Sitaare Zameen Par: Steers clear of sounding preachy and focuses on a new normal...

 

The first thing about Sitaare Zameen Par (SZP) that draws your attention, it does not carry any baggage from Taare Zameen Par (TZP). The creators decided to paint on a fresh drawing board with no reclamation from the past. And which is why SZP catches its audience by surprise and does not disappoint you. While TZP was dealing with a problem which most of us as a community were getting exposed first hand. But SZP deals with a scenario were some of us have some inkling of it. Also, the beauty or if I may say the strength of SZP was more in the fact that it does not sound preachy and it takes us through imperfections in life. Including the protagonist, Gulshan (Aamir Khan) who does not wear the badge as seriously as he did in TZP as Ram Shankar Nikumbh. Gulshan is a mess at home (Dolly Ahluwalia and Bijendra Kala in a hilarious chemistry as Gulshan's parents), an even bigger mess at his workplace, an alcoholic prone to doing dangerous acts with DUI. In all Gulshan (the name is metaphorical) is a complete opposite to Ram Shankar Nikumbh (again do not miss the eye for detail in naming chracters). 

The film deals with a set of children and young adults who are all specially abled and are coping with the usual ups and downs. At no point in time the director (R.S. Prasanna) wants the audience be a part of the sob story rather look these characters as role models who are looking to fight it out at every challenge being thrown to them. Aamir excels in the moments when he initially has to deal with the children and at a point casually even asks the judge that why does he have to deal with mentally challenged kids. The judge admonishes him and at a point even severely penalises Aamir (Gulshan) with a heavy/steep fine on making such loose comment. 

SZP is breezy and the backdrop of sports (basketball) makes it all the more immersing to watch. It has a fresh set of faces with Genelia (as Aamir's separated wife) Deshmukh, brings in an interesting and vibrancy to the plot. But it’s those 10 specially abled children who bring in the zest and fervour to the plot. It could always fall on the predictable lines of losers eventually becoming winners but the process becomes vital. The film was about joy and celebration and fun and a whole lot of worries and troubles be left in the back burner and not to mull over the past. Every day is a brand-new day and of new hope with optimism. 

SZP may lack the polish and the finesse that TZP had but the earnestness in the plot makes for the part where audience enjoy the process and the fun with the gang. It engages the audience to be part of Gulshan's perfectly (imperfect) team and makes claim "sabka apna apna normal". Thus, forming the central core of the film. It is a complete out and out entertainer and the superstar baggage that Aamir always had the option was discarded. Remember Rang De Basanti where he was happily obliging to take a back seat and let the others steal the thunder. 

Music is spot on and the team did not take risk with experimenting. The trusted and able hands of Shankar Ehsaan Loy do the talking (read singing). Each number brings out the fun and the zest in the plot. 

The casting is fresh and brings in some old wine in new bottle. SZP brought in quite a crowd in theatres and had families coming in to join the journey. It was indeed heartening especially to see the crisis that Hindi cinema is experiencing and then this underrated gem gets dropped at cinema hall.

Do watch these twinkling stars (sitaare) as they weave a magic and leaves you wondering perhaps this is the new normal.