Indian cinema might not have come of age but Aamir Khan certainly has. After proving his prowess in acting with films like Rang De Basanti and Lagaan (both were sent to the Oscar’s from India) he has again proved himself as a director. With TZP he has painted a beautiful picture of a dyslexic child on the cinematic canvas. Capturing an insight into a child’s mind is not easy but with the help of creative director Amol Gupte AK has done it brilliantly in TZP. The film successfully captures the dilemma of child caught in the rat race with everyone from teachers to his parents abhorring him. But the problem with a rat race is even if you win you are still a rat. Unknowingly or knowingly they desperately try to curb his creativity and it takes an art teacher to bail him out.

TZP captures the inefficiencies in the Indian education system which shuns a child getting below 90%, which lays more emphasis on rote learning rather than using ones creativity. The movie is not just about education but every other child that you see, the Bunty next door or the Bubli on the first floor whose innocence and freedom is curbed from the pressure to succeed. And this movie is not a sermon, it strikes an emotional cord with everyone be it a child or a parent or even you. Don’t be surprised if you see your friend’s eyes brimming with tears because you might be feeling the same way. The music by Shankar Ehsaan and Loy is true to heart and spirit of the picture, and the performances by all the actors fit to the ‘T’. With a superstar like AK there is always a fear of the film being overwhelmed by star power (‘Aaja Nachle’ is a good example) but fortunately in TZP the true star is Darsheel Jaffery as Ishaan Avasthi. He successfully portrays the pain and quandary of a dyslexic child. AK comes only in the second half but the first half is equally exciting if not better.

The irony is that we always compare us with a benchmark set by others but unknowingly we are falling in a trap where there is complete darkness which covers our creativity and which stops us form realizing our true potential. It’s not just the case with children the same goes for the white collar manager and the blue collar worker. Perhaps if we listened to our heart we would have been more successful and the movie tells us just that. Every child is special but when are we going to realize that? This one is a must for those ignorant parents and innocent souls burdened with the aspirations of their parents. Don’t miss this movie, you don’t want to regret.