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Economic Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sitaare Zameen Par: A slam-dunk that dribbles humour with sensitivity
This charming 'basketball diaries' is special by not overplaying 'specialness' Have you ever watched a film so sweet and kind, that though you were conscious of its flaws, your heart willed your head not to let them overshadow what you loved about it? That's how I feel about director RS Prasanna's Sitaare Zameen Par (Stars on Earth), produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, featuring Aamir as an errant basketball coach ordered by a judge to train a team of persons with intellectual disabilities. Prasanna's interest in blending humour with delicate topics was evident when he took up erectile dysfunction in the 2013 Tamil film, Kalyana Samayal Saadham (Wedding Feast), and its 2017 Hindi remake, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (Good Luck, Be Careful). In SZP - the Hindi remake of the 2018 Spanish film, Campeones (Champions) - he reminds us that you can populate a comedy with marginalised communities, yet never punch down. In the strictest sense of the word, SZP may be considered predictable. It goes without saying that by the end, Aamir's khadoos, selfish Gulshan will evolve. That he will repair his relationship with his wife (Genelia Deshmukh). That while he coaches neurodivergent youngsters (Simran Mangeshkar, Aayush Bhansali, Aroush Datta, Ashish Pendse, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Naman Misra, Rishabh Jain, Rishi Shahani, Samvit Desai and Vedant Sharma) in the game of basketball, they will coach him in the game of life. SZP's point though is not its conclusion, but the path to it. Aamir's willingness as producer and superstar to back thoughtful cinema far removed from the works of his male contemporaries in the Hindi film industry gives SZP the visibility it deserves. Its winning move is the casting of the basketballers, each one dealing in reality with the challenge that their character has on screen. The result: instead of 'playing' autism, or Down's syndrome, they play people who no doubt have challenges, but are not defined by them. A hat tip here to casting directors Tess Joseph and Anmol Ahuja. Gopi, who plays SZP's Guddu, was charming as the joint lead in Thirike (The Return), an endearing Malayalam film about orphaned brothers separated by adoption, co-directed by George Kora and Sam Xavier. Thirike was released in 2021, the same year as the lovely Hindi-English Ahaan directed by Nikhil Pherwani, starring an excellent Abuli Mamaji as a youngster with Down's Syndrome (like the actor), who befriends a man with OCD. SZP, Thirike and Ahaan add a crucial layer to discussions on representation in casting. I'm particularly preoccupied with this subject since I just watched the US series Parenthood, in which the brilliant Max Burkholder, a neurotypical actor, played a boy on the autism spectrum. Divy Nidhi Sharma's script for SZP nudges us to expand our definition of marginalisation, and to also note how those who face prejudice might harbour prejudice, too. Its most hilarious track involves Gulshan's ageism towards his mother, played impeccably by Dolly Ahluwalia. For a film that understands ageism, it's disappointing and ironic, though, that a woman of Aamir's age was not cast as Gulshan's wife. Instead, as he told the press, he has been 'de-aged' with VFX. I'm not sure whether it's the VFX or the weight of playing characters who are decades his junior, or prosthetics in the past, that can be blamed. But the fact is there's too much of the Aamir of 3 Idiots in the Aamir of PK, Laal Singh Chaddha, and SZP. I'm rooting for the return of the Aamir who gave me a lump in my throat when he looked skywards in a tough moment in the seemingly simple Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (We Are Travellers on the Path of Love) and asked his dead sister, 'Main kya karoo, Didi?' It hurts to point this out because I'm emotionally invested in the Aamir who constantly shrugs off cliched notions of commercial viability to greenlight films like SZP. Conventional 'wisdom' among India's richest filmmakers is that sensitivity cannot coexist with hilarity. The joyous SZP tosses that 'wisdom' out of the window. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Zepto has slowed, and Aadit Palicha needs more than a big fund raise to fix it Drones have become a winning strategy in war; can they be in investing? How the sinking of MSC Elsa 3 exposed India's maritime blind spots Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro: Are GLP-1 drugs weight loss wonders or health gamble? Darkness at noon: Can this reform succeed after failing four times? Stock picks of the week: 5 stocks with consistent score improvement and return potential of more than 29% in 1 year Stock Radar: Nippon Life stock gives a breakout from Cup pattern in June; check target & stop loss for long positions From takeovers to a makeover: Are cement stocks ready for re-rating? 8 cement stocks with upside potential from 6 to 42%
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Loved Guddu in Sitaare Zameen Par? Watch Gopi Krishnan Varma's first film as lead hero right here
Sitaare Zameen Par, the much-awaited film of Aamir Khan, finally released in theatres on June 20, 2025, and has been garnering positive feedback for its poignant tale. Aamir appears as a basketball coach who has to prepare a team of differently-abled people for a match. Apart from Aamir and Genelia Deshmukh, the film also features a number of talented and relatively new faces, including Gopi Krishnan Varma, who plays Guddu in the film. But did you know Gopi Krishnan Varma is a Malayalam actor and that his first film was Thirike in 2021? Gopi Krishnan Varma in Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par If you enjoyed watching Gopi Krishnan Varma's performance in the Aamir Khan-starrer, read on to know more about his debut film and where you can watch it online From Thirike to Solo, discover the little-known gems from Malayalam cinema on OTTplay Premium Where to watch Gopi Krishnan Varma's first film on OTT Gopi Krishnan Varma, who always wanted to act in film, is the first actor with Down Syndrome to play a lead role in a movie. Gopi made his debut in the 2021 Malayalam film Thirike, playing the character of Ismu. You can watch the Hindi-dubbed version of the Malayalam film Thirike on ShemarooMe and OTTplay Premium right now. George Kora and Sam Xavier have helmed Thirike. What's the plot of Gopi Krishnan Varma's Thirike The film revolves around two orphaned brothers, Sebu (Ismu) and Thomas and the strong bond they share. The brothers get separated when Sebu is adopted during their childhood. Years later, now an adult Thomas reaches out to his older brother, and is determined never to part ways. George Kora, who plays Thomas, has also penned the moving film. Noted Malaylam actress Shanthi Krishna also plays a key role in the film, along with, Gopan Mangat and Sarasa Balussery. With the moving performances of the lead actors and emotional tale, Thirike would stay with you long after the credits roll. Meanwhile, Gopi Krishnan was also a part of the Malayalam film Idiyan Chandhu, starring Vishnu Unnikrishnan in the lead role.
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sitaare Zameen Par: Meet Gopi Krishnan Varma from Aamir Khan starrer, India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome
Aamir Khan stars in and produces the upcoming sports comedy Sitaare Zameen Par, scheduled for release on June 20, 2025. The film is adapted from the 2018 Spanish movie Campeones. The recently released teaser features Aamir as a blunt and no-nonsense character who is assigned community service, coaching a team of intellectually challenged youths in basketball. The preview hints at a blend of humor and emotional depth that audiences can expect from the film. All you need to know about Gopi Krishnan Varma Although Aamir Khan is the film's lead, it's the basketball players with Down Syndrome who truly shine in the teaser, captivating audiences with their performances. Malayalam actor Gopi Krishnan Varma, portraying one of the intellectually challenged youths, makes his Bollywood debut in this movie. India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome Having overcome significant health challenges, Gopi Krishnan became India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome. His inspiring journey highlights the importance of inclusivity and representation in the world of cinema. Gopi was born in 1998 with Down Syndrome to his parents, Kishore Aniyan and Ranjini. As a baby, he faced severe respiratory problems and hyperactivity. Doctors had warned his parents about the serious complications associated with his condition. Despite these challenges, Gopi Krishnan grew up healthier than many other children with intellectual disabilities. He also showed higher levels of intelligence and activity compared to most individuals with Down Syndrome. Gopi Krishnan Varma received unwavering support from his parents throughout his life. His mother accompanied him to school and stayed with him all day. His parents also wanted him to interact with able-bodied children to learn from them. As a result, Gopi attended both special and regular schools until the eighth grade, after which he completed his education entirely in a regular school. Gopi Krishnan's inspiring journey Despite having ADHD, Gopi Krishnan Varma was able to sit through entire movies in theaters. He also gained significant attention through his TikTok videos. During this period, directors Sam Xavier and George Kora were searching for an actor to play the lead role of a person with special needs for their film Thirike. Their search led them to connect with Gopi Krishnan's doctor. After landing the lead role in Thirike, Gopi Krishnan Varma became the first actor with Down Syndrome to play a lead role, earning a place in the India Book of Records in 2021. In Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has made a conscious effort to cast actors with Down Syndrome in roles portraying characters with special needs. Gopi Krishnan is part of this remarkable Zameen Par will hit theaters on June 20, 2025.
Gulf Weekly
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Of love and death
A GROUP of Bahrain-based creatives is set to bring alive a tragic love story on screen, following the release of the single Thirike ('return') from the short film, Dice Death, which is set to release this year, writes Melissa Nazareth. The track's video on YouTube has hit more than 1,000 views since it dropped on Sunday. Directed by Ranju Ransh, 35, the Malayalam language movie was shot across five days at various locations in the kingdom, including Buri, Um Al Hassam and Andalus Garden in Manama. 'Dice Death is the story of a young, vibrant person and his tragic love,' a representative of the production told GulfWeekly. 'Thirike is the lyrical video of the song. We can't wait for everyone to watch it and we look forward to the release of the film,' she added. Insurance professional Sreejith Sreekumar has penned the lyrics for the track, composed and sung by corporate executive Unni Krishnan, mixed by Kerala-based programmer Biju Rajan and recorded at Gouri Digital Bahrain studio. Accountant Hariz Ekachu, known for his many albums and short films, is the editor and photography director. The song is available on Ransh Creations on YouTube.
