‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ Review: Aamir Khan in a Sweet and Sentimental Sports Dramedy

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Throughout a 37-year career and more than 50 films, Aamir Khan has rarely been outperformed on screen. His exceptional acting skills, lasting fame, and typically excellent creative judgment have served him well. However, in the film “Sitaare Zameen Par” (or “Stars on Earth”), the actor-producer takes a back seat to a lively group of neurodivergent, mostly debutant actors who consistently outshine everyone else in their scenes.

The casting directors Tess Joseph and Anmol Ahuja have done an outstanding job in selecting actors for their roles. Ashish Pendse as Sunil, Aroush Datta as Satbir, Aayush Bhansali as Lotus, Rishi Shahani as Sharma Ji, Gopi Krishnan K Verma as Guddu, Rishabh Jain as Raju, Vedant Sharma as Bantu, Samvit Desai as Kareem, Naman Misra as Hargovind and Simran Mangeshkar as Golu – a character who often uses an unconventional strategy in competitive situations by kicking her opponent between the legs – are all spot-on and unique. This group of individuals portrayed is intelligent, tough, and delightfully rebellious, making it clear that they don’t need anyone’s sympathy. One memorable scene in the film involves a conversation between two characters about a girlfriend who happens to be a sex worker. As the movie’s tagline suggests, “everyone has their own normal” – Sabka apna apna normal hai.

In the 2021 Indian remake of the 2018 Spanish film “Champions”, directors R. S. Prasanna and writer Divy Nidhi Sharma have kept many of the original scenes and dialogue, but they’ve also introduced a new scene in the second half featuring Gulshan (played by Khan) and his mother, Preeto (portrayed by Dolly Ahluwalia Tewari). This additional scene, added by Prasanna and Divy Nidhi Sharma, is so captivating that I can’t help but wish they had remade the entire film with this level of creativity.

The film “Sitaare Zameen Par” follows the story of a rough-around-the-edges basketball coach, Gulshan, who, after a DUI, is mandated by a judge to mentor neurodivergent adults as part of his community service instead of serving jail time. With his life already in disarray – having lost his job and separated from his wife – he now resides with Preeto, portrayed by Tewari with both affectionate and exasperated undertones. Gulshan is a callous, rude man who initially refers to his team members as pagals (crazy), asking, “What’s the point of this – that you can’t call crazy people crazy?

In stark contrast to Ram Shankar Nikumbh, the empathetic and nurturing teacher portrayed by Khan in 2007’s “Taare Zameen Par”, Gulshan is a character who initially lacks these qualities. If Gulshan and Nikumbh were to meet, they would find it challenging to connect. However, as the story progresses, Gulshan undergoes a transformation. As one of the characters remarks, “We are shaping him.” By the end of the film, Gulshan gains insight, recognizing that he was not truly a teacher, and that those he regarded as inferior were actually his superiors. Similar to Rocky Randhawa in “Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani” (also known as “Rocky and Rani’s Love Story”), Gulshan comes to realize that the lessons we learn in childhood or the beliefs we adopt from our surroundings may not always be accurate.

In the latest movie, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, starring Prasanna, tackles the sensitive topic of erectile dysfunction with a touch of humor and wisdom. This actor possesses an innate ability to infuse complex scenarios with lightheartedness and cleverness. His perspective on life is marked by kindness, inclusivity, positivity, and compassion. The film, Sitaare Zameen Par, saturated with sweetness and valuable life lessons, encourages us to reevaluate our notions of normalcy and success. It underscores that achieving in life extends far beyond competition.

Prasanna, who starred in the movie Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, about erectile dysfunction, skillfully injects humor and wisdom into challenging situations. With a generous outlook that is welcoming, uplifting, and empathetic, this actor’s worldview is filled with warmth and valuable insights. The film, Sitaare Zameen Par, brims with sweetness and life lessons, urging us to reconsider our definitions of what is normal and successful in life. It emphasizes that triumph in life encompasses so much more than just competition.

However, maintaining the moral high ground can become tiresome. One character, portrayed by Kartar Paaji, largely serves to clarify, elaborate, and reinforce the main theme. The background music by Ram Sampath also contributes to this repetition, further emphasizing the message. It seems as though Prasanna was unsure if we would comprehend the messaging, so he persistently reinforces it for over two and a half hours.

In a similar vein, Khan amplifies his portrayals slightly more than Javier Gutiérrez’s depiction in the Spanish version. His expressive eyebrows, continuous scowl, and dramatic hand movements might seem overt, but they are effectively executed. Genelia Deshmukh’s character Sunita, who is Gulshan’s wife, isn’t deeply developed, yet she has a single scene that showcases her brilliance. Additionally, Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s lively theme song lends an air of levity to the storyline.

Take note that “Sitaare Zameen Par” doesn’t come close to the impact of “Taare Zameen Par”. The latter masterfully tugged at your heartstrings with grace and sensitivity, only to later help mend it again. Unfortunately, its spiritual successor lacks the same artistic touch; it’s overly straightforward and filled with excessive sentimentality. However, it will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face – and maybe even encourage you to be more understanding the next time you meet someone who doesn’t conform to your idea of normalcy.

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2025-07-02 00:55