This task was given by Megha Ma’am under the theme “Crime and Punishment.” As part of the class activity, we watched the film Taare Zameen Par. In this blog, I share my personal reflections and experiences related to the movie.
Crime and Punishment by R.K.Narayan
This is the questions given by ma'am.
1. How does the movie portray the education system?
The movie shows the flaws in the education system that focuses only on marks, discipline, and competition. It ignores creativity, emotional needs, and different learning abilities of students.
2. What message does the movie give about the role of teachers and parents?
It shows that both teachers and parents should understand, support, and accept children as they are. Their role is not to force success but to help children grow with confidence and love.
3. How does it compare with the story (Crime and Punishment)?
Like the story, the movie highlights how society punishes those who do not fit the norm. Ishaan is punished emotionally for being different, just as criminals face punishment, often without understanding their background.
4. What did you feel or learn after watching the movie?
I felt emotional and inspired. I learned that every child is special and needs care, not pressure. The film teaches us to see beyond marks and to value kindness and understanding in education.
🎬 Overview & Background:
Directed by R. S. Prasanna, produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, this film released on June 20, 2025 .
It’s an official remake of the Spanish film Champions (2018), focusing on a suspended basketball coach forced to train a team of adults with intellectual disabilities as community service .
📝 About the Story of the Film – Sitaare Zameen Par (2025):
The film delivers a powerful message by focusing on children and individuals who have intellectual disabilities and are often misunderstood by society. These individuals may not grasp things as quickly as other people, but the movie shows that they have their own strengths and uniqueness.
At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to Gulshan, played by Aamir Khan, who is an assistant coach for a professional basketball team. He is portrayed as arrogant, rude, and self-centered. After getting into a heated argument with his head coach and being caught for drunk driving, Gulshan is sentenced to community service. As part of his punishment, he is assigned to coach a basketball team made up of players with intellectual disabilities. Initially reluctant and dismissive, Gulshan slowly begins to connect with the team. Through this journey, both he and the players learn from each other, and Gulshan undergoes a remarkable transformation from being judgmental to becoming a more compassionate and understanding person.
In the beginning, Gulshan struggles to coach the special team because he cannot understand their reactions, behavior, or learning pace.
Frustrated and confused, he feels helpless. During this difficult time, his mother tells him:
"जो बाकी लोग से अलग होते है, उनके लिए किसी न किसी को लड़ना पड़ता है.....मैं तेरे लिए लड़ी थी, तू इनके लिए लड़।"
(“Those who are different from others need someone to fight for them... I fought for you, now you fight for them.”)
This becomes a turning point for Gulshan. Encouraged by his mother’s words, he begins to try sincerely. Slowly and steadily, he starts understanding the players of the Sitaare team, and eventually, he becomes a dedicated and supportive coach.
Alongside the main story, the film also explores Gulshan's personal life. He and his wife are living separately because Gulshan does not want to become a father. His wife, Suneeta, tries to convince him to embrace fatherhood, but Gulshan remains emotionally distant. The reason behind his hesitation lies in his painful childhood his father had abandoned his mother and their family. This trauma left a lasting impact on Gulshan, leading him to believe that all fathers are the same and that he too might repeat the same mistakes. As a result, he refuses to take on the responsibility of being a parent.
Among the team members, a boy named Guddu has a phobia of water due to a past traumatic experience. Gulshan discovers that Guddu loves animals. One day, when a rat falls into a bucket of water, Gulshan uses this moment to motivate Guddu to rescue the animal. Overcoming his fear, Guddu saves the rat. Gulshan then tells him, “Now, you no longer fear water.” Later, a similar moment happens with Gulshan himself. He is afraid of using the elevator (lift), but Guddu playfully pushes him into it. When they safely exit the elevator, Guddu says with a smile, “Sir, you’re alive!” This exchange beautifully symbolizes mutual growth and courage.
As days go by, the team's performance improves remarkably. They eventually qualify for the national-level match. Although they lose in the final match, they proudly celebrate their achievement of finishing second. That moment teaches Gulshan a valuable lesson:
He came to teach them, but in the end, they taught him the true meaning of life.
However, through his experience coaching the Sitaare team understanding their emotions, supporting their growth, and building strong bonds Gulshan undergoes a deep emotional transformation. He realizes that he is not like his father and that he has the capacity to be caring, responsible, and supportive. By the end of the film, he accepts the idea of becoming a father and is ready to reunite with his wife and start a new chapter in his life. This adds a heartwarming and hopeful layer to the film’s conclusion.
The film ends on a joyful and emotional note, highlighting the power of empathy, acceptance, and inner transformation.
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