Latest news with #GopiKrishnanVarma
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Gopi Krishnan Varma? The 'Sitaare Zameen Par' actor who holds the Indian record of being the first lead actor with Down Syndrome
Aamir Khan might be the central character in 'Sitare Zameen Par,' but it's Gopi Krishnan Varma who steals the spotlight. Varma holds the record of being the first actor with Down Syndrome to be the lead of a film in the India Book of Records. 'Sitare Zameen Par ' is a story about a hard-headed basketball coach who is assigned to train the intellectually challenged youths in basketball, one of whom is played by none other than the Malayalam actor, Gopi Krishnan Varma. Who is Gopi Krishnan Varma? Born in 1988 with Down Syndrome, Gopi had struggled with constant health issues and respiratory issues throughout his childhood. Despite the conflicts, Gopi grew up healthier than most of the children going through intellectual disabilities, and perceived greater understanding than the individuals with Down Syndrome, according to Money Control. All his life, the biggest cheerleaders of Gopi have been his parents, Kishore Aniyan and Ranjini. They wanted him to interact with the abled children as well; hence, they decided to put him in the special school as well as the regular school until eighth grade. Later, Gopi completed his schooling in a regular school. Gopi Krishnan Varma is independent... In an interview with Onmanorama, Gopi's mother, Ranjini Varma, said, "Apart from some disadvantages in basic Mathematical skills, he is on par with other kids. Though his movements are a bit slow. He can read, write, and speak English and Malayalam well, and he possesses an exceptional talent in computers." Gopi's mother taught him to be independent, and decided to teach him all the chores along with his sister, keeping no social differences between them. Despite having ADHD. Gopi has sat through the entire film in the theatre and received many views on his TikTok videos. Gopi Krishnan Varma's first film as a lead... Gopi landed his job as the lead in the film 'Thirke' in 2021, where directors Sam Xavier and George Kora needed an actor to play the role of an individual with special needs. He mastered the techniques and gave as many takes as needed for the film, and received the honorary title in 2021 as well. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sitaare Zameen Par: Meet Gopi Krishnan Varma from Aamir Khan starrer, India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome
Aamir Khan stars in and produces the upcoming sports comedy Sitaare Zameen Par, scheduled for release on June 20, 2025. The film is adapted from the 2018 Spanish movie Campeones. The recently released teaser features Aamir as a blunt and no-nonsense character who is assigned community service, coaching a team of intellectually challenged youths in basketball. The preview hints at a blend of humor and emotional depth that audiences can expect from the film. All you need to know about Gopi Krishnan Varma Although Aamir Khan is the film's lead, it's the basketball players with Down Syndrome who truly shine in the teaser, captivating audiences with their performances. Malayalam actor Gopi Krishnan Varma, portraying one of the intellectually challenged youths, makes his Bollywood debut in this movie. India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome Having overcome significant health challenges, Gopi Krishnan became India's first lead actor with Down Syndrome. His inspiring journey highlights the importance of inclusivity and representation in the world of cinema. Gopi was born in 1998 with Down Syndrome to his parents, Kishore Aniyan and Ranjini. As a baby, he faced severe respiratory problems and hyperactivity. Doctors had warned his parents about the serious complications associated with his condition. Despite these challenges, Gopi Krishnan grew up healthier than many other children with intellectual disabilities. He also showed higher levels of intelligence and activity compared to most individuals with Down Syndrome. Gopi Krishnan Varma received unwavering support from his parents throughout his life. His mother accompanied him to school and stayed with him all day. His parents also wanted him to interact with able-bodied children to learn from them. As a result, Gopi attended both special and regular schools until the eighth grade, after which he completed his education entirely in a regular school. Gopi Krishnan's inspiring journey Despite having ADHD, Gopi Krishnan Varma was able to sit through entire movies in theaters. He also gained significant attention through his TikTok videos. During this period, directors Sam Xavier and George Kora were searching for an actor to play the lead role of a person with special needs for their film Thirike. Their search led them to connect with Gopi Krishnan's doctor. After landing the lead role in Thirike, Gopi Krishnan Varma became the first actor with Down Syndrome to play a lead role, earning a place in the India Book of Records in 2021. In Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has made a conscious effort to cast actors with Down Syndrome in roles portraying characters with special needs. Gopi Krishnan is part of this remarkable Zameen Par will hit theaters on June 20, 2025.
