Like Stars on Earth (2007)

Like Stars on Earth (2007) is a tender, emotionally rich family drama about eight-year-old Ishaan Awasthi, a bright, imaginative boy who is repeatedly labeled lazy and problematic because he can’t conform to the rigid demands of school. After being sent away to a strict boarding school, Ishaan sinks into loneliness and frustration—until a warm, unconventional art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, arrives. With patience, creativity and deep empathy, Nikumbh discovers that Ishaan is struggling with dyslexia and gently helps him reconnect with learning, confidence and joy. Watching this film you’ll experience a powerful mix of humor, heartbreak and hope. The performances—especially the vulnerable, moving portrayal of Ishaan and the compassionate, quietly authoritative turn by the teacher—bring the characters to life. The movie uses art, imagination and childhood wonder as both storytelling tools and solutions, and it steadily builds to a moving, uplifting transformation that feels earned and authentic. Tone and themes: the film is both heartbreaking and inspiring, criticizing an education system obsessed with grades while celebrating the need for understanding, individualized support and parental love. It’s likely to make viewers laugh, shed a few tears, and leave with a renewed empathy for children who learn differently. Recommended for families, teachers and anyone who cares about education or childhood: it’s a heartfelt reminder that every child is unique and deserves to be seen, heard and nurtured.

Actors: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra

Directors: Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte

Runtime: 165 min

Genres: Drama, Family

7.5 /10 8.3 /10 7.9 /10