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By Faridoon Shahryar, July 21, 2008 - 19:00 IST
The colour of the sky above
Is different from what you've
Made me believe it to be
Butterfly stars flip
Through the smiling tree
Hey, did you see!
Fishes like dreaming
In crystal unclear waters
Can you just let them be?
Taare Zameen Par is a rare poem that was written on the canvass of celluloid by the genius of Aamir Khan; strongly aided by the powerful script-concept of Amole Gupte. The film had a dream run at the Box Office and earned encomiums from the critics. Aamir has often written on his blog as to how he has been trying to do something special with the DVD of this extraordinary film.
Packaging
The cover is designed as if a thick school book containing Ishaan's flip book, exclusive prints of Ishaan's final painting, Nikumbh sir's final painting, and a pencil with octopus dancing merrily, besides the DVDs of the film and its special features. Released by UTV Home Entertainment, Taare Zameen Par DVD is a connoisseur's delight.
What's so special
- Making of the film:
It is easily one of the best makings of any movie in recent times. No, it's not a hastily put together rag tag bunch of interviews conducted before a chroma. It chronicles the entire process of filmmaking right from the script reading session to the 'creative differences' between Aamir and Amole, the insecure nervousness of the first shot, the triumphant shoot in Chembur home of Ishaan thereafter, the change in paradigm with the Panchagani leg of important portions, difficulty and simplicity of shooting with kids, what makes Darsheel Safary a gifted actor (Aamir describes him as one of this best actors he has worked with or seen in action), the process of recording the songs (in a Mumbai studio) and then the background score in Aamir's mansion in Panchagani (make shift studio was created far from the hustle bustle time-sapped Mumbai and the way Khan explains his requirements have to be seen to be believed).
Important insight is also given into why 2D Animation was preferred over the supposedly advanced 3D version in a particular scene, the mechanism of claymation artistry (the title sequences where the insects, octopuses, birds, fishes search for their space) is an exciting proposition, the peep into the powerful water colour world of renowned artiste Sameer Mondal is a revelation...The Making of Taare Zameen Par is over an hour long but still it's as gripping as the film is. It tells you that any art form doesn't merely rely on precise technical knowledge; it's the subtle sensitive touch, the heightened passion in your beliefs that elevates a good idea to being a great reality. Director and Editor of this 'Making', Shweta Venkat's effort must be lauded. Incidentally, she's also one of the camera persons capturing myriad moments.
- Deleted Scenes
There are seven deleted scenes along with Aamir's explanations why they were deleted from the film. Each one has been given a name like Loo Bully, Ishaan Cries etc. It was good that the scene Nikumbh's House was deleted because as a school teacher (with no known references of being born with a silver spoon), Nikumbh couldn't have afforded a lavish house and a designer laptop.
- Audio CD of Background Score
The twenty two sequences that have been put together are exceptional examples of brilliant craftsmanship. Shankar-Ehsan-Loy take a bow! The music arrangements are meticulous and the melody augments the mood. Special mention has to be made about Loy's display of mastery while playing Harmonica at several junctures. A heartwarming bonus for one-n-all.
- English Subtitles
This will enable the film to reach out to a cross section of people all over the world who shall benefit from its novel spirit.
Mild examples of self indulgence
- Audio Commentary
The first DVD contains two versions of the film. The first one has an Audio Commentary by Aamir Khan while the second one lets the film unfold itself on its own. Now when you've seen-n-heard so much about the entire process of filming from start to finish (a lot of it from Aamir himself) in the Making of the film, then what's the point in piecing a film together with details of every single shot starting from the initial credits till the end. It's an exercise in self indulgence which could have been avoided.
- Panel discussion on children
Aamir moderates a tireless discussion between four experts on children behaviour, dyslexia and the kind of mental traumas that afflict children. At a running time of over 40 minutes, it's an exercise in hard selling a 'message' which is needless. The reason why Taare Zameen Par is a phenomenal film is in its unique ability 'not to preach' but just let things unfold at their own pace. It is entertaining for most parts and even when you cry during poignant moments in the film, those are satiating tears of self identification and empathy with what the characters are going through. Enough awareness about Dyslexia has been created through the film and we don't want Aamir Khan to turn a TV anchor telling the world what needs to be done.
Extra features
Technical Details
- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen format
- Running time: 156 min
- Dolby Digital 5.1
What makes Taare Zaamen Par a special film
It's a touching journey of Ishaan Awasthy (Darsheel Safary) from being a misunderstood eight year old to finding his way because of the patient love-n-care of his teacher Nikumbh sir (Aamir Khan). Ishaan is afflicted with Dyslexia (a state of difficulty where kids are unable to identify letters, numbers and are afraid of heights). His father considers the repeated failures in class owing to lack of concentration and naughtiness. Ishaan is sent to a boarding school where it's hammered into him that he has bheja kum and is a complete misfit till the new art teacher like the dew on a thirsty dry leaf enthuses a fresh lease of life. Taare Zameen Par is a film about hope and transformation from what one could have become to what one finally Becomes.
Darsheel is a natural born actor who stuns with his grasp of what the character is and how it should behave. Aamir provides the perfect unselfish foil to this budding young find. Of course, Aamir Khan the director delivers the long promised brilliance and that too in abundance. Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's music adds a huge impetus to the film while Prasoon Joshi's lyrics enhance the shelf life of this film by several more years.
Final Verdict
Taare Zameen Par DVD is a must buy for all the parents, would be parents and cinema lovers in general. Here's hoping the film industry shall take a lesson from such a film as this and rather than only cracking multi crore deals, concentrate on making films that not only entertain but make you think constructively without being overtly preachy.
  
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