Sitare Zameen Par Movie Review: Hits & Misses
Sitare Zameen Par Movie Review: Does It Really Live Up to the Hype?
Aamir Khan kneels on a basketball court in the first poster for Sitare Zameen Par, surrounded by his young team. From the opening images you get the tone: this is a sports story with a heart. In fact, Sitare Zameen Par is an official Hindi remake of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones (aka Champions), the same story that inspired Woody Harrelson’s 2023 Champions. Aamir plays Gulshan Arora, a talented but arrogant basketball coach who lands in jail for drunk driving after a fight with his boss. To avoid prison, he’s sentenced to community service which includes coaching a team of 10 players with intellectual disabilities. The plot follows the familiar arc: a gruff coach learns life lessons from his underdog team. It’s a feel good sports dramedy. Imperfect and a bit cheesy at times, but warm and inspiring. (Even the poster’s tagline “Sabka Apna Apna Normal” Everyone is normal in their own way which sums up the message.)
A Taare Zameen Par Connection
Almost everyone has noticed the link to Aamir’s 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par. Media outlets are calling Sitare a spiritual successor to Taare. The titles themselves hint at it. In Taare, Aamir’s character was the caring teacher Ishaan needed; here it’s Gulshan who gradually learns from his special-needs team. Aamir himself said he’s taking the same theme “10 steps ahead” by flipping the script. One reviewer neatly put it: “If Taare Zameen Par had the soul, Sitare Zameen Par brings the spirit”. In both films children with disabilities are treated with empathy, and we’re reminded that everyone has something special. In Sitare, though, Gulshan’s the student, the kids help him grow instead of the other way around. This role reversal keeps the film fresh, even if the basic ‘coach and kids’ story is familiar.
Score and Songs
The music simply doesn’t hit the highs of Taare Zameen Par. The legendary trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy returns, but most of the new songs drift past without much impact. As one critic notes, the Sitare soundtrack “lacks the emotional resonance” of the earlier film. Gone are instant classics like “Maa” or “Bum Bum Bole.” Instead we get a couple of peppy numbers that are fun in the moment but forgettable afterward. The one clear highlight is Sar Aankhon Pe Mere, sung by Arijit Singh. His vocals add genuine feeling in a way the other songs don’t. In short, only Arijit’s track really stands out but, the rest never quite stick with you.
The Cast and Characters
The real stars here are the people. Aamir leads the charge as Gulshan, playing the cocky coach with swagger and anger. He’s fun to watch when he flies off the handle, and also when he loosens up. Though I admit he sometimes pushes it into cartoonish territory. Genelia D’Souza is believable as his patient wife Sunita, even if her part has little plot weight. But the big scene stealers are the kids. Ten debut young actors (some with disabilities themselves) each bring a distinct personality. Dolly Ahluwalia, as Gulshan’s down to earth mother, is fantastic, warm, funny, and wise in all the right moments. The ensemble cast earns praise from reviewers, who say the children “steal the show” with their energy. In practice, one kid might be obsessed with lining things up, another might mishear commands in the most innocent way and it’s all played straight, never mean spirited. The supporting cast (like the kindly coach and the team’s cook) add flavour too. Altogether the acting is sincere and committed, Aamir especially dives in, even if he’s occasionally over the top.
Laughs and Warm Moments
This movie is full of mild humour. The funniest bits come from Gulshan’s frustration and the kids’ literal take on everything he says. For example, when Gulshan yells “Spread out!” one kid physically spreads his arms into a star shape. These scenes are playful and respectful, making the kids laugh without punching down. At the same time, the story remains heartfelt. You’ll find yourself rooting for the team and teary eyed when Gulshan finally “gets it.”. The film “mixes sentiment with spunk, avoiding overly preachy tone”. In other words, it drives home its messages of inclusion and empathy without feeling like a lecture. In a word, it’s wholesome: both funny and full of compassion.
Playing the Game
Surprisingly, Sitare Zameen Par handles basketball more realistically than most Bollywood sports films. The kids actually play hard, you see real dribbling, shooting drills, and game tactics. The filmmakers clearly did their homework. This makes the games tense and enjoyable rather than silly. For a change, we see actual passes and strategies (pick and roll plays and all), not just heroes tossing impossible shots. That effort pays off: the final tournament really feels like a genuine underdog matchup. It’s rare in Hindi cinema to see a sports sequence presented so earnestly.
Minor Flaws
The film isn’t perfect. Some story threads wander or feel unfinished. For example, Gulshan’s personal subplots (like scenes with his mother or their funny butler) don’t add much to the main story. These threads contribute little to the core story. There’s also a wacky fundraising scene where the kids pretend to sell something on the street – it’s meant to be funny but ends up oddly silly, taking you out of the otherwise warm tone. Pacing can drag in parts, and the climax swings a bit too hard for tears. Even Aamir, who usually acts with a lot of subtlety, sometimes becomes overly loud and dramatic. Here, his larger than life reactions fit the character, but a few times I felt he was almost break dancing with emotion. These bits are forgivable in a broad comedy, but they’re noticeable. In short, the side plots and extra humour sometimes clash with the story’s sincerity.
Final Thoughts
At its core, Sitare Zameen Par delivers on its promise of warmth. It’s a message movie, yes, but one that tells its lesson with affection and laughs. Even if you’ve seen Campeones or the Hollywood Champions, the Hindi version finds its own charm. The ending, spoiler alert: the team does not pull off a last second championship win. Instead, like the Spanish original, it’s about how they win in life. (In Champions, the team loses the final but still celebrates being “champions” of heart. The Hindi film follows that spirit.) This makes the movie more moving, it’s not about the trophy, but about growth and respect.
In the end, Sitare Zameen Par may not have the unforgettable soundtrack of Taare Zameen Par or a 100% original script, but it still manages to be a touching family film. If you haven’t watched the Spanish or English versions, Sitare will definitely touch your heart with its blend of humour, emotion and a heartfelt message.
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Sources : timesofindia.indiatimes.com , hindustantimes.com
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