Like Stars on Earth
By Sakhi Thirani,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Drama about a boy's struggles with dyslexia; some violence.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Like Stars on Earth
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
LIKE STARS ON EARTH follows eight-year-old Ishaan (Darsheel Safary), a carefree young boy who struggles with his grades in school. Unable to understand him, his father forcefully sends him to a boarding school. Will his new art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), be able to help him?
Is It Any Good?
In this bittersweet Indian drama, fierce writing, heartwarming tunes, and adorable animations are all intricately interwoven together. Like Stars on Earth (aka Taare Zameen Par) reveals harsh truths about the education system's failure to accommodate diversity due to its obsession with uniformity and discipline. The ruthless competition and unfair stress children have to face is poignantly critiqued through the vulnerability that Safary's portrayal of Ishaan delivers. Intense, gripping, and emotionally intimate, the film deliciously explores Ishaan's rich interior world that sharply contrasts his exterior one where he's constantly ridiculed. A simple tale that's both sensitive and sensible, and a film that shouldn't be missed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Like Stars on Earth portrayed dyslexia. How did the ignorance around this learning condition impact Ishaan and his family? How can media help us gain a better understanding of certain things?
How was Ram Shankar Nikumbh's approach to Ishaan different from his fellow teachers? What makes a good teacher? Talk about your own favorite teachers and why you like them.
Which characters displayed traits of empathy, compassion, communication, and perseverance in the film? Why are they such important character strengths to have?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 21, 2007
- On DVD or streaming: January 12, 2010
- Cast: Darsheel Safary , Aamir Khan , Tanay Chheda
- Directors: Aamir Khan , Amole Gupte
- Inclusion Information: Indian/South Asian directors, Indian/South Asian actors, Female actors
- Studio: UTV Motion Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Communication , Compassion , Empathy , Perseverance
- Run time: 165 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: thematic material, brief violence and language
- Last updated: September 21, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Bollywood Movies
Movies with Characters Who Have Learning and Attention Issues and Developmental Disabilities
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate