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!
8 comments:
Archu,
Great piece of writing! It has so much of u in it...i can appreciate every word that has gone into it.
apu
I luvd the movie too... my only gripe was the dads character was underdeveloped and blatant calvin and hobbes picturization of the fantasies... I guess a number of us could connect to what is shown in the movie... i remember when i was in UKG i escaped through the gates during a rainy day and walked all the way home singing in the rain... when I got to the street where my home was my mom was there at the head of it all scared and worried .. I cudnt figure out why..:D
you had dyslexia as a kid? Didnt know that!
Thanks Appu! I din't know you blogged- will swing by sometime soon..
-Archana.
Hey Prashanth!
That must have been something! :) I kind of agree with you on the underplay of the dad's character...Or maybe it was just THAT DAD...
Dear Anon, I did not have dyslexia...I was just referring to the two year period in school was I was away from home for the first time and got so home sick that my performance at school reached rock bottom...
good to see u back..and, with a gooder (eh?) one! way to go..
A nice post.. we dont know each other but I liked the way you let your emotions type the words out for you.. It truly was a piece of classic cinema because in the space of those 2 odd hours, for once, the intent wasn't to entertain the audience, but actually show them a glimpse into the life of such kids. The song picturizations were one better than the other. Drop by my blogsite sometime when time permits and read through my post on the subject. Would like to know your thoughts... tc
Post a Comment