“If you want to win competitions, then breed racehorses dammit, don’t have kids!”

Taare Zameen Par, the Indian movie released in 2007, has so much in it that I get goosebumps every time I watch it. I was too young when I watched the movie but still, I remember how much it reflects our society. Ishaan is a young boy with dyslexia and his older brother is a genius. And Ishaan’s father has the same expectations from both but only one can fulfill them. He fails to understand not every child is the same even when they have the same blood running. Ishaan’s father always shows anger at him because he can’t be like his older brother or other children. He can’t read or write, but rather than finding out why he is struggling, he accuses him of not doing enough. Ishaan was the boy who needed more love from his parents and equally, the assurance and acceptance he longed for. There is a scene in the movie, where he was roaming and saw a father with his toddler on his shoulder buying him a gola (an ice ball) and he was there just standing alone. The love and care that he deserves and wants from his father never began but only the series of disappointments he felt every single step in his life. Even his teacher could not understand him and he was sent to a hostel which he assumed was a place where parents send their children to punish. Ishaan was a genius in drawing but not in studies, his father labeled him lazy because learning what is written in the textbook is important. But then his teacher, Nikumbh understood and taught him how to write and read. And he was the one who understood him and that should be his parents. But again parents are so engaged in finding their children’s mistakes that they fail to see what mistakes they are committing. Nikumbh understood Ishaan because he also had dyslexia. One good teacher can change everything like Nikumbh did for Ishaan, but it’s hard to find that teacher.

My mother was my guide when we watched this movie. Apart from what I learned she explained to me so much. She told me that not every child is the same and that is okay, every child is special but some have other specialities that this world calls names. Every parent who does not have a special child will never understand how much it takes for the child to grow up being loved not just by his parents but by the world as well. Why should a child expect love from others when their own parents do not care for them. Society is so harsh that until they don’t go through it, they won’t understand. Understanding a child is every parent’s job but not everyone can do it. Blaming the child is not an option; they do not choose to be born like that. Every child is special in their own way but not every parent can see this. If it is easy for the parents to point out their children’s mistakes then the world will do it anyway. Ending this by saying that every child is a star on this earth (The literal meaning of the movie title).

There have been such gems amongst us who changed the course of the world because they could look at the world differently.

Till we meet again, Be Happy, Be Grateful, and Keep Smiling – a girl who likes to write.

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