Years 1997.
A 15 year old girl struggled to live up to the expectations of her teachers, parents and the rest of the world. She'd (almost) never seen failure earlier, shone bright as a star, was the apple of pretty much everybody's eyes! She thought she could do it all - until she joined THE best school the city had ever seen- churning out GEMS who'd with ease walk in to colleges with three letter acronyms. Some thought it was too competetive for her, others said it was the effect of Mr. Saturn playing his 7.5 year game....
A decade later...
Inu walks up to receive credit for his incredible conversion of a piece of his imagination. He walks head down, almost as if in disbelief of his own abilities - almost as if he forgot what it felt like to be actually appreciated and respected. I cried shamelessly when he hugged his guru - it was almost like the child's heart and soul exploded FINALLY and heaved in relief!
I am sure most of you would have guessed that I am referring to Aamir's directorial debut with Taare Zameen Par. I just had to write about Darsheel and Inu. This movie is very close to heart - not because I had dyslexia as a kid - but because I could so connect with the child when he was in boarding school or when he was separated from his parents. The "putting on a brave face" but secretly crying in the bathroom, the feeling of rejection, lack of appreciation, of inferiority complex that was uncalled for, the helplessness, the homesickness, AMMA!!! I could not help but weep away to glory during Shankar's "Tujhe Sab Hai patha hai na Ma" - what brilliant lyrics..Simple Yet Absolutely Evocative and SO DARN TRUE!
Ishaan - that kid! I am at loss for words! I could just hug him and never let go off him and take care of him forever! I was actually surprised to realize that there are very few teachers who go beyond the textbooks and assignments and exams and actually wonder why a kid is performing the way he or she is. Oh well! There aren't too many Nikhumbhs around are they?
I am hoping most of you have already had the chance to use your handkerchiefs by now. If not, Please do! Aamir has done it again!
