Downloaded the MP3s this morning ..

Taare Zameen Par..very good album, thematic, mellow, sweet and still melodious.

What a good album, after giving a lousy MARIGOLD by SEL!

comparing both CDI/TZP both thematic but TZP way more enjoyable imho!

aare Zameen Par: Songs of innocence

Sukanya Verma | November 05, 2007 14:59 IST










Nothing compares to the carefree, curious and confused days of childhood. Producer Aamir Khan knows it only too well.

The actor known for his perfectionist ways celebrates the splendour and spontaneity of the wonder years in his directorial debut, Taare Zameen Par.

And who better than the gifted troika of Shankar Mahadevan [Images], Ehsaan Noorani and Loy Mendonsa to helm the music of this children's film?

The lilting and measured pace of Shankar Mahadevan's fine rendition of Taare Zameen [Images] Par transports you to a wondrous world of poetry and possibilities. Trust them to infuse tender magic in Prasoon Joshi's sweet-sounding similes, an ode to the unforgettable memories of childhood.

A stirring guitar, backed by electronic enchantment, contributes greatly to Raman Mahadevan's rocking delivery of Kholo Kholo. The track's promising 'spread-your-wings' philosophy is perfectly brought out in this enthusiastic production.

Aamir, with generous help from Shaan, mouths gibberish to get into the good books of fidgety kids in Bum Bum Bole. A quintessential bachcha party number celebrating the colours and dreams of schooldays. Though it's a fun song, it is likely to appeal more on the visual medium.

Exit Kiss Of Love (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom). Enter Jame Raho. Composer cum singer Vishal Dadlaani merrily discusses the different breeds of children here -- the obedient types, the laidback ones and the dreamers. Again, a situational ditty. But an imaginative one, nevertheless.

What goes on in an impressionable mind when sent away from home -- insecurities, fears and concerns -- are eloquently and emotionally conveyed by Shankar Mahadevan in the sentimental Maa. This one tugs at the heartstrings.

'Idiot, duffer, lazy, crazy. Tumhara problem kya hai, beta?' Blistering questions directed at a hapless young thing make up for the hollering Bheja Kum. Oddly enough, all the rebuke and yelling is music to been-there-heard-that ears.

Gleehive, a kid's chorus group, opens the endearing motif of Mera Jahan, followed by Adnan Sami's [Images] soulful performance. Guest composed by Shailendra Barve, Mera Jahan gives us a musical peek into the child protagonist's idealistic and innocent universe.

The album wraps up with Ishaan's Theme, an instrumental, reflecting a little boy's emotional graph. It starts out seemingly soothing, becomes ruffled and complex, only to calm down to a happy melody again.

Taare Zameen Par isn't your regular soundtrack about fluttering hearts and sleepless nights. What makes these delicate and whimsical creations special is their underlying innocence.

Rediff Rating:3/5


my rating..4/5

By Joginder Tuteja, November 5, 2007 - 14:25 IST

Now this one has arrived almost 'chupke se'! While most other biggies featuring the top bracketed actors/film makers make a lot of noise (sometimes deserving, sometimes not so deserving) for both the movie and the music release, Aamir Khan's Taare Zameen Par has silently arrived in a subtle manner, just like the simplicity the movie itself conveys. With Prasoon Joshi doing the lyrics, one expects a sensitive outing ahead. From Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, who have enjoyed a great 2007 so far, one expects nothing but a high quality score in Taare Zameen Par.

Remember the tinkle sound in 'Meri Duniya Tu Hi Re' [Heyy Babyy]? Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy take a cue from the same sound to carry forward the title song 'Taare Zameen Par'. To the credit of the composer trio, Shankar Mahadevan who takes the onus on himself to come behind the mike and supporting vocals of Bugs Bhargava, Dominique Cerejo, Vivinenne Pocha that the song turns out to be a heartwarming outing.

Write your own music review of Taare Zameen Par
It is a difficult song to create due to various reasons. a) It is slow moving which means that beats cannot camouflage/overtake the melodious intent of the song, b) It requires a singer of high caliber to croon since the focus is entirely on voice due to hardly any instruments being in the background, c) Prasoon Joshi's lyrics follow a poetic route which means double the effort for the composers to think innovatively. Still, the end product is such that even if it won't be sung aloud by a man on the street (that was never an intent to begin with), Taare Zameen Par would make for an emotional cinematic viewing.

Singer Raman Mahadevan builds on the melodious feel of the album with 'Kholo Kholo' which is about opening up the world around you and breathing all the air in the beautiful surroundings. Very urban and belonging to soft-rock, 'Kholo Kholo' has a guitar as it's base instrument which works wonders with Raman's smooth vocals. A.R. Rahman and Gulzar saab would definitely approve the kind of great job that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Prasoon Joshi do. Even better than the title song, 'Kholo Kholo' is number that you would love to hear in isolation in a repeat mode!

Aamir Khan begins 'Bum Bum Bole' with some funny sounding gibberish which is meant to appeal to the kids due to it's playful setting. A track which appears to be created for a setting where Aamir Khan interacts with number of kids in the school and makes all of them play with each other, 'Bum Bole Bole' takes a rhythmic mood. Different in style when compared to the first two tracks in the album, this Shaan sung track should appeal to children due to it's situational setting.

It's the sound of an alarm which opens 'Jame Raho', a song that takes a listener through the journey of a student from waking up in the morning to going to school to studying hard and achieving success. Boasting of a rock setting, the song is such that it could easily have fit into the mould of a sports anthem number as much as an inspiration for the soldiers on the border!

Crooned quote well by Vishal Dadlani, who seems to have become almost a regular with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for singing at least one song for most albums for them, 'Jame Raho' is an entertaining number which mixes some English words with primarily Hindi lyrics.

10 singers (yes, 10 singers) come together for 'Bheja Kum', a two minute rock track which starts with the words 'Idiot, why can't you'. A spoof on the kind of scolding that children get on scoring less marks in exams, 'Bheja Kum' has a big team of Shankar Mahadevan, Bugs Bhargava, Shankar Sachdev, Raaj Gopal Iyer, Ravi Khanwilker, Loy Mendonsa, Amole Gupte, Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan and Ram Madhvani coming together to sing a line or two (in case just speak a few words) to showcase (albeit in a lighter vein) the kind of tension that a kid goes through!

With 'Maa', Shankar Mahadevan gives himself another good solo after the title song 'Taare Zameen Par'. A serene number which just like the title song depends entirely on the singing and the basic composition instead of arrangements added on in the recording studio, 'Maa' is a heartfelt track about a child looking at sharing with his mother his fears, shortcomings and affection for the ones close to him. With the most simple and yet effective lyrics heard in the album so far, 'Maa' is another superb piece of work after 'Taare Zameen Par' and 'Kholo Kholo'.

Guest composer Shailendra Barve makes his presence felt with his only track 'Mera Jahan'. Rendered superbly by children Auriel Cordo and Ananya Wadkar who, after their English rendition, set the base for Adnan Sami to take over the proceedings, Mera Jahan' reaches it's crescendo the moment title words appear in the song. Musically the song carries a similar rock style as 'Bheegi Bheegi Si' [Gangster] and if you have liked the numbers heard in 'Life In A..Metro', it would be hard to ignore 'Mera Jahan'.

Amole Gupte, Creative Director of Taare Zameen Par, has the last word with his piano composition for 'Ishaan's Theme' bringing the album to an end. A four minute long musical piece which boasts of international standards and carries a pensive feel to it, 'Ishaan's Theme' belongs to the kind that you hear in 5-Star hotel lobbies. Smooth, serene and infectious, this sound of piano is just the right finale for an impressive soundtrack of Taare Zameen Par.

The moment one is through with the album, the first thought which crosses the mind is that of 'Aah, thank goodness no remixes'! Aamir Khan, Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy and Prasoon Joshi make a zero compromise album which stays honest to the film's theme and bring in as much variety as one possibly can in the music for a film belonging to a genre different from regular romance, action or drama. No item song, no 'pyaar-mohabbat' saga and moreover nothing which becomes preachy, Taare Zameen Par boasts of a soundtrack that stays true to the film's spirit and promises to thoroughly involve a viewer while the music is on in theaters.

3.5/5

Just compare urself with CDI ratings/soundtrack, that imho, was fresh , good but less enjoyable and melodious!

Producer: Aamir Khan
Director: Aamir Khan
Starring: Aamir Khan, Tanay Chheda, Darsheel Safary, and Tisca Chopra
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Shailendra Barve (Guest)
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi and Amole Gupte (Guest)
Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Bugs Bhargava, Vivinenne Pocha, Raman Mahadevan, Shaan, Aamir Khan, Vishal Dadlani, Shankar Sachdev, Raaj Gopal Iyer Ravi Khanwilkar, Loy Mendonca, Amole Gupte, Kiran Rao, Ram Madhvani, Adnan Sami, Auriel Cordo, and Ananya Wadkar
Audio On: T-Series
Number of Songs: 8
Album Released on: 04 November 2007
Reviewed by: Atta Khan
Reviewer's Rating: 9.0 / 10
Posters
Public Rating Average: 9.28 / 10 (rated by 32 listeners)
Give your Rating:
Email this page
Save this page to your local hard disk!
Print this page
“My choice of films is governed by my heart and instinct.I’m not governed by what the market demands”
- Aamir Khan

Ok first things first. I have to admit to being a fan of Aamir Khan. You hear rumours that he’s not so likeable off screen, is very private and anti media etc but let there be no doubt, the guy is a top draw actor and has been for many years! For me, what makes him stand out compared to other big names such as SRK is that he is very selective in what movie he appears in. This means that he makes fewer movies, however those he does star in turn out to be award winning on many fronts including the music as well, I mean the guy is a perfectionist! Take any of his flicks since 2000 including Lagaan (ARR), Dil Chahta Hai (SEL), my personal favorite Rang De Basanti (ARR) and Fanaa (Jatin Lalit)…they all received some form of acclaim, generally on numerous levels including his acting but also for the music.

So when this hugely talented actor launches his own movie house ‘Aamir Khan productions’ and at the same time marks his directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par (TZP), as an audience you can do nothing but take note. What’s the fascinating theme that has inspired him to mark his debut (producer/directorial) and more importantly for music lovers, who does he back for the soundtrack? In short….’Kids’ and the talented trio ‘Shankar Ehsaan Loy’ (SEL)! Without going into too much detail, the movie concerns the subject of childhood (in fact it’s been billed as a ‘sensitive portrayal of childhood’) based on one man’s experience of working with children for 7 years. That man is Amole Gupte (an actor and close friend of Aamir Khan for 25 years) who is the brains behind the movie (writer/creative director) and the man in charge of pre-production including the soundtrack which he worked on closely with SEL. So does it live up to expectations and contribute to the common goal of the movie which is to enhance our ‘sensitivity towards children’? And more interestingly, for the now grown ups including me and you, does it rekindle our very own childhood in the process?

Dekho inhein yeh hain aas ki bhoondein, patton ki godh mein aasman se koodhein. Angdayee lein phir karwat badal kar, nazuk se mothi, has de pisal kar… - Prasoon Joshi [Taare Zameen Par]

The sound of twinkling stars gives rise to your journey of (re)discovering what childhood actually means i.e. how children behave, why they behave in such a manner and the impact that has on everyone around them. Thus commences the quite brilliant title track Taare Zameen Par. What starts off as a slow light hearted poem supported by a soft piano arrangement in the background, eventually transcends into a heavenly sketch of the minds of children and those around them i.e. the recipients of their behaviour. SEL use a wide array of (synth) instruments in a bid to deliver a soothing number but it’s Ehsaan’s guitar and the intermittent use of the sitar / tabla that achieves this so successfully. I have not heard Shankar Mahadevan sing as well as this for years such is the impact of his supremely somber vocals (backed by superb background vocals of Dominique and Vivinenne). The singing is indeed a highlight of this track and coupled with Prasoon Joshi’s amazing heart-felt lyrics this track excels completely off the richter scale! Verdict: This is a divine listening experience that makes you sit up, enjoy and contemplate the meaning, behaviour and impact of children. To call it special is an understatement.

Tu dhoop hai jham se bikhar, tu hai nadee, o bekhabar. Beh chal kahin ud chal kahin, dil khush jahan teri woh manzil wahin… - Prasoon Joshi [Kholo Kholo]

The next track Kholo Kholo continues the portrayal of childhood albeit in a far more upbeat context than the previous song. This is a teacher’s perspective of what a child means to them, it’s objective and potential in life and how it should go about fulfilling this (as suggested in the above lyrics). It is one thing outlining such a perspective but to give SEL full credit, the manner of their delivery is nothing short of fabulous!

On a musical front, the key instigator for providing the mood and atmosphere is Ehsaan Noorani who further showcases his wonderful guitar skills (as in Johnny Gaddaar) that provide an irresistible backdrop for each stanza. When the chorus kicks in, the crescendo of drums intertwined with multiple guitar strings leaves a beautifully uplifting and contrasting effect before the next stanza begins. With any ordinary guitarist this would have sounded monotonous but not with Ehsaan at the helm! Incidentally, listen out for a distinct verse in the middle where the trio seamlessly switch to traditional music, the effect being neat. Raman Mahadevan’s vocals match the vibe pace for pace displaying stunning versatility in the process. Add to that Prasoon’s simple but thought provoking lyrics and you have back to back winners. Verdict: Providing another superb insight into the mind of a child, Kholo Kholo is guitar strung heaven that demands repeated listening, simply wonderful!

Aisi rangon bhari apni dunya hai kyun, socho to socho na. Pyar se chun ke in rangon ko, kisi ne sajaya yeh sansar hai jo itni sundar hai apni duniya. Upar wala kya koi kalakaar hai… - Prasoon Joshi [Bum Bum Bhole]

But hold on, this is all serious stuff right? Do children not have khel aur masti? Well of course they do listeners and that’s exactly the point of the next track Bum Bum Bhole. In fact it’s Aamir Khan (dressed as a clown ready to address his entertainment hungry audience!) himself who introduces this song in perfect fashion with a short but snappy comic liner ‘gili gili mal sulu sulu mal…’ that makes about as much sense to us as it does to the kids...cue their inevitable laughter and hysteria! What follows is an extremely lively tune full of peppy synth beats and hand clapping with multi layered vocals and interaction between the children and the teacher / entertainer (Aamir Khan) and an overlaying third person view that describes this enlightening relationship. This third person view (occasionally fun occasionally philosophical) is provided by the gifted singer Shaan who, as he has done so on many occasions this year, lifts this song to new heights with his breezy vocals! Prasoon’s magical and versatile lyrics impress yet again. Verdict: A colourful, fun packed, yet completely meaningful tune that gives you further insight into what makes a child tick…this one will appeal to the young and old!

Ye omlet par hi jeete hain, ye tonic saare peete hain. Waqt pe sothe waqt pe khathe, taan ke seena badhte jate - Prasoon Joshi [Jame Raho]

The fun / masti theme of the soundtrack continues to its pinnacle with the short but quite amazing Jame Raho! This one picks up where Bum Bum Bole ended but turns the cheerful music on its head and replaces it with an awesome rock tune that is inspired by Ehsaan’s acoustic guitar, leaving behind a mischievous atmosphere…but don’t worry, the kids are all behaving (generally!), it’s just another sketch of what they’re up to but wrapped in a different flavour! Vishaal Dandlani’s intense yet humorous vocals and Prasoon’s short and snappy verses (full of parody) make for an extremely satisfying listen! In fact this track could easily have been something out of a Johnny Gaddaar, such is its unique and ‘hatke’ nature. Verdict: Hats off to SEL and co for this gem which adds further variety to the soundtrack!

Jab bhi kabhi papa mujhe, jo zor se jhoola jhulate hain maa…Meri nazar dhoondhe thujhe. Sochu yahi tu aa ke thaamegi maa.. - Prasoon Joshi [Maa]

Right enough of the khel aur masti as the soundtrack gets back to its elements with a beautiful portrayal of a child’s view of his eternal companion, his own godsend…Maa, arguably the most cherished track here. Words cannot express the impact this song had on me. It’s an emotional roller coaster that has the potential of bringing tears to your eyes one minute and then a smile the next...with flashbacks of your own childhood somewhere in between…SEL have showcased the art of melancholy music many a time but I doubt I have heard one this good; delivered by a heavenly percussion to begin with and then eventually dominated by some stylishly subdued guitar strings. Shankar Mahadevan delivers vocals as rich and as solemn as you will hear for a long time. Prasoon’s poetry is so simple yet out of this world; honestly I can do nothing but applaud his efforts here with the way each verse connects with you, it’s ethereal. Verdict: Grab a few tissues and listen to this track in earnest, then appreciate the role maa plays in a kids life (from a kids view). I defy anyone not to be touched by this sublime effort.

Why? Why can’t you? Idiot! - Prasoon Joshi [Bheja Kum]

Let’s face it children can be a handful and have this canny knack of driving us older folk insane at times! Well in the penultimate track, Bheja Kum, we have a very short but confrontational meeting between teachers and pupils pouring out their feelings to one another (in short the teachers losing their heads, the kids having a good laugh!). The music is loud and abrupt and provides the right atmosphere. There are plenty of vocalists involved here including Mahadevan, Loy, Aamir Khan, and a few junior singers and all in all it’s an interesting little tussle to see who wins the mind games (I’ll let your mind wonder as to who wins!).

A little sweet, a little sour, a little close, not too far…All I need, all I need, all I need is to be free… - Amole Gupte [Mera Jahan]

And so we come to the final stage of our journey into the discovery of childhood…what a journey it has been but does it end in a marked fashion? Well the first thing that strikes you is that it’s not composed by SEL at all, in fact it’s a guest composition by Shailendra Barve. But worry not listeners as we are treated to a perfect stand off with the aptly titled Mera Jahan, a track that may leave you quite literally, in a daze of stars! Right from the opening when junior singer Auriel Cordo (later joined by Ananya Wadkar) recites Amole Gupte’s stirring lyrics you sense this one is coming right from a child’s heart...it’s about their world and they have a message to share. The composer allows the multi faceted singing to dictate the track and keeps the music light and hidden away in the background until the arrival of the chorus. Adnan Sami’s rendition is nothing short of exquisite (backing vocals by Suraj and Shailendra Barve). The track is elevated further by a young choir (Gleehive). Verdict: This is a fitting end to what can only be described as a complete article…TZP.

To top it all off we have a lovely piano piece in the instrumental Ishaans Theme.

TZP soundtrack unquestionably lives up to all expectations and how! It has the potential to appeal to a wider audience considering the maturity and variety of each track on offer here. But that’s the whole point of this album; it aims to send a message to everyone that is NOT a child so that they can further appreciate a child in a child’s world.

Parents with young children (or other relations who have regular contact with them) will appreciate this soundtrack immensely...yes children can be a handful but they also act as a living and breathing beacon in our lives as well. Others will love it simply because it has a strong potential to rekindle our own childhood and remind us of what life was like growing up as a kid, at home / school / outdoors, with your parents, siblings and other close relations such as teachers etc and the way you saw the world it was meant to be seen…innocent eyes, simple heart and a dreamy mind full of curiosity and wonder…TZP relives all that and more. On screen its impact will be elevated even further (incidentally this soundtrack also heightens expectations for the movie).

As for credits, well SEL have capped an amazing turnaround in this second half of 2007 (Johnny Gaddaar was a good omen!) and produced in my humble opinion, their finest soundtrack since at least 2004 (Phir Milenge) which is interesting because that also happens to be the last time their soundtrack was so dominated by one instrument; the guitar. One can easily argue a case for TZP being the best soundtrack of 2007 as well. What makes this one so special is its all round polished nature, it oozes quality throughout which you feel has been achieved through a lot of effort involving musicians, researchers, teachers, parents, kids etc and the results speak for themselves; its heart felt impact, variety, its deep rooted meaning, and above all its theme which is unique yet close to all our hearts...sometimes buried but easily unearthed and touched- so it will stay with us forever… just like the soundtrack which is destined to become a classic.

So what stops it from being perfect? Well as much as I adore the instrument I feel a little over reliance is placed on the guitar here even with its variety. Also there is too much synth music compared to real instruments and although it sounds fresh, it does not necessarily break any genres.

SEL will be the first to thank Amole Gupte’s invaluable input and Prasoon Joshi’s wonderful, award worthy lyrics (best of 2007 for this reviewer) for their respective contributions. Overall then, TZP is a fantastic and thematic listening experience and for each one of you listeners, I urge you all…buy this soundtrack and contemplate a child’s mind and or relive your own childhood and those long forgotten memories because let’s face it, there is nothing quite like childhood:

Bachpan ke din chaar, na aayenge baar baar…jee le jee le mere yaar, jeib khaali tho udhaar… jee zindagi… - Amole Gupte [Lyricist, Writer, Creative Director and chief inspiration behind TZP]



** Watch for parson Joshi's lyrics! Who needs Gulzar or Javed( now down to Billoo they ghar)

Trouble for Khan -- protests against the movie in.... where else... Gujarat -- Vadodara!

By Taran Adarsh, December 18, 2007 - 14:25 IST

Come to think of it, after two back-to-back hits [RANG DE BASANTI, FANAA], Aamir Khan could've given a positive nod to any masala flick and chosen to work with anyone he desired. But he preferred to make a film on a dyslexic kid, make him the focal point of the story and don three caps -- producer, actor and director.

At the very outset, let's make one thing clear. TAARE ZAMEEN PAR isn't one of those films that merely entertains, but also enlightens. TAARE ZAMEEN PAR is one film that makes you peep into a child's mind and how some parents, in their pursuit to make them 'stronger' academically, forget that there's hitherto untapped talent that needs to be nourished and encouraged.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR drives home a strong message, making you empathize with the kid, compelling you to draw parallels with your life, making one realize that some of the renowned geniuses were once scoffed at, but the world had to bow down to their intellect later.

Write your own movie review of Taare Zameen Par
Sure, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR boasts of a story that strikes a chord, but most importantly, it has been treated with such sensitivity and maturity that you're left shell-shocked in amazement by the sheer impact it leaves at the end of this 18 reeler.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR heralds the birth of a topnotch storyteller -- Aamir Khan. To choose a story that's a far cry from the mundane stuff that's being churned out like factory products, requires courage and conviction and to execute it with panache is a rarity.

Those who somewhere nursed a grudge that the camera follows Aamir in all his films, will chew their words once they watch TAARE ZAMEEN PAR. Yes, Aamir has a key role to portray as an actor, but the camera captures the child's emotions like never before in a Hindi film. Also, let's also clear the myth about TAARE ZAMEEN PAR being a kiddie film. It's not! It's about children. Note the difference!

In a nutshell, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR serves as a wake up call for every parent or parent-to-be. Also, it heralds the arrival of a magnificent storyteller -- Aamir Khan. At the end of the day, it's not difficult to choose who's better -- Aamir, the actor or Aamir, the director. TAARE ZAMEEN PAR is a triumph all the way from the director's point of view.

Ishaan Awasthi [Darsheel Safary] is an eight-year-old whose world is filled with wonders that no one else seems to appreciate; colors, fish, dogs and kites are just not important in the world of adults, who are much more interested in things like homework, marks and neatness. And Ishaan just cannot seem to get anything right in class.

When he gets into far more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed off to a boarding school to 'be disciplined'. Things are no different at his new school and Ishaan has to contend with the added trauma of separation from his family.

One day a new art teacher bursts onto the scene, Ram Shankar Nikumbh [Aamir Khan], who infects the students with joy and optimism. He breaks all the rules of 'how things are done' by asking them to think, dream and imagine, and all the children respond with enthusiasm, all except Ishaan.

Nikumbh soon realizes that Ishaan is very unhappy and he sets out to discover why. With time, patience and care, he ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.

On face-value, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR looks like a kiddie film, but as the story unfolds, you realize that the story peeps into the mind and heart of a kid, his interests, his hobbies, his strengths and weaknesses. The director opens the cards at the very outset, when you realize that the kid is just not interested in books/studies. And his interaction with his stern father, doting mother and lovable brother is straight out of life.

A number of sequences in the first hour leave you spellbound --

Ishaan's altercation with the neighboring kid over a cricket ball;

Ishaan's parents' decision of putting him in a hostel and Ishaan's constant pleas falling on deaf ears;

Ishaan going into a shell in the boarding school, looking disinterested in life. Also, the art teacher punishing him for his inattentive behavior.

There are several moments in the first hour that make you moist-eyed. The bonding between the mother and son is remarkable. These moments effectively capture the special bonding, making you realize that a mother's mere touch can act like a soothing balm on a troubled soul.

Aamir takes the courageous stand of placing the story on Ishaan's shoulders right through the first hour and not once do you feel that the kid doesn't have the power to keep your attention arrested.

The second hour is equally challenging and most importantly, motivating. The introduction of Aamir's character, Aamir spotting the indolent Ishaan, Aamir traveling to Mumbai to meet Ishaan's parents and then citing examples of extra-ordinary men who were ridiculed by their contemporaries/peers -- these moments linger in your memory even after the show has concluded.

But the best part is reserved for the finale -- the art competition in the penultimate twenty minutes. The emotions reach an all-time high as the kid regains his confidence. The finale would melt even the stone-hearted!

Directorially, Aamir Khan deserves distinction marks for extracting an exemplary performance from the kid and handling the plot with supreme sensitivity. In his debut film itself, Aamir proves that he's a gifted storyteller, someone who has the courage to swim against the tide and also convince the viewer that there's more to film-making than the mere masala entertainers. Bravo!

Setu's cinematography is mesmeric. The camera captures every minute detail, every emotion, every tear with precision. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is easy on the ears. 'Bum Bum Bole', 'Jame Raho' and the title track are first-rate compositions. Prasoon Joshi's lyrics in 'Maa' deserve special mention. Editing [Deepa Bhatia] does justice to the material. Only thing, the film, if trimmed [second hour], will only be more impactful. Animation and visual effects are fantastic.

TAARE ZAMEEN PAR belongs to Master Darsheel Safary. A performance that make the best of performances pale in comparison. A performance that deserves brownie points. A performance that'll always come first on your mind the moment someone mentions TAARE ZAMEEN PAR. A performance that's impeccable, flawless and astounding. A performance that moves you and makes you reflect on your growing years. A performance that merits a special award!

Aamir is excellent. Note his scenes with the father of the kid. First, when he visits their home. Next time, when he cites the example of Solomon Islands. Splendid! Tisca Chopra is outstanding. Here's an actress who needs to be lapped up in a big way by film-makers.

Tanay Cheda [as Ishaan's friend Rajan Damodaran] is excellent. Vipin Sharma [Ishaan's father] is slightly theatrical. Sachet Engineer [Ishaan's elder brother] is apt. The teachers have performed well.

On the whole, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR is an outstanding work of cinema. To miss it would be sacrilege. It has everything it takes to win awards and box-office rewards!

Do yourselves a favor. Watch TAARE ZAMEEN PAR with your child. It will change your world. It will also change the way you look at your kids!

4 out of 5

After seeing this film I have three words: potential Oscar nominee. That is, if India was to make the choice of submitting this to the Academy. I see a lot of films each year and this was a complete surprise to me. Aside from Sidney Lumet's BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD, this is the best film of the year, period. Aamir Khan shows amazing skill as a filmmaker and is able to make this an emotionally charged piece of work, while at the same time being completely earned. The boy's performance was especially amazing and the film was just uniformly excellent across the board. I rarely give this kind of praise to movies, but TZP deserves it.

Aamir Khan writes at http://202.87.41.148/digital/AamirKhan/ ... opicid=202

Let me be honest - i was not too enthusiastic about it..., but after reading Anurag's article i think i am going to check this out as soon as possible

for those intersted -TAARE ZAMEEN PE- not a review

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE should watch this flick. It is Excellent, and I'm now looking forward to Aamir's future ventures as director.

Great lesson for all, and yet quite entertaining. The best part is that it is not as preachy as most Indian films. The film reflects a point of view and uses the characters to convey it. No long sermons a la Bhansali.

The long search for Ishaan's character paid rich dividends. This kid is a rockstar. You feel for him.

So what are you zulmi's waiting for? Why no long line-ups to go see this movie like there were for SRK's juvenile OSO?

9.7/10

Ok I watched this film yesterday. Aamir Khan is a name that now is associated with high expectations.
His films are really must see movies, regardless of what the topic is.

Did I like Taare? yes and no. I think everyone here has already said whats good about the movie, so I'll just mention the bits that didn't work for me. The first part of the movie before intermission was way too long and slow. It should have been trimmed by about 30-40 minutes at least. The pace of the first half was very very slow, Aamir appears in the movie very late. He is not in the first half for all but the last minute?

The plot was a little unbelievable too, I'm sure many school teachers would be upset and argue that they/the system would spot dyslexia very early on.

Having said that it is a very nice film and worth a watch for sure the child actor is amazing and a real superstar in the making. 6.5/10