Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan was the only actor that came to R. S. Prasanna's mind, a director with only two films under his belt, when he chose to create a film on Down syndrome.
Director Prasanna, whose credits include Kalyana Samayal Saadham and Shubh Mangala Zyada Savdhan, claimed he cast Aamir Khan because he was the only actor he thought could carry off the part and the film's fitting title, Sitaare Zameen Par.
In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Prasanna referred to his collaboration with Aamir Khan as "a magical journey."
"Because the second I thought of who should play the role, who should I take the story to, the only person who came to my mind was Mr. Aamir Khan," he said.
In his third feature film directorial venture, Prasanna says he is still in disbelief that he collaborated with Aamir Khan.
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Getting in touch with Aamir Khan seems bold for Prasanna, who was recognized for his work with Jitendra Kumar and Ayushmann Khurrana in Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan.
“I was very apprehensive, I was very hopeful, and I was very nervous. I think if it weren’t for Aamir, I don’t think anyone else would have given this film the love, the sensitivity, and the support that Mr. Aamir brings to every project," he said.
Prasanna says it was that one dream call and somehow, everything aligned. “I believe in destiny. Sometimes it seems like the film is making itself through the people that it wants to tell its story. And Aamir sir has been my perfect support, my perfect platform.”
Everything changed after breakfast with Aamir
Prasanna informed us that he had anxiety attacks and couldn't sleep on the night before his first encounter with Aamir Khan.
"I had anxiety. But you know, when you love someone enough and you're doing a job that you love, you find your inner strength.”
But he confesses that everything just vanished the moment he stepped into Aamir Khan’s home.
“We had breakfast together; he made me so comfortable. I realized that here’s a man who was aware of his impact on people perhaps over the last so many decades… And yet, he takes the effort to make you feel comfortable. It’s only the powerful that can make the powerless feel comfortable.”
Sitaare Zameen Par title was suggested by Aamir Khan
Taare Zameen Par parallels were bound to happen from the start. I felt a lot better when Aamir Khan got on board. “ Having Aamir Khan on board helped calm my nerves. The association with Taare Zameen Par was only in our conversation that I would talk about it, and he would only recollect Taare Zameen Par. But then Aamir himself said, "Why don’t we kind of make this part of that canon of storytelling?" Aamir himself then suggested.
It was a moment of complete symmetry. Since this film shares the same spirit and inclusive philosophy as Taare Zameen Par, it felt like a fitting idea. "It seemed a very apt thought because this movie is from the same heart and inclusive thought behind Taare Zameen Par. But it brings a new story, a new character, and a new energy. There's comedy in it. There's also emotion. It’s the next chapter of our communication.”
Prasanna, who is usually the guy with all the answers, said he was left speechless when Aamir Khan suggested the title Sitaare Zameen Par.
“Everyone was excited. I was excited too. But more than that, I was really moved that he was kind of opening up, allowing us to be part of that legacy. "That was extremely generous," he added.
With Aamir Khan, there were no ego clashes
"Aamir Khan is one of the most approachable individuals I've ever collaborated with," Prasanna said confidently in response to our question about whether or not he had any ego or creative obstacles when working with Aamir Khan.
"Aamir Khan is one of the most open people I’ve ever worked with. I want to work with people who are super involved, super committed, and super passionate. Not half-hearted ones."
Prasanna calls working with Aamir Khan a 'beautiful collaboration.' "When you’re aligned on the sensibilities of the film, when there is no ego, it becomes a beautiful collaboration. That’s when a group becomes a team. Aamir sir always works like that. Aamir sir gives opinions not because he’s Aamir Khan, but because he’s also the producer and actor. But the only intention he comes with is the movie should be good. And that is the same intention I come with."
“He’s the best player I’ve ever seen. He’s so respectful to the director and everyone on set. There’s no creative clash—it’s always a discussion, a joint exploration.”
Prasanna recounted the advice from Dangal director Nitesh Tiwari: “Nitesh sir told me that Aamir sir is so addictive and he pampers his directors so much that you always hope to work with him again. And I echo that. As a director, I didn’t have to worry about anything other than directing.”
"Nitesh sir told me that Aamir sir is so addictive and he pampers his directors so much that you always hope to work with him again," Prasanna stated, quoting Nitesh Tiwari, director of Dangal. And I agree with that. Nothing except directing was required of me as a director.
It all comes down to love
Amid rumors and comparisons, Prasanna said, “I was so absorbed in the love that I got. This material gave me and my team an opportunity to do something that is truly the need of the hour—to be inclusive."
With more than 17 neurodivergent team members working on Sitaare Zameen Par, Prasanna says, "It’s not just a story—it’s an inclusive movement." It gave us a chance to bring out the goodness in us. The sitters embraced us with their enthusiasm. They made space for us in their world."
Sitaare isn't your typical emotional movie
You won't find a straight-laced emotional drama like Sitare Zameen Par. Prasanna says that the youthful enthusiasm of the film's performers is responsible for its humorous content.
“If you see the energy of our sitar in the BTS videos… it’s joy and happiness. Humor is a very powerful tool. It connects people. It makes one accepted. Laughter heals; laughter breaks ice. It’s a very important element of saying what the film is trying to say—that of inclusivity. That we all laugh the same way. And we all cry the same way.”
Complete entertainer with Aamir Khan's signature style
What does the film have to offer, particularly considering Aamir Khan's distinctive style?
The promise of an entertaining and educational family film starring Aamir Khan is always a good one. Watching this film will elicit both laughter and, one hopes, tears. He explained that the film's exclusive theatrical release was due to the fact that it is a family-friendly theatrical release. After its first release, Sitaare Zameen Par will not be available on any over-the-top (OTT) platform.
The directing career of Prasanna has been anything but traditional, spanning from Kalyana Samayal Saadham to Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan and now Sitaare Zameen Par.
A subject that has been seen but not given much attention, or something novel, is what captivates him, he explains.
His interest in developmental disorders was piqued by a personal experience, which he remembers. We were required to undergo pre-screening testing when we were expecting our first kid. We first heard the words "Down syndrome" and "autism" defined at that point.
Realizing that was a watershed moment. "I was so embarrassed that I was unaware of these things. Sitaare provided us with a chance to introduce this topic to our nation. "Not because it's a favor to them, but because it improves our lives."
"The overall well-being and performance of the entire class went up once they started getting in students with special needs," he continues, citing an inclusive school administration. Therefore, we aren't helping them out; rather, we are helping ourselves out by becoming more human.
With Aamir Khan as the lead, Prasanna says he hopes that the audience will love the film when it hits theaters on June 20.
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