Like Stars on Earth

This movie tells the story of Ishaan. Ishaan is an eight-year-old boy living in Mumbai with his parents. Ishaan has trouble learning in school, and is seen as a troublemaker by his teachers, and is even made to repeat the third grade. After a meeting of his parents with the principal, Nandkishore, Ishaan’s father decides to send him to a boarding school, despite the pleas and entreaties from Ishaan’s mother and elder brother.

Alone and helpless in the boarding school, Ishaan is depressed and is contemplating suicide when Rajan, a physically disabled boy, intervenes and lets him know that the teacher who was fond of bullying him at the boarding school is gone, and a new one is coming. Ram Shankar, the new art teacher, may just be the man who will make all the difference in the life of little Ishaan, and maybe make him and everyone else realize the star just before them.

This is the kind of movie that you may just be labelled a villain if you do not shed a tear or two. I remember that I’d seen it about three times and went all red-eyed. Each time worse than the last. I love how, even at that time, they recognized a problem and made a movie to tackle it. An awareness of dyslexic patients, their peculiarities, and why they should not be victimized or looked down on.

It tackles how quickly people are prone to judge, or worse, bully a child when that child does not follow the conventional pattern they are otherwise accustomed to. Watching Ishaan’s story filled me with deep empathy, especially when he was in so much despair that he even contemplated ending his life, and it’s bizarre because he was extremely talented. Not just the kind of talent people thought was worthy of note.

Another touching moment was the realization of his father as he watched his son attempt to read. His face, completely awash with remorse, made me understand that sometimes, people act the way they do because of ignorance, and not because they intentionally want to be malicious. A call to parents to seek a better way of understanding their children. Far too many lessons can only be understood by watching the movie.

A winner of so many accolades, Like Stars on Earth proved that it was deserving and more of the awards it received. Incredible and impeccable acting from all actors, might I add. What are your thoughts on this masterpiece? Worthy of note, or not?

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