Sitaare Zameen Par Review: A Touching Tale of Young Adults with Down Syndrome and Aamir Khan’s Heartfelt Triumph

• Director: R.S. Prasanna
• Producers: Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit
• Writer: Divya Nidhi Sharma
• Cinematographer: G. Srinivas Reddy
• Star Cast: Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, Dolly Ahluwalia, Brijendra Kala, Gurpal Singh, Tarana Raja, Arush Dutta, Gopi Krishna Verma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, Simran Mangeshkar
• Duration: 2 hours 38 minutes
• Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)

Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh’s film Sitaare Zameen Par released in theatres today, June 20, and it’s already generating tremendous buzz among audiences. If you’re wondering whether to watch it, here’s a detailed look into what makes the film worth your time.

Story

Junior basketball coach Gulshan Arora (Aamir Khan) is a man with a short stature, a big ego, and a lot of frustration. He lives with his mother (Dolly Ahluwalia), while his relationship with his wife (Genelia Deshmukh)—who gave up her dream of becoming an actress after marriage—is strained. Professionally too, Gulshan is at a low point. He is suspended from the sports academy and constantly mocked for his height, which severely bruises his self-esteem.

One night, he drunkenly crashes into a police vehicle and gets into an argument with the officers. Instead of sending him to jail, the court sentences him to community service. His task? To form a football team of young adults with Down Syndrome and prepare them for a tournament.

The team includes:

Sunil (Ashish Pendse), Satbir (Arush Dutta), Lotus (Ayush Bhansali), Sharma Ji (Rishi Shahani), Guddu (Gopikrishna Verma), Raju (Rishabh Jain), Bantu (Vedant Sharma), Golu (Simran Mangeshkar), Kareem (Samvit Desai), and Hargovind (Naman Mishra).

At first, Gulshan sees them as “crazy” and treats them with anger and contempt. But slowly, the sweat on the field and the team’s innocence begin to melt his rigidity. He starts to realize that there’s no single definition of “normal.”

The central question is—can Gulshan truly connect with these players from the heart? Can he shed his basketball-coach mindset and bring them together as a football team? The answers unfold in this emotionally uplifting film.

Review

Though director R.S. Prasanna is new to Hindi cinema audiences, he made his mark with Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, proving his knack for presenting sensitive topics in a lighthearted yet impactful way. With Sitaare Zameen Par, he brings to life a challenging yet heartwarming story about young adults battling Down Syndrome.

Although the film is based on the Spanish movie Champions, Divya Nidhi Sharma’s emotionally grounded screenplay gives it a deeply Indian and heartfelt flavor.

The film’s greatest strength lies in its casting—10 real-life young adults living with Down Syndrome. Their innocence, determination, and raw performances are truly moving. The film may start off a little slow, especially in the first half, but the second half is packed with emotion, humor, and hope. The subplot involving Gulshan’s mother adds warmth and relatability.

Prasanna deserves praise for keeping the film from becoming heavy or preachy. With a gentle touch, he conveys that these individuals don’t need to be labeled “special,” but simply accepted as equal members of society. The mother’s track brings moments of humor and lightness, and the filmmakers have done a commendable job in drawing out authentic performances from every actor.

Music & Technical Aspects:

Ram Sampath’s background score beautifully complements the film’s emotional tone, while Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s song “Good for Nothing” is soothing and uplifting.

Performances

Aamir Khan once again proves that he’s not just a superstar, but also a sincere advocate for meaningful cinema. His portrayal of Gulshan Arora is nuanced and honest, showcasing his ability to bring depth and transformation to complex characters. In an age when many films are easily forgotten, Sitaare Zameen Par lingers long after the credits roll—that’s the power of Aamir’s storytelling.

Genelia Deshmukh, despite limited screen time, adds emotional weight to the narrative. But the real stars of the film are the young actors who play the team members. Each of them lives with mental challenges in real life, yet they bring unmatched energy and sincerity to the screen.

Dolly Ahluwalia and Brijendra Kala deliver solid performances, while Gurpal Singh does a decent job in his role.

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