Watch Taare Zameen Par Online on Subcommune

Now, watch Taare Zameen Par - the landmark 2007 Bollywood movie (also Aamir Khan’s directorial debut) on Subcommune, the newly introduced mobile subtitle app. Apart from playing videos with English subtitles, this smartphone app even comes up with a unique video bookmarking feature, through which you can save all your favorite moments in the movie and watch them over and again as per your requirement. 

TZP deals with an issue that had hitherto remained unaddressed in Bollywood.  It tells the story of  eight year old Ishaan Awasthi, an apparently  ‘dull’ child. He fails tests, gets poor grades and cannot concentrate on studies. But he has a fertile imagination and a bright, creative mind. Unfortunately for him, mere imagination or creativity does not cut it at school. He gets scolded, punished and belittled. To top it all, his elder brother is an exemplary student. This compounds the problem because Ishaan’s father is a strict disciplinarian who has little patience for poor performance.  

After a particularly poor academic report, Ishaan is sent away to a boarding school, where the problem grows and takes a toll on his spirit. He gradually withdraws and refuses to participate in activities. This is when a new teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (portrayed by Aamir Khan), joins the school. He has previously instructed children with developmental disabilities, and immediately realizes that Ishaan is special and has different needs. He takes it on himself to explain it to Ishaan’s parents that their child is not unintelligent, but that he only perceives the world differently. Nikumbh also notices the sophistication in Ishaan’s paintings and endeavors to bring his talent to light. 

Although Ishaan’s father is initially skeptical, he later relents, and Nikumbh slowly begins addressing Ishaan’s condition. He succeeds in drawing the child out of his confinement and encourages him to do what he does best – painting. Ishaan also begins opening up and regaining his lost streak of cheerfulness.  It is tempting to disclose the climax of the movie, but we’ll desist.  

 All we’ll say is that, as the movie draws to a close, the audience realizes that difference need not necessarily mean disability. This is a brilliant movie – a potent social commentary – stinging in its wit, generous in its candor and intense in its message.