wogma rating: Watch but no rush (?)
A film that could've been a warm hug misses the chance by being way too preachy, pushy, and Aamir-Khaney. Such golden intent gets lost because it is enamoured by itself.
Read moreI'll go for the low-hanging fruit. There's a scene in which the coach of a differently-abled basketball team, Gulshan (Aamir Khan), is yelling instructions at a player, asking him to focus hard. After having had enough, the player pretty much yells back, "Sir, shut up!" echoing the exact sentiment I felt for Aamir Khan, "Sir, move the spotlight away from you!!" And I had had enough in the first few minutes.
But, these are fragments. The larger tone is that of the audience being taught.
It's a shame that that's my takeaway from a film about such an important topic. Sure, there are some warm, cute, charming scenes when the real protagonists of the film get a moment to be themselves. And how each one of them shines! <3 <3 <3
But, the rest of the film pretty much involves Aamir Khan getting lectured about neurodivergence or him showing us how his character is gaining insight. Both of these would have been wonderful if they were shown, not told.
I understand and appreciate that Gulshan is a representative of how society at large treats people who are "different." But, was there no other way to do it than making it all about the STAR? It doesn't help that Aamir Khan's acting is so on-brand that you even for a frame, you can't forget who you are watching on screen—the patronising know-it-all.
Sure, on paper, you see episodes with Gulshan realising the shallowness of his thought processes. But, the vibe is that of Aamir Khan knowing his character is going to recover from his follies, which he will soon reveal to the audience. But, as with most films of this genre, the audience knows.
Of course, the climax is a refreshing change—my prediction for the climax of only one out of the three plot points came through. But, that too feels forced. More like the writing process was, "We want the people to know about neurodivergence. We will have the following climax. Let's put this together in a story even if all we are doing is making the right noises."
A few of the pieces strung together work. Most don't. I quite enjoyed the cheeky inclusion of religious and political statements. I also liked how various aspects of bullying, body-shaming, and the idea of inclusivity were brought to the fore, including openness to non-standard relationships. But, these are fragments. The larger tone is that of the audience being taught.
There are some warm, cute, charming scenes when the real protagonists of the film get a moment to be themselves. And how each one of them shines! <3 <3 <3
There is some respite with the songs and in episodes like the training montage, the lift scene, and the matches. There's nothing very fancy going on in any of these—and that is the charm, the simplicity and heart with which they are executed.
I left the theatre with one overwhelming thought, "please tell me, another film on this topic can still be made." Sure, use the tropes. Of course, create awareness. Absolutely, no need to reinvent the wheel. Just weave the details of the "how"s better, without losing heart while having so much of it.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by Amit Bhatia, abplive : ...राइटिंग और डायरेक्शन आरएस प्रसन्ना की डायरेक्शन और आमिर खान की प्रोडक्शन में बनी ये शानदार फिल्म ऑफिशियली स्पैनिश हिट चैंपियंस की एडेप्टेशन है. रीमेक जरूर है लेकिन राइटिंग और डायरेक्शन अच्छी है फिल्म पर पकड़ मजबूत है.... full review
Thumbs up, by Bobby Sing, Bobby Talks Cinema.com : ...Smile at its success and send wishes to the real stars of the film, the special youngsters, expecting better Hindi films in the future, paving the way for many ignored stories, subjects, writers and filmmaker's waiting for their turn with His Blessings.... full review
Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...That said, there is plenty—oh yes, plenty!—in Sitaare Zameen Par to remind us that cinema in Hindi with a heart and balls, is not dead. Far from it. Aamir Khan’s constantly hungover look goes a long way in sharpening the compassionate clause in the storytelling. His monologue at the end, when he sums up what he has learnt about normalcy and life from his team, is profoundly moving.... full review
Thumbs up, by Priyanshu Ranjan, Bollywood Life : ...Sitaare Zameen Par is a film with not just a story, it comes with a very beautiful message of inclusivity, a message asking viewers to look just beyond themselves and their lives. Who knows, we might find some Sitaare Zameen Par?... full review
Thumbs up, by Rajiv Vijayakar, Deccan Herald : ...The story (based on Javier Fesser’s Spanish film, Campeones) is beautifully adapted to the Indian ethos by Divy Nidhi Sharma and directed by R S Prasanna. He skillfully explores the depths of human redemption.... full review
Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...This is a film that teaches while it entertains, without ever being preachy. It holds up a mirror to society and nudges us to be kinder, gentler, and more accepting. And for that alone, it deserves to be seen, celebrated, and remembered.... full review
Thumbs up, by Murtuza Iqbal, Free Press Journal : ...Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par is a beautiful film that entertains and also gives an important message without being preachy. It is undoubtedly the best film of the year so far. So, go to a theatre near you or far away from you and watch this film because it is a must-watch!... full review
Thumbs up, by Manmath Sahu, fullhyd.com : ...Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par will entertain you, but it won't move you. It's a decent one-time, full-family watch.... full review
Thumbs up, by Iqbal Pervez, Glamsham.com : ...The story of the film Sitaare Zameen Par seems true and sensitive, which takes you into the world of neuro divergent people. The film shows how these people struggle in their lives and how they are accepted in the society. The script of the film has been written very beautifully by Divya Nidhi Sharma which has a lot of entertainment, emotion and social message.... full review
Thumbs up, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par is a heartfelt product, meant to be experienced in a packed theatre. The collective laughter, the silent sniffles, and more, enhance the film’s impact.... full review
Thumbs up, by Vineeta Kumar, india today : ...You don't need any preparation to watch this film - it comes easily to you. One moment you are seated, and the next, you are rolling down in laughter. The humour is its USP; the performances are its soul.... full review
Thumbs up, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...Director RS Prasanna and the writers have taken the trouble to show them as real people, with feelings and thoughts, who are what they are because of an accident of an extra chromosome, not objects of pity. It is their guts and their glory.... full review
Thumbs up, by Shreshtha Chaudhury, koimoi : ...Watch Sitaare Zameen Par for not only getting an awareness of the destigmatization of individuals with Down Syndrome but also to gain a lesson that life is too short to brood over your shortcomings and insecurities. It is never too late to look at the silver lining in everything and become a little selfless in this otherwise nasty world.... full review
Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Or, as the sardar dean (Gurpal Singh) of the sports school for the intellectually challenged says about the beauty of raising such children, “Yeh ghar ko kabhi boodha nahin hone dete (Their homes remain young, like them, forever)!... full review
Thumbs up, by Oshin Fernandes, MiD DAY : ...Aamir Khan, whose USP has been about tapping into emotions with his movies, succeeds once again. My favourite bit is when Gulshan, who doesn't want kids (given his age), with the fear of them turning out to be with Down syndrome or autism, is overheard by one of the players who tells him, âHumare jaise bachche kisi ko nahi chahiye, par humare jaise bachchon ko baap aapke jaisa milna chahiye' (No one wants kids like us, but kids like us deserve a father like you). I adore the idea of Sitaare celebrating the intellectually disabled by not making them feel like victims of society, but rather champions who live life on their terms. Just for that, this one deserves a watch.... full review
Thumbs up, by Saibal Chatterjee, NDTV : ...That is how it would have remained had the remarkable sitaare of this film not descended in our midst and demonstrated that there is much more to acting than what we are accustomed to. Sitaare Zameen Par is a rousing slam dunk because it has its heart in the right place.... full review
Thumbs up, by TITAS CHOWDHURY, News18.com : ...Having said that, you could give Sitaare Zameen Par a shot. Reasons? It’s a celebration of neurodiversity, makes a strong statement about inclusivity, breaks down stigmas surrounding it, and makes you think about what ‘the other kind of normal’ is. It comes as a gush of fresh wind at a time when actioners and jingoistic dramas have become the order of the day.... full review
Thumbs up, by Gayatri Nirmal, Pinkvilla : ...Sitaare Zameen Par changes your thoughts about normalcy, with grace. In a sea of thrillers and formula-driven blockbusters, this film arrives like a soothing balm to one’s chaotic soul. Grab a box of tissues? I would like to leave it at - The ending isn’t the ending. Need context? Come back to this line after you’ve watched the film.... full review
Thumbs up, by Deepa Gahlot, Scroll.in : ...The actors – Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharmaa, Naman Misra, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Ashish Pendse, Samvit Desai, Simran Mangeshkar and Aayush Bhansali – are real charmers, uninhibited and brimming with an infectious sense of joy that permeates the film.... full review
Thumbs up, by Dhaval Roy, Times of India : ...If Taare Zameen Par had the soul, Sitaare Zameen Par brings the spirit. It’s a heartwarming family watch that blends comedy, compassion, and charm, and is definitely worth a trip to the theatre.... full review
So-So, by Abhishek Ranjit, Filmi Beat : ...Sitaare Zameen Par may not shake your soul like its predecessor, but it still manages to be uplifting and worth a watch. It delivers a beautiful message on acceptance, inclusivity, and human connection, with laughs, tears, and a few touching moments. While the execution isn't flawless, the heart is definitely in the right place.... full review
So-So, by Lachmi Deb Roy, FirstPost : ...This time the audience has evolved and our taste buds are also refined, we have seen several films on inclusivity, hence it doesn’t shake us the way Taare Zameen Par did. Having said that, by not completely running down the efforts of the makers, Sitaare Zameen Par is definitely worth your time though cinematically, it shines only sporadically.... full review
So-So, by Baradwaj Rangan, galatta.com : ...They are so good that I kept wishing for a movie with them. They bring about the kind of feel-good that feels real, as opposed to the rest of the feel-good in the film, which feels manufactured. But like I said, it all kinda-sorta works.... full review
So-So, by Jaya Dwivedie, India TV : ...The cinematography and editing are average, though a few scenes—like the basketball training montages or the children playing in the rain—are visually pleasing. The background score is effective, subtly supporting the film’s emotional flow, though the songs aren’t particularly memorable.... full review
So-So, Movie Talkies : ...Coming to performances, Aamir Khan was seen having fun all the time and it's surprising to see him back in this zone after a while. Though his character seems to be overdoing with expressions, it felt like a demand of the character. Genelia Deshmukh, returning to a full-fledged Hindi role, struggles as well—her accent is inconsistent and her delivery awkward. Thankfully, the people playing the intellectually disabled team members bring in refreshing authenticity... full review
So-So, by Sakshi Salil Chavan, Outlook India : ...Sitaare Zameen Par is undeniably a crowd-pleaser, yet it lacks the sustained ethos and wit needed to fully justify its storytelling. Amidst the team he seeks to uplift, Aamir remains a distinct presence—perhaps inevitably so for Aamir Khan Productions. Still, it is genuinely refreshing to witness neurodivergent actors inhabiting their roles with such effortless authenticity. In the end, alongside bringing brilliant actors to the forefront, Sitaare Zameen Par succeeds in making theatres both cry and laugh—and perhaps, that is its victory, and nothing more.... full review
So-So, by Mayur Sanap, Rediff : ...By the time the film wraps up, one wishes there was more to this feel-good exercise that never reaches the dramatic heights it is aiming for.... full review
So-So, by Kartik Bhardwaj, the new Indian Express : ...Laughing loudly while silently knowing that the joke wasn’t that funny. You can do it. But sometimes you don’t win. Even amidst roaring cheers from an audience, the short-player, who overcame all hurdles in the past, still misses the basket.... full review
So-So, by "Sajin Shrijith ", The Week : ...The film's title comes with the tagline, "Everyone has their own normal," a fact that's also uttered a few times by Aamir and co. Of course, it may not appeal to all kinds of audiences, but I found myself smiling and laughing occasionally. And judging by the few in my theatre who clapped for a win, cheered for a neglected character, or laughed at a clever line from a Down Syndrome-affected man, the makers may have figured out the right formula.... full review
Thumbs down, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...On the bus back from Chandigarh, they’re heckled by unsympathetic passengers: again, a scene lifted almost word for word from the original, but without rhythm or wit. That Khan, who had a deserved reputation for pushing original material, has now made two films in a row without an original bone in their body, is both depressing and indicative of where Hindi cinema is today.... full review
Thumbs down, by Shilajit Mitra, The Hindu : ...As actors get older, some of the self-seriousness wears off, and the audience is all the better for it. Despite the frequent digs at his height, Khan isn’t as uproariously funny here as he was in Secret Superstar (2021). Time and again, everything loops back to him.... full review
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