Taran Adarsh’s review of TZp has a plot summary of the film which is no different from the one at imdb…
Well maybe Mr. Adarsh also writes for imdb anonymously but… can’t say …it is exactly same…
Link to Mr. Adarsh’s review
http://www.indiafm.com/movies/review/13306/index.html
Link to imdb plot summary
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0986264/plotsummary
Well question is was Mr. Adarsh’s review written before imdb’s plot summary…
- RS, does it mean a write who writes a bad story is and never will write a good one? That’s a fanatically depressing view without knowing anything that must have gone during the making of TZP. If you do know the inside view please do tell us. You undoubtedly are an Aamir Khan fan based on your one track view in your second paragraph.
Give room in your mind for Gupte too. A guy who lived for 14 years with the story and for 5 years with the script stood there standing in the cornor during the entire shooting, serving chai, being treated like an extra and see his project hijacked. He went through all this so he could atlast his baby being born. He bore all that to see his story atlast overcome his years of struggles and false promises being made even if it mean without him.
The question to ask oneself is would we do that? And before that question comes the big one? How much have we suffered and struggled to be able to tenderly yet critically view Amol Gupte’s decision and his state in all this.
STR,
Have you seen Panga Naa Lo?
I dont mean to say that a person who wrote that cannot write a great script.It depends on a lot of factors.Ashothosh gawarikar made lagaan.It depends on your thought process at different stages in life.
I am not an insider.But my common sense tells me TZP had a great script.Amole gupte maybe a great human being but that alone cannot transform to great cinema.I think its only common sense for anyone to understand that Aamir took up directing TZP coz Amole was not doing a good job for him as a producer.Aamir did not snatch it from him.He stopped shooting and gave the script back to Amole since he is unhappy with his direction.Amole came back to him since he wanted Aamirs name to be associated with the movie.
Yes I am a great fan of Aamir khan.I will give complete credit to Aamir if TZP is a great movie( Ihavent seen it).Without him it would have gone a completely neglected movie not even worthy of mention probably not even having a release.
Hey Anurag,
Nice Post…
Made me more eager to watch TZP …
Looking forward for the actual review of the movie when it releases ..
Bye…
can we see glims u r of childhood story of boy revenge against bully in HANUMAN returns?
@Bhavesh
Anyone who has read Taran Adrash’s reviews before will know that he reproduces the plot summary verbatim from the film’s marketing material. This is true for Tare Zameen par as well. Check out the film’s official site http://www.taarezameenpar.com/
Pick up any of Taran Adarsh’s so called reviews….You will find a paragraph or two of impeccable writing sandwiched between some atrociously penned sentences.
Anuraag,
May be you might have missed this which is all over the place;;;This says it all…aamir’s reply to one of indiafm questions
There are rumours that you (and not Amol Gupte) have directed Taare Zameen Par.
Yes, that’s true. But that’s not how it started out. A couple of years ago, Amol came to me with a script that I fell in love with. He wanted me to act in it and produce it. I was happy to do both. Amol wanted to direct the film and I agreed since I felt he was capable. But one week into the shooting of Taare Zameen Par, I wasn’t happy with what I saw of the rushes. I lost faith in Amol and his capability of translating on screen what he had so beautifully written on paper. At which point, I expressed my feelings to him and did what was fair and returned the script back to him so that he could direct it for another producer, with another actor. But Amol came back to me and said he wants me to continue as the producer and he decided to step back as the director. After going through various names and options, Amol suggested that I take over as director. Our main concern was the child who has a pivotal role in the film. Both of us felt that we had found a magical child in Darsheel Safary. Any new director coming in would mean a delay of six to eight months and we were afraid Darsheel might grow up. It was Amol’s suggestion that I take over as director. So I took on the responsibility and did the best I could.
Nice post….wud sure watch TZP…
hi there
i really liked the article and the way it was written. Taare Zameen Par is going to be the most awaited movie for me. have been following up every little detail bout the flick on Aamir Khans blog. it goes without saying that i am a HUGE Aamir fan.
he is the only person left in Bollywood who i feel is a genuine cinematic GEM! there may be superstars like SRK n Amitabh Bachan, but Aamir Khan’s cinematic vision beats them all hollow.
I mean does anyone in the industry have the balls to debut as a director and produce as well a film which has no starcast so to speak of, and whose main protagonist is a child?? Its only Greats like Aamir Khan who can dare to venture into such territories!
Having said that i also would like to state that i have great respect for Amol Gupte, who initially was supposed to direct the film, but later on agreed on Aamir’s donning the directors hat. How many people do that?
SO cant wait for the release tomorrow. thanks 4 the wonderful piece.
take care
ciao
hey anurag sir…
hv read smwhere that u r writing for a K Jo venture wid shahrukh in it directed by rensel desilva of “RDB” fame…..is it true..?
the link…
looks like a good film .. will watch it .. but i wudve liked the promos to be a litl more subtle .. amir is literally all over the kids: hugging, kissing, playing the clown, setting hair of kids and all that . its ok .. we got the messg: u love kids.
wud have loved to see Balraj Sahni play this role (ofcourse not possible now) ..
if anyone has seen his Kabuliwala/Seema ..
hey thats the link i read…
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=30&contentid=20071220200712200221054211605a6f0
hey CT..
..bu the way in a rediff interview aamir stated that he and amol are no longer on good terms…amol saw the first cut of film n did not like it…
So Anurag Kashyap is finally being sucked in and absorbed by the `system’….KJo long live!!! Is it true?
dear anurag kashyap..
i’ve been following cinema for a while now and can relate 2 ur rants against film critics and the”kuch kuch hota hain” kind.
someone here compared you to Roark…i think thats a thick coat of crap on ones face.
it takes time for new breakthroughs to be absorbed in popular culture b it any field medicine,sports or cinema.hold on this is not my point.
thing is what a successsful director of popular movies manages to do is gauge the depth of this absorption and then titrate it precisely in his work.
that you managed to get ur point across in satya and black friday is also in part due to this.the audience was primed for this via the popular media.
do u agree?do let me know
My review : FANTASTIC
The experience of seeing the movie with my 5.5 years old son, was just out of the world ! I was looking at him half the time !
Kudos to the team who made this superb work !
Kcp
howd u see it already .. its releasing 2mrw na ?
Anurag writes an article once more ! Once more the “lemme suck up to you” brigade tries hard to close in ! Sad ! Hope this isnt what PFC is all about !
:)
And the “since he’s standing there lets spit on him for free” brigade a.k.a. the “official” chutiyon ki baraat on PFC arrives religiously. Hope this isn’t what PFC is all about!
Something unrelated to TZP, didn’t know where to write so using AK’s space as usual :D
Did anyone watch ‘Strangers’? Is it any good?
TZP :
Link to Aamirs interview (audio)
http://www.esakal.com/features/amir-int/index.html
Nice one..
Filmibhai, Saw it first day first show in Dubai ( where all Hindi movies release one day before India )
and BTW Aamir has done much better ( cannot imagine Balraj Sahni in this role )
:)>-
@aditi
“So Anurag Kashyap is finally being sucked in and absorbed by the `system’….KJo long live!!! Is it true?”
….and in the end K and baba bangali lived happily ever after….^@};-
i m sure this seasons koffee with karan will have some very interesting guests…sab mutual masturbation ka khel hai…jai baba bangali… =d>
-maftiya
V.P.
CKB [Chutiyo Ki Baraat]
PS: playback bhai - agay baro, hum tumhare saath hai…. ^:)
So, now Mafitiya is the VP of Chutiyon ki Baraat and wants to dictate what someone should and shouldn’t do. Kahan kahan se aa jate hain!
@67 like the word chutiyon ki baaraat….n really couldnt agree with you more :D
i think aamir crediting amole gupte as ‘creative director’ is one more laudable thing apart from darsheel’s name coming first,before aamir himself..im aamir & amole mutually decided to go ahead with the project with aamir khan as director..n m also sure aamir is nt one of those who just wanted to direct the film coz he wants the credit..i think he is very secure in his space..goin to watch the film ASAP.
P.S:- Anurag when r u making a film with Aamir?
Ghanta Laudable
Ye woh actor hai jo 36 baar ye discussion karta hai ki credit mai kiska naam pehle ayega..
Ye Koi pehli baar nahi hua ki a kid name has appeared first.. Secondly Ye “laudable act ” adult star ke case mai kyon nahi hota hai.. Ye policy bahut purani hai..Maarne ka mauka usko do jisse tumko koi Darr nahi.. Nothing against mr Amir and iam sure even he doesnt feel that its a laudable act.
Regarding Mr Gupte and Amir.. Yea thats between two ppl..Movie making is all abt Deal.. At the End of the day i guess Maybe Amir and Amol both are satisfied.. I guess no one would have known mr gupte if mr Amir khan was not associated with this movie.. You have a clear cut choice..Take it or leave it.. Mr gupte i guess took it.. I guess its perfectly OK..He was aware..I guess he followed ” If rape is inevitable, lay back and njoy it” kinda mind set..
Amir is humble.. Yea probably but sometimes lagta hai its a case of ” Nazuk Lehr paade Zeher” watever it means..
———————
Regarding other post break ke baad..
filhaal
Koi bujh raha hai, koi jal raha hai
Log Badal rahe hai, Zamana badal raha hai
:-?
P(L)AYBACK, what are we supposed to do if we find an article well written and moving? Say it sucked just prove our own credibility?
I’ve found that someone who encourage me to do more of what works is more motivating than someone who trashes my best efforts to get a small point across. That may not be ideal for all creative people, but just understand that praise does not always equal blind worship. Sometimes, it’s valuable and useful feedback.
The TZP trailer we saw looked alarmingly treacly. It was so syrupy that had I to explain to my friend that Aamir usually can be trusted to do something worthy. Without Anurag’s article, I probably would have put off seeing it — PFC Ronin or not.
Anurag, make your school short into a short film na? please? :)
Anurag, I too was extremly moved by this film. and I just dont know how to thank Amol for thinking about this and Aamir for making it. TZP is indeed a favor to our gen . Also I second you on Darshel- what a brilliant performance- In times when big actors shit bricks to do solos, this kid has pulled the entire first half on his shoulders. Great casting !!
hey rahul…
..welcome to passion for cinema…why dont you share your experiences about parzania here in one of the columns..why not ur own personal blog rather..?.it would be really an elevating experience to read bout such a nice film…
..by the way..what are you working on now a days..?
wOw !!! that’s some review……….
why it’s only aamir who does it again n again…..seriously hope others c(Kh)an come up with such tales…..
@rahul..
it would really be fun..if you had a blog at pfc..parzania was really awesome..!
amol gupte’s moment of truth..
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article§id=30&contentid=20071221200712210222515003d801213
Crediting Amol Gupte as creative director is a nice thing… but knowing that it is his (Amol’s) baby I think they should have both been credited as directors… like Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez for Sin City.
Anyways, I have never seen the movie as being directed by Aamir. Not that hes done a bad job or anything, coz it seems for me that when Aamir comes on screen, everyone else takes a back seat… except this time… aha… its Darsheel… but none of the other factors, including the Director debate, surface when am even watching the promos.
70 Alone
“Ghanta Laudable
Ye woh actor hai jo 36 baar ye discussion karta hai ki credit mai kiska naam pehle ayega..
Ye Koi pehli baar nahi hua ki a kid name has appeared first.. Secondly Ye “laudable act ” adult star ke case mai kyon nahi hota hai.. Ye policy bahut purani hai..Maarne ka mauka usko do jisse tumko koi Darr nahi.. Nothing against mr Amir and iam sure even he doesnt feel that its a laudable act.”
lol agree with u
watched it…good movie..the child is magical…slow paced a bit repititive but lands punches at right places most notably at our hearts….go with ur pockets full of handkerchifs …
I just saw the movie and the tears from my shirt are yet to dry
every moment hits you…hats off to aamir for capturing each emotional moment so brilliantly
im a darsheel fanboy now…im going to stalk him at greenlawns and shake his hand :P
he not only captures a childs mind and a character but also plays out emotion so convincingly
one thing i see common between RDB and TZP is that there is always music blending into the key emotional movmements beautifully…nice job
the best job by shankar eshan and loy so far
my 10 year old brother a fan of the usual cgi movies and SRK gave it a 4 and a half out of five
a lovely film,a must watch
Neeraja,
If you are still checking this, yes I did watch Strangers. It’s ok, better than some of the pretence floating around but its still a little over-weaningly intelligent. You know, trying too hard types. Killed the whole thing. Also Nandana is another Urmila who cant do semi-(pseudo???)-intellectual stuff to save her life! She so pulls the film down. Else, nothing much to take home.
A little better worded version here, if you have the time - http://www.businessofcinema.com/boc/?file=story&id=6243
And about TZP…saw it and I am speechless! It’s gonna be too difficult to be even semi-objective to write a review. The movie is beautiful.
Thanks anupam, will write more often on pfc. Currently I just got back from a month and a half long kashmir trip (research) which will probably be my next.
can u tell us ur experiance in kashmir .. in a blog preferably :)
Rahul,
great to have you here. Parzania was a very daring movie and a great watch. I would love to read you blo
will have to wait another 2-3 days before I can watch taare :(
hey AK, liked ur tamarind tree story!
i liked the movie very much:)>-:)>-
To all friends of K, just read this:
http://abbas-tyrewala.sulekha.com/blog/post/2001/08/surely-you-re-joking-mr-kashyap.htm
AK,
Abbas , fuck why did he give up?????????????????????????
U tributed him well in NS but m sure u wnt take K’s path or have u already????
Does it matter if 1 AK dies , dos it matter if 1 AK’s family dies…. Nthng mattter , wat matters is u shud stnd by wht u believe in…. One who wrote lyrics for Paanch is doin Main hon Na and OSO.. kya kahein… bt yes he is brilliantly pathetic or pathetically brilliant… bt dnt u evr giv up!!!
A Just A
@Fatema
I watched it too, didn’t like it much. I actually watched it after reading you comment here but nah I wasn’t biased. I liked some of the KK’s and Sonali’s scenes together but as you indicate there is not much to it. It drags and worse it drags predictably, with loopholes.
But at the end of the day, definitely a better and prefered option when compared to OSOs and LCMDs.
Hope to catch TZP soon :) Haven’t read a single bad comment aboout it on PFC so far.
@neeraja..
i really doubt if u will EVER hear a bad comment about it TZP..
phoenix’s writeup is pretty much as critical as it gets…
lets see what the Ronins come up with..
TAARE ZAMEEN PAR: MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan
Director: Aamir Khan
Runtime: 156 min.
Rating: ***1/2
Genre: Drama
This much I do know – there’s no such thing as a bad boy
- Spencer Tracy as Father Eddie Flanagan in Boy’s Town (1938)
I love this quote immensely; it has been besides me probably in me for a great part of my journey. Apparently, this quote might seem a bit out of place. On a closer reflection though, Taare Zameen Par at its heart intends to convey a feeling that is a mirror image of the quote. A positive, upbeat, full of heart mirror image of a rather dark and somber observation. And that is – every boy is special. That is true, and I cannot agree more with the film in its belief. What I also believe is that the special boys include me, my brother, my friends and very other boy I know or I don’t know needless of the fact that he is physically, mentally, psychologically, genetically or biologically challenged. Why does it need to be a special-case child, in this case a dyslexic kid, to represent us? Yes, it makes for more drama and probably better engrossing cinema. But please, peep into that kid’s life who builds the 99% of the class. He might just dazzle you with his vision. He wouldn’t be good at painting, but he could surprise you with his insights into history. He could ask you - if three bananas are not divided between three kids, then how many bananas would each kid have. He wouldn’t be good at solving puzzles but he could orate an argument that might just leave you spellbound. Or rather, he wouldn’t have anything apparent up his sleeve. His specialty might just be what this film believes it is preaching but ends up contradicting itself – to LIVE one’s life and not to RACE one’s way through it.
At a moment during the film, Ram Nikumbh (Aamir Khan) while speaking to his friend expresses his disgust at the way parents insist on their children topping every nook and corner of their competitive world. He shrugs – “Rather than having kids, why don’t they breed horses if all they want is to have them lead a life of racing.” It is a truth of our world, sad or not is a great debate, that it is competitive in every which way one looks at it. The film is full of heart, almost brimming with childlike naivety and understandably rebukes this truth. I respect, immensely, how the film goes about its stand on the argument. But, in what was a moment where I was found desperately praying to happen otherwise, the film arrives at the conclusion that the best way to highlight the specialty of the dyslexic kid Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is to reduce it to the very competitive streak it so vociferously reproaches. In this case, it is an obligatory art competition. And that made me sad no end. I felt sorry, extremely, because this is a fine film. A very fine directorial debut by a person who knows cinema like the back of one’s hand, a person who understands the unheralded boundaries of the medium and conjures up little tricks like a true master. And neither this film nor he remotely deserve this self-contradiction when moments before that trite sequence lay a scene that is pure magic, pure cinematic magic. The magical scene I’m talking about is when the Ram and Ishaan look at each other’s paintings, and I wish it all somehow ended there. Every little brush stroke driven by every little kid’s imagination out there is worth something. One can never trivialize them by quantifying them in a competitive mood. The part about movie reviewing I loathe right down to my living guts is the stars. How can I quantify that a film that has affected me is worth so many stars, and hence I pay the least possible attention to it. I guess the uninhibited strokes of a kid’s brush and the multiple colors on his palette do not in the least deserve a competition. No sir, and since I hugely admire Aamir Khan’s intellect I would like to know why he went for that. More so, when he takes great pains to take us through the multiple creations, obviously signaling the importance he holds for them. He delivers a simplistic film so full of heart, yet in the final moments commits an act of pragmatism – a competition that in my opinion indicates resigning to the hard fact of life. Maybe.
Most films concerning the special-case scenario tend to be a third-person narrative where I find myself rarely empathizing, forget sympathizing. Aamir Khan though, through his assortment of trite emotional tricks and clichéd uninteresting characters blended magically with the best of intentions and great usage of the medium, takes us right into the kid’s life. On more than one occasion, he manages in letting us feel the moment – through effective slow motions, mostly judicious usage of background score and most importantly taking us up, close and personal with the protagonist. In almost every sequence the focus is on Ishaan, obviously for it is his story, and the camera blurs everything else in the background. We only need to see the kid, and feel him. There’re beautiful, real beautiful moments scattered all over the place punctuated by real beautiful words from the songs. Young Ishaan, alone and lonely in the Boarding school, is crying no end. Yet, as if resolving to take on another fight in his life, as he has courageously done till now, he opens the tap with trembling hands and wipes the tears of his face. The mother is devastated when she sees a painting by her son that speaks of his insecurity. Most films just shoot such a sequence. Taare Zameen Par captures it in its entire poignant beauty. There’s a difference between emotional and melodramatic. This film is the former almost its entire team with only the briefest of gratuitous forays into the latter. One such element is the father and I can never comprehend what drives a scriptwriter or a director to even etch out such a trite, cardboard character. The father is the very definition of lackluster character development, rather there’s nothing to be developed. Two-dimensional things grow only in the X and Y direction and they are never growing towards us. The mother, for some inane reason, fluctuates between a solid character and a filmy one, so often portrayed in TV serials in all her glory. The treatment that the elder brother’s character gets is why I will never think of this film too highly. Showing the protagonist special is one thing but showing it at the expense of the triviality of a ‘common’ element is rather shallow. As much as the film professes that it loves its kids, the elder brother’s development makes me doubt that for a moment. The kid seems to be picked by almost everyone. A kid, who asks Ishaan to retrieve a cricket ball, decides to beat him. The sequence is handled shabbily, rather the picking on the kid part is grossly overdone.
Though it is very well done, I wasn’t exactly impressed by Darsheel Safary’s performance. It was good but it was a touch contriving-overdone. It seems an effort was made to make the boy as cute and endearing as possible, and I felt aware of that effort. Rendering a character endearing is charm and that charm can never be bought. Safary is more than good in the film, but somehow the overall package of him smelt of contrivance. Maybe it has something to do with his bugs-bunny teeth. Kindly have a look at the attached image, in case you already haven’t watched the film, and see what I’m talking about. Come to think of it why does it need for a special-case to look, you know, ‘special’?
I wish I had the opportunity to appreciate the thematic elements of the film, the finer nuances. I just happen to feel sorry that I recommend the film, heavily, as only a solid entertainer. Often clichéd, often trite yet a strong entertainer. And do not look beyond if you fear disappointment.
great review satish..why dont u post it in i-view for pfc-ronin
Kindly tell me what is “i-view for pfc-ronin”? I’ve next to no idea what/where that is.
Regards
check this link..u will get an idea..
http://passionforcinema.com/pfcronin-seasonone/
Thanks a bunch, Anupam. I’m just about done as far as my participation is concerned.
Regards,
Satish Naidu
hi anurag,
actually, right now i am in bangalore( i was in bombay just 3 months back)…..so not in touch with the bollywood movie business for some time now(actually i am here to design a website for an NGO very close to my heart)……..i visit pfc often……infact i was one of the participants in ur poster contest…….ok, now coming to the point…..TZP is one of the best movies i have seen in a long time…maa kasam! i did NOT expect so much from amir khan(though i love many(70% approx.) of his movies….expect ‘love love love’ and some other mistakes he made …….BUT as on today…..3 CHEERS to amir khan (the director, actor and producer) from me and many of my friends who love movies.
regards,
raaj
Anurag,thanx for giving the backstory on AmolGupte..And i really appreciate your spirit and magnanimity in appreciating good cinema: ‘What the heck, a good film is a good films is a good film.’
Thank God Aamir Khan is stubborn,irritant,perfectionist and whatever the media calls him. During these times of Om Shanti Om, only such a character can dare to make a movie with a kid in the lead role. And like in Rang De Basanti, he is the only mega star who is willing to share screen with a rookie like Siddharth and accept to die in the end.
I cannot understand why Amol Gupte should feel left out. There is not a single interview where AAmir has not put Amol’s and Deepa’s work in the spotlight. I sincerely feel Amol should be elated that his baby was brought out by an efficient doctor like AAmir.
3 Cheers to the whole team and to AAmir’s guts!!
And dearest Satish, I pray to God, one day you will find a movie that is 100% to your tastes.Try watching Forrest Gump, may be it is closer to what you want out of a movie. But, of course you might find Tom Hank’s performance to be a little too stretched!!!
To all others, you might not find too many better films than TZP, even in other languages across the world.
I have not watched TZP, will definately catch up. These days media makes or breaks a film.Look at OSO - what hype & what was it at the end of it -TRASH. Even Aamir has had “The Rising”. It makes me wonder sometimes do brilliant people actually get over confident & take the audience for granted at some point intime.Innumerable examples- Vidhu Vinod,Ramgopal Varma,Ramesh Sippy,Kamalhasan,Shankar (of Sivaji fame)…
what does it take to be consistent???
just read this:
“The best drama, the best thriller and the best political film released in the United States this year is Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Black Friday,’ about a 1993 terrorist bombing that devastated Mumbai (then Bombay) and highlighted rifts between Muslims and Hindus. The police interrogation scenes are more harrowing than anything in this year’s Hollywood films dealing with war, terrorism and torture. The rhetorically dense arguments between cops and suspects grant more insight into how class and religious difference feeds terrorism than anything you read on the op-ed page in the last 12 months. It’s also as expansive as ‘Munich’ and as savagely kinetic as ‘To Live and Die in L.A.’ That this film didn’t get a wider release in the U.S. is a minor tragedy. Rent the DVD immediately.” — Matt Zoller Seitz
wow! congratulations AK! :)
great film…………..great article….:)>-
Anurag
You claimed to be an unconventional genius but not suffering from the reading/writing disorder like TZP kid…but I certainly think that u have that disorder….. You wrote FISHES instead of FISH in your first para abour amul gupta…come on even a kid knows that FISHES is wrong and the plural is also FISH, it shows that u r suffering from that disorder. And your childhood story clearly shows that your innerself is full of negativity and revenge that you cannot express in a productive way because of your weak personality and inferiority complex…and just coated them with self proclaimed genuine but actually dark and soaked in inferiority complex stories and movies. I think u genuinely need a major help to build positive approach and productive thinking in yourself.
hahahahahahaha!!!!
@saima
it’s amole gupte and not amul gupta. it seems u r suffering from that disorder too.
wait, i wrote u instead of you, maybe i suffer from the same disorder. u and i are also suffering from the same inferiority complex and hence need to use PFC for our personal benefit of taking out our frustrations and negativity on mr. kashyap by lynching his personality when we hardly know him personally, because he wrote an inane and innocent piece of fiction.
i guess u have already begun to help yourself to build a positive approach and productive thinking in you by doing so. keep it up, loser!
by the way, related to KM in any way?
Great film and I echo Anurag’s sentiments. When somebody does not seem to be learning (doesn’t matter if it is a child or a grown-up), the fault lies in the way the subject is taught, not with the person who is learning. I think, in general, teachers and educationists need to really look at their work from this perspective.
Hi anurag reel life stories toh aap dete hi ho but what I like about you is you also give us real life stories. I think and iam sure Amol gupte will definately be awarded for best screenplay and story of the year. And the whole world knows whose baby it is still evryone is prasing amir khan becz i belive he has done justice to the script but not to Amol gupte. Ek ko toh harna hi tha. As as audience I give full credit to amol first than darsheel and third comes amir. I would motivate amol to write many such brilliant script nothing is lost. Go for it and come up with brilliant work in near fututre all the best.
Y is Ram Gopal Varma praised 4 Satya??
Y is Ramesh Sippy praised 4 Sholay???
Y isnt Roger Avery’s Pulp Fiction???
@ Saima: I guess you don’t know that the plural of fish is both fish as well as fishes. “Fish” refers to more than one fish of the same species, whereas “fishes” is the collective for fish of more than one species.
Sorry, didn’t want to be a wet blanket, but could’t resist because the fact you use as the basis of your rant is actually wrong!
Watched Taare Zameen par last evening. Had read all the gushing reviews and had gone with my expectations high. Well, for all the noble intentions, and good ideas, for me the film did not work. For me there is only one yarstick for cinema; does it hold me, engage me, keep me invovled. Sadly the movie fails to hold. maybe i am being harsh.But truth is ; i was unmoved by the movie. But i can understand if a lot of people love the movie and i am in a miniscule minority. As far as aamir is concerned, well he is a fine actor and i am sure he would turn out to be a good director in time to come.
Hi AK
very nicely put…. loved every bit of ur review.. or should I say “Not-a-review”… There is no point reveiwing a movie like TZP…We all just have to feel it and it works on its own…. Amul Gupte may be the real star of the movie (other than Darshaan ofcourse)… But Aamir Khan deserves all the credit for having the courage & vision to direct and produce a movie like TZP… we all have to remember that Aamir is a superstar and is part of the commercial stream of movies….Still he belived in a story like TZP, made it and at the end of the day made it work commercially also… Bravo Aamir and your team!!!!
People like Adi Chopra, Karan Johor, SRK should go and watch this movie and learn a few things about film making and also learn what is the real sense of “Hatke” movie…
For people like Shobha Dee and other Media created “Nobodies” just one request —- Just Shut Up!!!
Anurag
I think your blog readers need to know one thing-who directed the film in reality. Can’t be Amir.
If he has indeed then we look forward to his next masterpiece-only we hope he wont steal again.
Two-will you please explain what a creative director actually is?
Then we will know the real HATKE director
Kilroy:d
@whoactuallydunnit…how and why do u expect anurag to know everything. Sir/Maam…u can ask the question directly to aamir. He has a blog of his own. shoot it there.
Hmmph. Why are people so determined to form preconceived notions about people and relationships and to be a part of one party or the other before they appreciate a piece of cinema??
Amole was the creative director. It was his idea, his screenplay, he chose the music and casting along with aamir, he was one who developed the concept. Hence creative director. Aamir directed the movie. hence he’s the director. Is it really so complex?
Anurag kashyap, I’m a huge fan of your writing. You have a penchant for exploring the dark seedy underbelly of society that is refreshing, albeit in a morbid way. Hope you keep writing!
i sud say zat i agree wiz misha , amol n aamir worked together for the success of tzp , its a team work not only aamir’s or amol’s
stop critisiizing someone’s capabilities
for god’s sake
Anurag’s is one of the most candid and honest take on a film like TZP. Film’s credits underline the fact which AK wants to emphasize on thru this piece of art.
kudos to amol, AK & more than anybody , the boy wonder Darsheel
- sanjay
:(
:(
hey anurag, another friday of yours has come…so i get up early, check the newspaper call my friend, and run to PVR Priya to catch up with The Return Of Hanuman, 10 am show…when we reach the counter the guy there who probably knows me by now is shaking his head…I ask him,
“What!!!its houseful???????”
He says, “SHOW CANCELLED”
I am like WHAT THE??? and he tells me that only a couple had bought two tickets before us…
:(:(:(
So I guess, HANUMAN will return for me only on saturday…
Hello Mr. Kashyap :),
I just wanted to say that I found your last movie, No Smoking, very intelligent and thought provoking. It’s one of it’s kind, which indeed is rare in Indian Film Making. I don’t think that Indian mass is already prepared to see that kind of movie, but I wish you would continue making films of impact, not melodramatic ones. Leave those types for Johars, and Chopras. :D
All the best for your animation venture. :)
Dyuas
Hi Anurag,
I happened to see your latest movie Return of Hanuman this early morning… must say … it’s really a good movie. There was a mindset when one watches a animation movie around mythology, but this was very contemporary which made the difference from all the mythological animated movies.
Special mention about ChitraGupt, Narad, Brahma were very impressive. GOOD WORK !! One thing to comment on, technically the animation is not that advanced as how it is in the recent times, dont know whether it was done intentionally ….
There’s a request from my side, when can i expect a movie of yours with actors like Amitabh Bachchan, music by AR Rehman and cinematography by Santosh Sivan. Anticipating a response from your end.
Regards,
Suraj Nair
Tujhe sab kuch pata hai na Maa… anyone who didn’t cry in that song of the film, should stop watching films…
dear Anurag,
It is likely that perhaps if the film had continued with the earlier director, we could have had a good film , not a great film.
With the type of perfectionism that aamir strives for, it is no wonder that we are hooked to the boy and the rest of the ensemble from the word go till about interval, when we slap our foreheads and yelp..oh yeah there is aamir too…!
That itself should speak volumes of what good Aamir has done with an outstanding script.
warm regards
nd
Anurag…I worship your work…..not everything though…may be Satya or a Black Friday…
From now on I would be a regular to your blog too..
:d/
Hey noticed something
AK for Anurag Kashyap
and AK for Aamir Khan…
bye the way check my reveiw of TZP on http://www.supershiva.blogspot.com
AND AK i am 14 trying to write a story on’
http://www.versatilecollection.blogspot.com
they protrayed the emotions of a kid in a neat simple way where everyone could identify with. gr8 movie..
Watched TZP - i am falling short of adjectives (in the positive sense ofcourse). This is what sets Aamir apart from the other Khans.
Also caught up on Hanuman Returns - i returned home midway during the interval. Anurag this was a disappointment.The child in me did noit relate to it , better luck next time buddy
tzp is very nice indeed .. tho occasionally it betrays the fact that its a bollywood production - amir’s intoductory clown jig , few bad actors (caricatursh teachers and schoolboys)
its in imdb top 250 :O
damn . wrong smiley .. i was actually pleased
I beg to disagree…I know it’s rather late in the day to be commenting on Taare Zameen Par, but as they say, better late than never. I also know it’s not fashionable to unfavorably critique TZP, nevertheless I’m going to do so.
At the outset, let it be understood that it is a good film, an extremely effective film. My criticism is based on other factors.
I guess by now everyone has seen the film so I needn’t go into the story. So, I’ll just begin with what’s good and what’s not.
The script: The script suffers from three major flaws. One, it is simplistic portrayal with no layering. All characters are caricatures. The good are very good and the bad are very bad. Two, Nikumbh’s character does not have any conflict (external or internal) in the second half. Apart from a token resistance from the school principal, there is no obstacle in his path. Three, it lacks a certain punch in the gut in the end. Ishan’s improvement is miraculous (except for him misspelling enough and struggling with the digit 8, there was no evidence of him being dyslexic), he wins the painting competition, all’s well with the family and so on. For films like TZP to be effective, we need a tragic or semi tragic ending. Just change the ending to Ishan wins the painting competition but is still forced to normal school, doomed to a fate of special schools forever and just see the reaction. I guarantee there won’t be a single dry eye. And it is believable. If we can show limited understanding of dyslexia in India, it is quite believable that Ishan could be expelled.
The script is contrived in several places to up the emotional quotient and the effort shows. For instance, in the scene between Nimkubh and Ishan’s parents where Nimkubh informs them that their son might be dyslexic, the father raves and rants about how such a person will survive in the outside world while Nimkubh listens in hapless silence with his teeth gnashing to convey his frustration. Yet, in the very next scene, he tells the boys in the school that famous personalities from Einstein to Edison to Agatha Christie were dyslexic and that dyslexia is not an inhibiting problem. A case of selective memory recall, Mr. Khan?
Then, what was that with the inane confrontation between Mr. Khan and Ishan’s dad when the dad comes to school prove a point and score one over Nimkumbh. I thought that surfing the internet for information at least shows an effort to understand. Agreed, that it is more important to show support in other ways; a hug here, a pat there, but Mr. Khan almost makes it sound like a crime that the mother is surfing the Internet for information on dyslexia!
For a teacher of special children and a former dyslexic himself, Nimkumbh is easily overcome. Whenever he is sees children who are challenged in some way, he is always lachrymose. How about a little stoicism and good cheer, Mr. Khan?
On the other aspects of the film, the dialogue is heavy and stilted. The lyrics are strictly average. Mr. Joshi, like Gulzarsaab in recent times, tries too hard. Yet, apart from the Maa and the title track which still pass muster, his lyrics are neither poetic not evocative. Contrary to popular opinion, I found Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music good. Cinematography is competent. The script doesn’t require it and the cinematographer doesn’t try to unnecessarily wow us with snazzy angles.
On the positive side, Darsheel is endearing and a natural in front of the camera. He does justice to a demanding role. I hear he’s made dyslexia fashionable. He may do the same for big, buck teeth. Dakota Fanning, watch out, here comes Darsheel. Kudos to Mr. Khan for extracting a superlative performance from him.
As usual, Mr. Khan is excellent in an (again, as usual) understated kind of way. In many scenes, it is only after watching his reaction to a situation does that lump in your throat emerge. Having seen him act over the years, and now direct, I am convinced that he is the best film talent we’ve got. If only he’d let himself go. While TZP is an excellent film, a refreshing film, the likes of which we’ve seen emerge from Bollywood after a long time. But it still lacks that flash of brilliance which could have made it sublime. It’s not that Mr. Khan doesn’t try. His crime is he tries too hard. To play safe. He realizes that he’s dealing primarily with Indian audiences and accordingly ups the melodrama quotient to the overall detriment of the film. But maybe that’s just my perception. I am a firm believer of the minimalist school.
TZP is a sincere effort and deserves at least a 4 on 5. But because it is Mr. Khan at the helm, I will give it a 3.
Smitha, I could not disagree with your points more :) will articulate why soon.
//Three, it lacks a certain punch in the gut in the end. Ishan’s improvement is miraculous (except for him misspelling enough and struggling with the digit 8, there was no evidence of him being dyslexic), he wins the painting competition, all’s well with the family and so on.//
um, were we watching the same movie?? as a person who grew up with a learning disability, I loved the techniques Nikumbh is shown using to help Ishaan….the steps for math, the decreasing square to help his handwriting, clay letters, they were so crucial to show that this wasn’t magic, that things didn’t miraculously correct themselves overnight, it took a little patience and imagination.
when Nikumbh is shown admonishing Ishaan’s parents, he refers to “an almost 8 year old child”
By the time the art competition comes about, they say “9 year old Ishaan”. A year has gone by before the competition takes place.
People complain that the movie lacked subtleties, and then fail to grasp the subtext. Or is it just fashionable to bring down a movie?
Hmmm…. very difficult to say anything conclusive here.
Is TZP realistic? Not really! Ishaan does not display any of the classic symptoms of autism. His melodramatic recovery indicates that he is, atmost, a borderline case (top 0.5 percentile). So, in the end this is a feel-good film that doesn’t convince someone with a real special needs kid.
Maybe, if Amol had made it himself… TZP would have been closer to reality! Or maybe, it will get seem by millions onl because Aamir Khan made it the way he did!
But, this is a very important film because it will help generate awareness about special needs… not among those that deal with special needs up-close, but with those that do not have any understanding about what it takes to deal with a special needs child.
Misha, your point is taken…even though I still disagree…agreed his methods are imaginative but Ishan’s never shown making any mistakes and misspelling words (except enough)during the period. And I have sevral dyslxic friends who also agree that a year, possibly less since he joined in the middle of the term, is too less for that kind of improvement.
Anyway, what about my other contentions?
Hi Anurag,
I really don’t know who hold the rights for these words. To me the word ‘brilliant’ means a lot. And TZP is not brilliant. It is a good film (in its own terms) and i am sure it will do a lot of good to lots of suffering children, ignorant parents and to hindi cinema. It is a great thing.
But making the film ‘brilliant’ takes more than that. here are few things i find which doesn’t qualify TZP for the ‘Brilliant’ title:
1. TZP stuck to the usual formula of - underdog, savior hero, final victory.
2. Characters are created just for the convenience of story telling, by forgetting they have a life of their own. So you end up with ‘bad’ father, ‘idiotic’ teachers, ‘ignorant’ principal and of course a gem of a hero.
3. This is the fundamental problem with most of the Hindi films. As an audience i have got no space in the film. It is an one way traffic. I have been asked to sit in the chair and cry or laugh as in when instructed by the filmmaker.
Anurag, i felt a bit cheated to see that you have called it a ‘brilliant’ film. But i am happy that you said it is not your kind of film and you will never make anything like this.
thanks
Haridas
@131 Smita Jain
//Contrary to popular opinion,// is KEY LINE in the entire review!!
@131 Smita Jain
//The lyrics are strictly average. Mr. Joshi, like Gulzarsaab in recent times, tries too hard. Yet, apart from the Maa and the title track which still pass muster, his lyrics are neither poetic not evocative.//
When was last time Lyrics even mentioned in a Film Review? That itself is more than achievement for Prasoon.
“Yeh omlete par jeete hai, tonic saare pite hai”
“Baarish hai ya asmaan mein, chhod diye hai nal khule kahin”
“Har kaam ko taala karte hai, yeh to sapne paala karte hai”
This is Genius!!! IMHO
Mayb ur idea of poetry is heavy un-understandable words!!
TZP breaks into IMDB top 250 list. Visit imdb.com for more details.
Apparently TZP is the only hindi movie in the entire list.
Hi Anurag,
I am trying to reach you but the number I have of you is not working. Will it be possible for me to meet up with you? Here is my email add:
vipinsemail@gmail.com
Thanks.
PS: I played Darsheel’s father in TZP. Just in case you didn’t recognize me by my name.
Taare Zameen Par
-a true motion picture
Sanjit Singh Dang, PhD.
Dec25, 2007, Milpitas, California.
sanjits@gmail.com
http://www.sanjitdang.com
http://www.taarezameepar.com
http://www.aamir-khan.com
Ok. here’s Aamir presenting his first official directorial effort (unofficially, he has probably directed several movies…Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Ghulam, maybe some parts of Lagaan since I can see his stamp here and there, …). So, howz the movie ‘Taare Zameen Par’? The film is made with a lot of conviction and sensitivity. It has a unique script with a social message, executed differently compared to contemporary Hindi cinema.
I always want to see Aamir Khan movies right from the very first shot, be it the standard shot saying ‘all characters in this film are fictitious….bla bla bla’. But due to unavoidable reasons, we reached the theatre 2minutes post the scheduled start time, but I was lucky to find that it had not yet started. As soon as we sat down, my 3-year old daughter Taarini demanded popcorn. Knowing her craze for the popped corn, I had to rush to get it. The counter lady was too slow for me and irritated me by her Qs: do you want butter on popcorn or not? your credit card doesn’t work. …Grrrrrrrrr…I almost grabbed her neck and rebuked her for eating away an extra 50seconds! By the time I re-entered the hall, I saw a boy onscreen staring at some water. It was the opening shot, ahhhhhh, a sigh of relief. I watched the sequence with eyes wide open: how a mesmerized Ishaan stares at the tiny fishes from the gutter, how he picks them up using his small fishing net, how he pours them into his water bottle, and how his hobby time is suddenly cut short by the rude bus conductor who scolds him yet again for keeping the bus waiting. I simply loved how the entire sequence of picking up aquatic creatures from the gutter was shot. The scene was very nicely done, each shot was crystal clear and well-intended. That told me right-away that Aamir, the director, knows the nuances of his craft very finely. And that impression continued throughout the film. This sequence also established the free-spirited lifestyle of Ishaan. The next hour delves deeper into his day-dreaming mind, each scene solidifying that Ishaan just wants to be mentally free from the shackles of our systems.
The movie identifies with us, touching our emotional chords. We can relate to Ishaan staring out of the window during class, or being compared to his studious elder brother, or being rebuked for low marks by teachers and parents. In parallel, the film is extremely sensitive. I had tears in my eyes whenever Ishaan or his mother got sentimental: like the departing moment at boarding school, the following ‘Maa’ song, or when Ishaan runs into Aamir’s arms while receiving the best painting prize. Prasoon Joshi’s soulful lyrics and music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (that appeals more with the visuals) jell nicely with characters’ emotions. Aamir also uses colors effectively to paint the rainbow in Ishaan’s mind.
BTW, did you notice that in the bus, Ishaan always sits next to the driver, probably to get a big-screen view of the city traffic and roads, and also to escape from rest of the class sitting behind him. I remember, as a child, I’d also love that seat, rest of the seats behind seemed too mundane to me. That seat is very interesting and appealing because you get to see a large-scale panaromic view of the world through the big glass in front, and also you get to see the gear movement (which, as a child, seemed fascinating to me).
Moving on, I loved the way Aamir depicts the protagonist’s free mind and his free way of life in the first half. I could easily identify with things like staring out of the window at nothing, fingering your nose, reading any stray sign, walking on streets alone, sitting in bathroom idly day dreaming some random thoughts about winning in cricket, etc. Although I was really good at studies (thanks to my mother’s stick), but I had a haywire side to me as well. As a child, I wanted to be a film-maker and would ‘deliver’ my Filmfare speech at home in 8th grade itself whenever I was alone at home. So, I can easily relate to the fact that kids have a hidden treasure in them that this world doesn’t let unleash. Actually, India (and probably Asia) is more a culprit to this phenomenon because of over-population which creates competition. My last 10 years in the USA have taught me that they do let the child be free here, relatively speaking.
But I felt that the film could have been tighter. Aamir could have edited out some of the self-governing shots of Ishaan. Although they are a treat to watch because they are picturised so beautifully and I can identify with them, but they do slow down the narrative pace. Towards the later part of the 1st half, I started feeling itchy about when Aamir will come, when he’ll discover the dyslexia in Ishaan,…come on, give it to me NOW. My impatience was because I had read umpteen glorious reviews online. Also, the song ‘Kya hai problem…’ could have been removed. During intermission, my father correctly remarked that Aamir could have said all this in just 5min (ha ha ha). Even after Aamir appears, he takes his own time to recognize the reason behind Ishaan’s behavior. BTW, hey, I loved the way Aamir appeared. I wish if any of my new school teachers had introduced themselves the way he did.
Darsheel does not act, I really can’t imagine he was acting. He talks with his eyes. His performance was so natural that I felt he was just playing his own self. How can you act that expression on the terrace after the cricket fight? The camera also loves the expression so much that it doesn’t want to move away; I thank cameraman Setu and director Aamir for giving the halt on that shot, I could have watched that shot for ages and ages…or the face when he pleads to his parents not to send him to boarding school. Or how he feels lonely in hostel room at night or sitting in canteen not willing to touch his rice plate. My God, what a face, what eyes! Thats why, I say Darsheel doesn’t act, he just plays himself. I’d give kudos to Aamir’s eye and heart for spotting Darsheel. In a recent interview, Aamir said he chose Darsheel for the role after watching him for just a few seconds. I’m sure Aamir just saw his eyes and said wow, what expressive eyes! He acts from his expressions, a lesson today’s big stars need to learn from him. Darsheel has the potential to become a true actor of the caliber of Naseerudin Shah and Raghubir Yadav. I can’t say about his stardom because acting and fame don’t always go together, unfortunately. Hey, the Bollywood world, do we have the Best Actor award for Darsheel Safari this year? After all, it should be an award for performance, not limited by stardom or age, right? he he he….(laughing at the awards’ juries because I know they don’t have the nerves of Aamir…..oops, nerves of steel).
Tisca Chopra is equally brilliant as the mother, She has a beautiful face and can emote naturally. Infact, I think she is better than Aamir in making us cry. Vipin Sharma as Ishaan’s father was good only in parts. At times, he was overacting and had many unnecessary pauses in his dialogue delivery.
The song ‘Jame Raho’ is likeable after you watch the visuals. The beginning shot of the third stanza ‘Yahan kuch alag andaaz hai…’ showing a lazying Ishan brought a quick laugh from the audience. The disparate lifestyle of Ishan vis-a-vis his topper elder bro is nicely depicted. It reminded me of my childhood days. My younger bro was way more disciplined than me: he’d get up quickly on 1 sound, he’d reach the bus stand always in time…..whereas I had a hard time getting up in the morning (I’m still the same), and I always barely caught my school bus (similar to Ishaan). See, the character is so real that it’s very easy to identify with the film: great scripting by Amole Gupte!
Aamir uses colors very effectively. I loved the red and yellow mixing of a spot using the index finger…the whole shot is brilliant and now I understand why Aamir used it as the opening shot of the first trailer released. He continues the use of colors to depict the rainbow in the mind of Ishaan. The boarding school building has a nice mix of red and white colors, used effectively as a backdrop in the ‘Maa..’ song. Oh, that takes me to my favorite song of the movie! ‘Kya, itna bura hoon main Maa?’…these words kept lilting in my mind even after the movie. Song ‘Maa…’ really moved me. It generated a sense of re-respect in me for my mother, not that I don’t respect her otherwise, but I think after we grow up and become adults and breed our new generation, life gets tough time-wise. So, it’s good to get a refresher regularly that reminds us of what our parents did for us. My wife and my mother were also crying during this song. The song also shows scenes that I could easily relate to when I went to the hostel for the first time for engineering, the difference being that my Dad was way more emotional than Ishan’s. I think this song by itself can send chills down the audience’s spine, that’s what happened to me when I saw this as the latest trailer even before I had watched the movie. The scrapbook drawings showing Ishaan getting slowly away from his family is a brilliant concept of how a child painter would paint his pain. Tisca Chopra is equally exceptional as the Mother, I wish Bollywood had tapped her earlier. She has a beautiful face and can emote naturally, what more do you want from an actress? Infact, I think she was better than Aamir, the actor, in making us cry. She is the only actor who was able to keep up with the tall performance of Darsheel. Aamir, the actor, reminded me of Akele Hum Akele Tum…some tears looked just artificial. Vipin Sharma who played Ishaan’s Dad was good only in parts. At times, he was overacting and had many unnecessary pauses in his dialogue delivery.
Overall, Aamir has done a neat and awesome job as a director. Today’s directors play on audience’s cheesy interest and human eye’s lack of quick perception by showing semi-clad heroines and split-second shots. But Aamir decides to create his own cinema by depicting Ishaan and his mother’s heartfelt countenances with immense patience…again and again and again. It’s almost as if Setu’s camera is in sheer love with its new-found soul-mate: the inner pain of these two characters. And mind you, every time, there’s a shot showing their suffering face, your heart will cry, I challenge you on this! Besides portraying a child’s mind intricately and beautifully, TZP also moves Indian cinema one notch higher by virtue of a strong script by Amole Gupte, an honest presentation, and poignant performances, along-with a message on children’s upbringing. his has been the hallmark of Aamir Khan movies recently: Lagaan, DCH, RDB, and TZP carries that forward. What a piece of art! I don’t think this is a film, it should be classified as visual art in motion or a true motion picture. GO, GO WATCH IT!
I watched this movie in California’s Naz8 theatre (San Jose) with my family on Dec24 at 3pm show. This area (California’s Silicon Valley, aka Bay Area) has multiple Hindi movie theatres, so no one theatre typically gets full, especially on a Monday. Considering this and the fact that it was afternoon time, the theatre was half-full, which is great! No one moved throughout the movie, except a 2-3 year old girl who kept asking her Mom why they are beating Ishaan, why they are scolding him…..Her mom had to console the crying girl repeatedly. Everybody got up once the first end title appeared, but they sat down again, realizing that Aamir has more to say. My 3-year old daughter (who is a Shahrukh die-hard fan and makes a phone call to SRK everyday inviting him to visit our home in California) also loved parts of your movie. She stood up and was dancing at the Bum Bum Bole song. My mother had tears…..I noticed it at the end, she liked the movie and said it was different. My wife cried through 3/4th of the movie. So, Aamir made a movie that appealed to 3 generations! Kudos for the venture into the world of the real stars. I am glad we have film-makers like you in Bollywood. If this film goes to the Oscars, I’ll drive down to LA and help with publicizing the movie in Hollywood to get the jury to watch it (I know this is needed, based on Lagaan experience Aamir had).
I am proud to be a part of the Aamir Khan fraternity for the last 20 years. I am proud to believe in Aamir. TZP is exactly the kind of beliefs that Aamir always stands for. There’s no Shahrukh, Karan Johar, Yash Chopra, Bhansali,…..who can match up to Aamir’s astounding level of self-belief and also have guts to execute on that belief (after all, film-making needs money investing also). Or else how can you explain Aamir choosing to direct TZP when he didn’t see Amole Gupte giving justice to the film? Aamir did it because he believed in the subject, the script and felt strongly that this story needs to be told to the public…a public that is bent to create only doctors and engineers, but no Einstein or CV Raman! Maybe now India will breed the next CV Raman or have a chance at Olympics.
I can’t help but write down the words of the title song to end this review because it feels so good after watching the movie. Now, I truly understand the meaning of the lyrics. Now, I’ll be raising my daughter differently. I’m going to watch it again and again…
To every child in this world:
Tu dhoop hai, jham se bikhar.
Tu hai nadee, O bekhabar,
Beh chal kahin, ud chal kahin,
Dil khush jahan, teri to manzil hai wahin.
-Sanjit Singh Dang, PhD.
Dec25, 2007, California.
ps: Aamir, I totally agree with your comment about movie Black. I found nothing good in that movie.