The feminist soul of Sitaare Zameen Par: Can a mother still be a woman?
Aamir's scenes with Dolly Ahaluwalia, who plays his mother in the film, elevate the entire narrative. Completely non-preachy and delightful to watch, these are the moments that flesh out his character's nonchalance - where you realise he's probably still a manchild, still being taught right and wrong by the women in his life, and given umpteen chances to own up to his mistakes. All of that builds to one scene, just before the film's climax.advertisement SPOILER ALERT: Gulshan has just overcome his age-old fear of using an elevator. At the hotel in Mumbai where he's staying with his team, he makes an excited call to his mother, who is supposedly on a religious trip with the male cook. He presses the elevator button and as it opens, his mother walks out with the cook. It is clear that the two have been enjoying their time together, away from the family, in a city where nobody knows them.Gulshan's jaw drops. He can't fathom that his mother could be in a relationship again. That she could be searching for love, and be happy in the company of a man. That she wants a partner, and is content in his presence. His lack of acknowledgement of his mother's romantic needs - presented in a hilariously awkward way - sticks to the audience's funny bone. His constant denial of her newly found companionship highlights Khan's brilliance at weaving moments that make a film much more than just a film.'Sitaare Zameen Par' showcases progressive women. A wife doesn't have to just be a wife. A mother doesn't have to be just a caregiver. The film, though a remake, consciously included a girl in an all-boys basketball team, doing it so casually and seamlessly that it contributes to the much-needed normalisation of gender equality - at home and at work.
It's beautiful, if you observe, how 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is not just telling a story, but it's gently reshaping how we view relationships, parenting, and gender. Aamir Khan doesn't shout from rooftops. He whispers truths through humour, emotion, and subtle rebellion. And sometimes, that's the loudest voice of all.That's also where Khan stands out as a filmmaker - presenting a narrative which does equal justice to all its characters, especially women. He doesn't just include women in his story - he honours them. Whether it's the mother who finds love later in life or the wife who quietly acknowledges and affirms that choice, he crafts female characters not defined by sacrifice, but by selfhood.The mother in the film isn't seeking validation - she's seeking joy. And Gulshan's wife, Suneeta, played with quiet strength by Genelia D'Souza, understands that. Because being a woman in a world that rarely allows you to choose yourself makes you recognise when another woman finally does.advertisementIn a film that talks about inclusion, it's not just the neurodivergent people who find their place, it's also the women, written with grace, courage and, most importantly, the freedom to want more.'Sitaare Zameen Par' is currently running in theatres.Must Watch
IN THIS STORY#Aamir Khan
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