Crime and Punishment by R.K.Narayan
- This blog is part of task given by Meghama'm.
"Crime and Punishment" is a short story by R.K. Narayan that tells the humorous yet insightful tale of a home tutor and his struggle to discipline a young, spoiled boy. The tutor tries to teach the boy properly, but the child is inattentive and disrespectful. When the teacher becomes slightly strict, the boy complains to his overprotective mother, who then scolds the teacher and offers him sweets to treat her son gently. The story ends with the teacher feeling frustrated, as he realizes that any punishment or discipline will be misunderstood and rejected by the parents.
Movie review - Sitare Zameen Par
"Har kisi ka apna-apna normal hota hai."
"Sitare Zameen Par" is a 2024 Hindi film directed by and starring Aamir Khan, and serves as a spiritual sequel to his earlier film Taare Zameen Par (2007). While the first film focused on a single child with learning difficulties, Sitare Zameen Par shifts the spotlight to a group of special needs children who are trained by a dedicated coach (played by Aamir Khan) to compete in a sporting event. The film beautifully blends emotion, inspiration, and humor, aiming to raise awareness about the strengths and abilities of children with disabilities. It sends a powerful message about inclusion, empathy, and equal opportunity, particularly in education and sports, and encourages society to look beyond limitations and recognize the potential in every child with the right support and encouragement.
1. How does the movie portray the education system?
"Sitaare Zameen Par: A Heartfelt Lens on Education and Inclusion":
After recently studying one of R.K. Narayan’s short stories known for its subtle yet powerful critique of the Indian education system I had the chance to watch Sitaare Zameen Par in the theater. Though a sports comedy drama on the surface, this film offers a profound commentary on the educational system, the value of inclusive learning, and the responsibilities of both parents and teachers. It’s not just a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par it is a reflection of what has changed, and what still needs to.
Portrayal of the Education System:
Sitaare Zameen Par highlights an education system that often defines success through conformity. The protagonist, a suspended basketball coach played by Aamir Khan, is assigned to train a team of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as part of his community service. Initially dismissive and frustrated, he soon begins to recognize not only the unique talents of each player but also how society and by extension, the education system has failed them.
"Agar ek engineer galti karta hai, toh ek bridge girta hai.
Lekin agar ek teacher galti karta hai, toh ek poori nasl gir jaati hai."
The film critiques a system that is overly focused on academic and physical "perfection," leaving little space for differently-abled students to thrive. Schools, as implied in the backstories of the characters, are often unequipped or unwilling to adapt to diverse learning needs. These students are either pushed aside, labeled as slow or difficult, or treated with superficial sympathy instead of meaningful support.
This reminded me of R.K. Narayan’s depiction of a rigid educational setup where rote learning and teacher authority often overshadow true understanding. In both the short story and the film, there’s a strong suggestion that education should nurture individuality, not suppress it.
A Call for Empathy and Adaptability:
The film shows that education is not confined to textbooks or classrooms. One of its most powerful messages is that learning happens best when it is driven by empathy, patience, and trust. As the coach learns to adapt his methods, he helps his team discover confidence and purpose. This transformation reflects what a truly inclusive educational system should aim for adapting to the student, not forcing the student to adapt.
Sitaare Zameen Par is not just about sports or disability it is about how we define intelligence, capability, and success. It challenges the traditional education system’s narrow definitions and calls for a broader, more compassionate view of learning.
In essence, both the film and R.K. Narayan’s stories remind us that education should be a journey of discovery, not a race of competition. And for that journey to be meaningful, teachers must act not just as instructors, but as guides and parents, not as enforcers of expectation, but as nurturers of potential.
2. What message does the movie give about the role of teachers and parents?
The Role of Teachers and Parents: Nurturers or Enforcers?
One of the most touching aspects of Sitaare Zameen Par is how it redefines the roles of teachers and parents not as figures of authority, but as sources of understanding, patience, and transformation.
At the beginning of the film, Aamir Khan’s character, the basketball coach, is hardly the image of an ideal mentor. He is arrogant, impatient, and views his assignment coaching a team of players with disabilities as a punishment. However, as the story unfolds, his journey mirrors that of a teacher who learns to unlearn. He begins to listen, to observe, and most importantly, to believe in his students when no one else does.
This arc reflects a powerful message: the best teachers are those who adapt themselves to the needs of their students, rather than forcing students to fit a mold. It echoes R.K. Narayan’s subtle critique of teachers who, instead of nurturing curiosity, impose discipline and fear. In contrast, Sitaare Zameen Par promotes an educational philosophy rooted in compassion, flexibility, and encouragement.
Parents: Between Expectation and Acceptance:
The film also comments on how parents, often unknowingly, place burdens on their children through expectations of “normalcy” and societal success. Many of the characters in the team have histories of rejection or overprotection two extremes that stem from the same root: lack of true understanding.
In one particularly emotional moment, a parent expresses pride not because their child won a medal, but because they stood on their own. This shift from outcome-focused pride to process-focused support is a message for all parents: love and acceptance should never be conditional on performance.
This theme reminded me of how Narayan often portrayed parents loving but caught in the web of tradition and societal pressure. Like the stories that show parents pushing their children into conventional paths, Sitaare Zameen Par challenges us to ask: Are we raising our children for society’s approval or for their own happiness?
Sitaare Zameen Par gently but firmly asks teachers and parents to do better to be more aware, more present, and more accepting. The film’s emotional depth lies not just in its story, but in its powerful message: every child is a star they just need someone to believe in their light.
3. How does it compare with the story?
A Tale of Two Worlds: Comparing Sitaare Zameen Par with R.K. Narayan’s Short Story:
While Sitaare Zameen Par is set in a modern, urban India with basketball courts, social media, and public tournaments, R.K. Narayan’s short stories typically explore life in a quieter, simpler time. Yet, across this contrast of time and setting, both works raise strikingly similar questions about education, individuality, and human understanding.
Similar Concerns, Different Expressions:
Narayan’s short story, though subtle and often laced with humor or irony, critiques a rigid and outdated education system one that emphasizes obedience over curiosity, and grades over growth. The teacher in his story is often a figure of control, and the child a victim of pressures from both school and home.
Sitaare Zameen Par, while more emotionally dramatic and visually expressive, addresses the same root problems: a system that judges too quickly and supports too little. The children in the film each with learning or developmental challenges represent those who don’t fit the standard academic mold. Like Narayan’s protagonists, they are misunderstood and underappreciated, until someone finally sees them for who they truly are.
Teachers: From Enforcers to Enablers:
In Narayan’s world, teachers often struggle with their own limitations resorting to punishments, fear, or neglect due to lack of training or understanding. In the film, the coach begins in a similar position: unfit to lead his team because he doesn’t yet understand them. But while Narayan tends to highlight flaws with a satirical lens, Sitaare Zameen Par offers a redemptive arc. It shows how a teacher can grow, evolve, and eventually become a true mentor by embracing empathy and change.
Parents: The Pressure of Expectations:
Both works show how parental pressure can unintentionally harm children. In Narayan’s story, the child is often pushed into unrealistic academic expectations. In the film, many of the players' parents are shown either shielding their children too much or expecting them to behave "normally" despite their unique needs. The central message is the same: Parents must stop trying to mold children into society’s version of success and start supporting them as they are.
Different Mediums, Shared Messages:
In essence, Sitaare Zameen Par and R.K. Narayan’s short story are mirrors held up to society showing us what education could be, and what it too often becomes. One uses gentle storytelling, the other cinematic drama, but both urge us to reflect on a vital truth:
Every child deserves to be seen, understood, and nurtured not judged, compared, or corrected into silence.
As a viewer and a reader, I came away reminded that meaningful change in education and parenting begins not with systems, but with individuals with a teacher who cares, and a parent who listens.
4. What did you feel or learn after watching the movie?
Personal Reflections: What I Felt and Learned:
Walking out of the theater after watching Sitaare Zameen Par, I felt a quiet mix of emotions warmth, guilt, and above all, clarity.
The film made me realize how easy it is to overlook people who don’t fit into conventional ideas of ability or intelligence. We live in a world that celebrates speed, competition, and perfection. But Sitaare Zameen Par gently reminded me that life is not a race it’s a journey where every individual moves at their own pace, with their own strengths.
I learned the power of patience and empathy. Watching the coach transform from a dismissive, goal-driven professional to a caring mentor showed me that growth isn’t just for students it’s for teachers and adults too. Sometimes, all it takes is one person believing in you to bring out your best. And that belief, that support, should never be limited to those who are “easy to teach” or “normal.”
I also felt more aware of my own assumptions how often we judge others without truly knowing their story. Whether it’s a classmate, a teammate, or someone struggling with something we don’t understand, the film taught me that kindness and acceptance can be more impactful than advice or correction.
Most importantly, I walked away inspired not just to do better in how I treat others, but also to reflect on what success really means. Maybe it isn’t always about winning, achieving, or being the best. Maybe it’s about showing up, trying, and growing into who you are meant to be.
Sitaare Zameen Par is more than a movie. It’s a reminder to slow down, to look closer, and to believe that every person, no matter how different, deserves a chance to shine.
Reference:
R. S. Prasanna,, director. Sitaare Zameen Par. 2025. Aamir Khan Productions, 2025.
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