Aamir Khan talks about the magic of being a parent, and working with children in his latest film Taare Zameen Par

Aamir Khan with his co-star Darsheel Safary during a promotional event at Film City on Saturday

Have your children watched Taare Zameen Par?
Yes, they have seen it and liked it.

How do they, being celebrity kids, view the realities of the world around them?
Both Reena and me are particular about them having a normal childhood — they go by the school bus, like other children, but both of them are very good academically. Junaid (14) plays and is good at football and squash while Aria (9) is already making a film with her friends where I also have a role — I play the villain.

What’s it like directing children?
Filmmaking is not ideally suited to a child’s temperament. The practicality of filmmaking requires that you take a lot of time to do a scene. But it was exciting because kids bring a lot of energy, their own point of view and they react in such unexpected ways. You can get something magical and I did.

Taare Zameen Par looks at the issue of dyslexia which is confused with low IQ or a lack of talent, while actually it is a disability with language This movie is not about disabilities but the endless abilities and possibilities of children.

Just as Lagaan was not about cricket, but about the triumph of human spirit, this movie is about the magical world of possibilities with each and every child. All of us are not toppers in class. It is important not to see children with limitations and to have patience and nurture them into what they are best at. This film is an important film in those terms — it has behind it a lot of belief of Amole, Deepa, and all of us involved with it.

You play a teacher in this film. Have any teachers marked your life?
I don’t have particular names but the teachers that I carry with me are those who connected with us as human beings.

Teachers who made eye contact with me. Teachers who made an effort to be sensitive to me when I did not understand something. Teachers who encouraged me when I was feeling discouraged.

Where did you do your homework for the role?
I have children of my own, and have worked with kids so I have that knowledge. But my greatest learning was from the two educationists of the film Medha Lotlekar and Kate Caraval.

What pointers would you give parents?
To connect with our children in a focussed way. In the rush of today’s life and adult responsibilities, even as we love our children to death and they are our main lifeline, we tend to soft focus and not really make an effort to understand them completely, their world and the way they see things, what they like, what they don’t, what really gives them joy. I hope children see this film with their parents.

What was Kiran’s contribution to the movie?
She is the executive producer of the movie and from the Lagaan days, she has been one of the best assistant directors I have ever worked with and is amazing with scheduling, handling the children, everything…

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4. Taare Zameen Par is India’s official entry to the Oscars
5. Aamir Khan: I make a good father