MOVIE DETAILS

Cast:     Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tanay Cheda, Sachet Engineer, Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma
Director: Aamir Khan
Producer: Aamir Khan
Music: Shankar Ehsaan Loy
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi

Sheer packaging. Now that's what immediately attracts you to the DVD of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR which has very recently hit the stands. Exit those routine plastic/paper packaged DVD cases, enter a box which could well pass of a garment case! An extremely enticing DVD box which comes with 2 DVDs and an audio CD, TAARE ZAMEEN PAR boasts of a luxury of riches since the viewer has a lot to pick and choose from apart from the film by itself.

So there you have an exclusive DVD centered only on the countless special features that Aamir Khan has to offer apart from the background score CD which is a bonus for those who love to be entertained by the haunting score. The special features are indeed 'special' since they do not go through those routine rounds of interviews and Q&A sessions but instead take a viewer through the real 'making of the film'. One of the priceless moments in the DVD pack is the video recording of the first ever audition given by Darsheel Safary. He would certainly love to look at it again a decade down the line!

There is extensive coverage on how Aamir Khan saw to it that each and every scene in the film counted and was allowed in the final cut only if it was indeed relevant. Also, it is incredible to see how he actually changed the order of a few sequences or shots to get the right effect on. Aamir also insists on conducting trial views of the film with people outside the industry counts before the release of the film and explains that how some of the sequences in the film were questioned when shown before the theatrical release of TAARZE ZAMEEN PAR.

For those who love to hear it all from the horse's mouth, there is an extensive director's commentary version as well. As the near 3 hour film plays on, it is sheer fun to listen to what Aamir has to say about each and every scene. Again, he doesn't bore by going through the technical details of filming the shot but instead talks a lot about the background behind a scene and the way it was envisaged and finally brought on celluloid.

Though some of the features as mentioned above have become common place in DVDs coming out of Bollywood in the recent past, what is something entirely new is a panel discussion on children led by Aamir Khan. In this segment, Aamir discusses with four experts about the different difficulties and disabilities that children with dyslexia could have. An engrossing engagement, especially for those viewers who wish to probe deeper into dyslexia and how children could be encouraged to look at different avenues, the panel discussion is indeed one it's kinds.

There are quite a few deleted scenes that Aamir takes the audience though frankly hardly a couple of them actually seem to really make an impact. Otherwise majority of them actually appear to be unwanted in the scheme of things and justify their absence from the final cut. What makes the placement of these deleted scenes different from the rest is the fact that Aamir Khan personally takes a viewer through the logic behind a scene being shot and reason for it's ultimate chopping.

If majority of features mentioned above are more focused towards adults, for kiddies too Aamir Khan and T-Series have quite a few goodies in store. Whether it is the eye-watering flipbook drawn by Ishaan or a special school diary taking you through the making of the film, the exclusivity factor remains intact. However, what takes the cake are the exclusive prints of final paintings of Ishaan and Nikumbh which are so high quality that they instantly make you preserve them in a photo-frame!

The reason behind me talking about all the special features so far and not the film in itself is that there are hardly any movie buffs who haven't seen TAARE ZAMEEN PAR. Connoisseurs of good cinema have appreciated the brilliance of TAARE ZAMEEN PAR and are very much aware about the fact that it is a must watch and must buy.

If TAARE ZAMEEN PAR DVD doesn't really make it your shelves, the loss is certainly yours and definitely not of Aamir Khan or anyone else associated with the film!

TECHNICAL DETAILS

- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
- Subtitles in English
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo

PRICE

Rs. 499/=

Rating: ****