Film Review: Sitaare Zameen Par

Banner: Aamir Khan Productions Pvt. Ltd.Genre: Family / Sports / DramaCensor: UA

Story & Screenplay

Sitaare Zameen Par tells the inspiring story of Gulshan Arora (Aamir Khan), a basketball coach sentenced to community service after a drunk-driving offense. His task: train a team of specially abled children in basketball. Initially hesitant due to his trust issues and past trauma, Gulshan gradually bonds with the children and helps them realize their potential, while also confronting his own personal challenges and family relationships.

Adapted from the Spanish film Campeones, the story is heartwarming and unique. Divy Nidhi Sharma’s screenplay is fast-paced, weaving Gulshan’s personal journey, his relationship with his mother, and the children’s struggles beautifully. Humour, fun, and frolic are balanced with emotional moments, making the drama engaging and wholesome. The climax is especially moving, ensuring an emotional impact on viewers. Dialogues are gems natural, heartfelt, and perfectly suited to each scene.

Performances

• Aamir Khan is phenomenal as Gulshan Arora, delivering a performance that’s subtle yet powerful. His expressions, body language, and timing are flawless, particularly in scenes without dialogue.

• Genelia D’Souza Deshmukh excels as Sunita, blending maturity and playfulness seamlessly.

• Dolly Ahluwalia Tewari shines as Gulshan’s mother.

• Gurpal Singh, Brijendra Kala, and other supporting adults contribute effectively.

• The ten specially abled children are outstanding, with each child adding charm and authenticity to the narrative. Highlights include Ashish Pendse (Sunil), Aroush Datta (Satbir), Aayush Bhansali (Lotus), Rishi Shahani (Sharma ji), Gopikrishnan K. Verma (Guddu), and Simran Mangeshkar (Golu).

• Secondary support from actors like Deepraj Rana, Tarana Raja, Happy Ranajit, and others adds depth without overshadowing the main performances.

Direction & Technical Aspects

• R.S. Prasanna’s direction is extraordinary, combining entertainment with meaningful life lessons. His handling of the children actors is exemplary.

• Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is pleasing, with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya complementing the narrative.

• Song picturisations by Vijay A. Ganguly and Ruel Dausan Varindani are fitting.

• Ram Sampath’s background music enhances the emotional depth.

• Srinivas Reddy’s cinematography is terrific, capturing both intimate and grand moments beautifully.

• Basketball choreography by Sylvan Desmond is realistic and exciting.

• Editing by Charu Shree Roy is sharp and keeps the pacing smooth.

• Production design by Nikhil Kovale and Apurva Vijay Bhagat is superb.

Final Verdict

Sitaare Zameen Par is a surefire super-hit. Its combination of heartfelt storytelling, exceptional performances (especially by Aamir Khan and the children), humour, and life lessons ensures strong word-of-mouth publicity. While the film may start slowly, it will gain momentum quickly, appealing to families, schools, and groups seeking quality cinema. Expect a long, successful run at the box office with audience appreciation and strong footfalls even from viewers who rarely visit theatres.

Box Office Potential: Phenomenal; likely to become a celebrated family favorite with widespread acclaim.