Every Child Is Unique (Film)

Every Child Is Special (original title: Taare Zameen Par) is a 2007 Indian dramatic feature film directed by Aamir Khan. The film focuses on the educational journey and inner world of a young boy struggling with dyslexia. It has been widely recognized for its thoughtful exploration of themes such as the education system, child psychology, and societal expectations.

Plot

Every Child Is Special centers on eight-year-old Ishaan Awasthi, who is perceived as a failure in school due to his learning difficulties and subsequently isolated by those around him. Sent to a boarding school by his family, Ishaan continues to struggle to adapt. His situation changes when his art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, recognizes his challenges. Nikumbh identifies that Ishaan’s struggles stem from dyslexia and employs personalized teaching methods to uncover his exceptional artistic talent. The film emphasizes the importance of individual differences in education and highlights that every child possesses unique potential.

Thematic Structure

The film’s central theme is the acceptance of individual differences and the belief that every child can learn at their own pace. It offers a critical perspective on the standardized approach of conventional education systems while underscoring the need to nurture creativity and individual talents.

Key themes include:

• Individual Differences: The recognition that each child has a unique learning speed and set of abilities.
• Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities: The importance of understanding and supporting children with learning difficulties through appropriate methods.
• The Role of Teachers: The necessity for educators to focus not only on academic achievement but also on the personal development of each student.
• Social Pressures: The impact of familial and societal expectations on children’s psychological well-being.

Main Characters

• Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary): An eight-year-old boy who struggles with reading and writing due to dyslexia but possesses extraordinary artistic talent. His inner world is rich and imaginative.
• Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan): An art teacher who employs alternative teaching methods to respect the individuality of his students. He becomes a turning point in Ishaan’s life.
• Maya Awasthi (Tisca Chopra): Ishaan’s mother. A caring parent who strives to understand her son’s challenges.
• Nandkishore Awasthi (Vipin Sharma): Ishaan’s father. Achievement-oriented and disciplined, he initially struggles to comprehend his son’s difficulties.
• Rajann Damodaran: Nikumbh’s close friend who works in special education and assists in diagnosing Ishaan’s dyslexia.

Every Child Is Special (IMDb)

Production and Filming

The film holds significance as Aamir Khan’s directorial debut. Produced by Aamir Khan Productions and written by Amole Gupte, the film’s visual techniques were specially designed to convey Ishaan’s inner world more effectively to the audience. The music was composed by the trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. Filming took place in Mumbai and Panchgani, India.

Significance

Every Child Is Special has been regarded as a significant critique of India’s education system. The film addresses the neglect of art, imagination, and emotional development in societies that prioritize academic achievement. It raised awareness about dyslexia and conveyed the message that teachers, parents, and educational policies must be sensitive to children’s individual needs. The film has been supported by UNESCO and has been shown as a reference in seminars on education systems in many countries.

Awards

The film won numerous awards at the 2008 Filmfare Awards, including Best Film and Best Director, and received the National Film Award for Best Family Film.

Filmfare Awards 2008:

• Best Film – Taare Zameen Par
• Best Director – Aamir Khan
• Best Screenplay – Amole Gupte
• Best Supporting Actor – Darsheel Safary (Nominated, did not win)

National Film Awards (India) 2008:

• Best Family Film – Taare Zameen Par
• Best Creative Direction – Aamir Khan

Star Screen Awards 2008:

• Best Film – Taare Zameen Par
• Best Director – Aamir Khan

V. Shantaram Awards 2008:

• Best Director – Aamir Khan
• Best Story – Amole Gupte