'Taare Zameen Par' enhanced our sensitivity towards kids: Aamir

Mumbai,Nov 19 (UNI) Bollywood actor Aamir Khan who makes his debut as a director with ''Taare Zameen Par'', releasing next month says that his directorial debut venture has enhanced sensitivity of his entire team towards children.

Interacting with mediapersons at his office here, Aamir saidfilm making is never easy and each film has its own journey. The actor added that the journey of ''Taare Zameen Par'' began with Amole Gupte, the writer and creative director of the film.

Amole is a theatre actor-writer-director, who spends his leisure time with children teaching them the nuisances of drama.

''Having spent almost seven years in close contact with children, Amole had a story to tell. A story he nurtured for over two years, that was born out of his close association with children and what I see as his love for childhood. Deepa Bhatia, Amole's wife and the editor of this film, worked closely with Amole in researching and developing this sensitive portrayal of a child's world.'' said Aamir.

He added, ''In this process of development, Amole and Deepa were helped and supported by countless teachers, parents and children.'' Aamir recalled his close association with Amole saying, ''Both of us have come a long way since the time we were in college. I have known him as a senior in college, an actor whom I have regard for, a painter who I am a fan of, a writer who has moved me tremendously and a colleague who has shown faith in me, helped me and has stood by me during the making of this film.'' The actor also said Amole has written a brilliant and moving script. His contribution towards the film is not just limited to that of a writer but the entire pre-production was done by him, including the most important task of creating the music, on which he worked closely with Shankar-Ehsaan and Loy as well as Prasoon Joshi, the lyricist.

''Amole has been present on the sets throughout the shooting of the film as a creative director, and has been a big support and a strong guiding force in my debut as a director. I thank him for that, and more so for having faith in me and entrusting to me something that is so close to him,'' he added.

Speaking about the film, Aamir said the protagonist, Ishaan Awasthi, played by Darsheel Safary, is an eight-year-old child who hates studies. His world is filled with wonders that no one seems to appreciate- colours, fish, dogs and kites- which are just not important in the world of adults, who are much more interested in things like homework, marks and neatness.

Ishaan Awasthi is packed off to a boarding school to be 'disciplined'. Things are no different at his new school, and Ishaan has to contend with the added trauma of separation from his family.

Aamir plays a teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, who asks children to think, dream and imagine and all the children respond with enthusiasm, except Ishaan. Nikumbh soon realises that Ishaan is not happy being in school and sets out to discover why. With time, patience and care, he ultimately helps the boy find himself.

'Taare Zameen Par' releases on December 21.

UNI