A movie that depicts a dyslexic child’s pressure in an early age.
Warning: Spoilers
Every one of us has our own unique abilities. We excel in different concepts in life, as it is already ‘engraved’ deep inside us since we came to life. Yet, in society's perspective, there are such abilities and achievements that are quite ‘low’ and can be thought of as ‘that child will have no future’ stigma. This pressure applies to every child in different countries, no matter the age, without knowing the child’s limits on mental capabilities.
Like Stars on Earth, originally titled as Taare Zameen Par, is an Indian children drama film directed by the famous Aamir Khan back in 2007. The movie talks about an 8 years old dyslexic child named Ishaan, who has a hard time in reading and writing yet outshines in art and painting. Due to the pressure he feels whenever his father and teachers call him an ‘idiot’ or ‘duffer’, he becomes rebellious when it comes to learning.
Unable to control him and fearing he’ll be dropped out of school after being in his second year in third grade, his father sends him to a strict boarding school in order to ‘straighten’ Ishaan’s way of thinking and academics. Ishaan, who did not like the idea, thought that he had been abandoned by his own family, as his father kept throwing hurtful words and shouldering pressure on him.
Since the professors in the school are cast-iron teachers, the pressure he feels keeps going heavier as he just hears laughter from the class when he answers or shows his handwriting. He lost his will to life, being depressed at an early age, and lost his bright and active side. He even stopped painting, the one thing that keeps him happy and proud of.
Nikumbh, the new art teacher played by Aamir Khan, is an easy-going guy whom every student loves, starts observing Ishaan as he suspects the child being depressed and does not see any sparkle in his eyes. He sees Ishaan’s way of writing, and starts being emotional and worrying for the child as he sees himself in Ishaan. He visits Ishaan’s parents and tells them that Ishaan stopped painting altogether and he suspects that he has dyslexia. He tells him how Ishaan feels in his perspective, the pressure the society has given him, and how he looks like he lost his will to live.
"Life is really not about getting the top grades and competing with others, don't try stretching all the fingers; they might break! Sometimes in life, it is healthy to be slow and dumb."
"There's a merciless and competitive world out there. And in this crazy world, everybody want to grow toppers and rankers. If you want to win competitions, then breed race horses, damn it! Don't have kids!"
Nikumbh starts inspiring Ishaan that every one of us has our own struggles that we can get over with, and starts teaching him 2-3 hours a day until his reading and writing improves. This realization made his father feel guilty for all the words and pressure he has put on his own child, without knowing the reason behind it all.
In order for Ishaan to regain his confidence and for him to realize how special he is, Nikumbh put together an art contest, where the winner’s output will be the school’s cover page for their yearbook. Ishaan gets emotional as he sees Nikumbh’s painting of Ishaan’s smile, and how he was applauded and cheered for when he won the contest.
The movie’s theme might not be that unique in the movie industry, but it raised awareness for children with dyslexia. It depicted how society constraints a child’s capabilities, as it is only thought that ‘smart people are the only ones that will succeed in life’. This way of thinking slowly damages the child, as you are being unaware of the child’s overall limits in health or mentally.
It is shown that despite the stigma of dyslexia, one who has such learning disorder, can still learn slowly with patience and has the brightest minds out there. They should be encouraged rather than being looked down to, and bear in mind that this disorder is not someone who is 'mentally-retarded'.
Such pressure being thrown onto them will lead to dejection and despondency in such early age, and one day they will just sink down, unable to come back up again. This state of mind should be cleared and be helped immediately, before everything will turn downwards for the child's mental and emotional health.
Despite the rather 'dark-comedy' themes of the songs in the movie to appoint fun, I find this movie rather emotional even though having catchy songs. It will make you laugh a bit, and cry a lot. I may not suffer from dyslexia, but pressure from the family and society still happens to many students like me, so I also find this movie relatable in some aspects.
Overall, you will start thinking that this movie is boring at first, yet as you continue to watch, you will be indulged in the movie. You will start to think that you will relate to Ishaan when it comes to society's pressure on scholastic attributes. Be sure to put a box of tissues beside you, as you will feel a burst of emotions being portrayed in the movie. This movie might be a Bollywood film, not everyone's cup of tea, but I recommend this movie and rate it an 11/10.
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