(Taare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan, India 2007, 162 min., 35mm, Hindi with English subtitles)
Aamir Khan stepped into the director’s chair for the first (and so far, only) time for this story of a young boy struggling at school and at home. Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is eight years old, loves art, animals, and playing outside, although he has trouble playing with the other boys. His family includes his father, who expects the best out of his sons, his mother, who is frustrated at trying to help Ishaan, and his older brother, an exemplary student who unintentionally overshadows Ishaan at every step. When Ishaan’s grades and behavior become too problematic, he is sent to a boarding school to learn through discipline. Enter new art teacher Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Khan), who sees something in Ishaan that he can relate to all too well. Through diversified learning techniques and emphasis on Ishaan’s strengths, he learns to value who he is instead of fitting into the form imposed on him.
