Like Stars on Earth

Movie guide

Like Stars on Earth (2007)

तारे ज़मीन पर

  • Drama
8.0/10 Drama4U Score · from 1,439 TMDB votes · How the score works

Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par, 2007): Aamir Khan's Hindi drama with Darsheel Safary. India release date, cast, runtime and where to watch in India.

Like Stars on Earth (2007) Synopsis: What Is the Story About?

Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) is an eight-year-old boy with a vivid inner life. He notices colours, animals and small everyday marvels that the grown-ups around him barely register. In a household and a school system built around marks, neat handwriting and finished homework, Ishaan keeps falling short. His teachers grow impatient, and his parents, Maya (Tisca Chopra) and Nandkishore (Vipin Sharma), are increasingly frustrated with him.

The Awasthis decide to send him to a boarding school, hoping strict discipline will fix what they see as laziness. Away from home, Ishaan feels lonelier than ever. Then Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir Khan), a teacher with an artist’s eye, joins the school and starts looking at Ishaan differently. He begins to wonder whether the boy’s struggles in class have a cause no one has tried to understand.

The film’s tagline, “Every child is special”, sums up its gentle and hopeful focus. It follows a child, the adults responsible for him, and the gap between what a child needs and what the system expects of him.

Like Stars on Earth — Mood illustration, not a still from the film
Mood illustration, not a still from the film

What Makes Like Stars on Earth Notable

  • Aamir Khan as director: Aamir Khan directed the film and also plays Ram Shankar Nikumbh. The production comes from Aamir Khan Productions, with PVR Inox Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures also credited.
  • Writer Amole Gupte: The screenplay is credited to Amole Gupte. The story is built around childhood, learning difficulties including dyslexia, and the relationship between teachers and students.
  • A child-led performance: Darsheel Safary leads the film as Ishaan. The supporting cast includes Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma, Tanay Chheda as Rajan Damodaran, Sachet Engineer as Yohaan Awasthi and Girija Oak as Jabeen. Shankar Sachdev, Rajgopal Iyer and Ravi Khanvilkar play staff members Tiwari Sir, George Sir and Mr. Holkar.
  • Origin and language: It is an Indian Hindi-language drama, originally titled तारे ज़मीन पर (Taare Zameen Par). It runs 162 minutes (about 2 hours 42 minutes).
  • Themes: Parent-child relationships, sibling jealousy, boarding school life, art and painting, and the pressure of academic expectations. The tone moves from emotional, sometimes melodramatic, moments to a hopeful outlook.

This is not one of the new movies of the season. It is a 2007 release that families and schools across India still seek out. If you are looking for a review, this page focuses on facts. The Drama4U Score is shown separately on this page.

Who Will Enjoy Like Stars on Earth?

  • Families looking for a U-certified Hindi drama to watch together
  • Parents and teachers interested in stories about how children learn and why some struggle at school
  • Viewers who like emotional, hopeful dramas centred on childhood
  • Fans of Aamir Khan who want to see his work behind the camera as well as on screen
  • Anyone interested in films about art, creativity and the teacher-student bond

Like Stars on Earth Release Date in India & Where to Watch

Theatrical (box office) release date in India: The film released in Indian cinemas on 21 December 2007 with a U certificate. Its worldwide release date is listed as 20 December 2007.

Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions: These were released theatrically in India on 12 September 2008, also rated U.

Home video: A DVD release in India is listed for 25 July 2008 (certificate U).

OTT release and where to watch in India: A current streaming platform for India is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. Availability on services such as Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 or SonyLIV can change, so check each app directly for the latest listing.

Cast

  • Darsheel SafaryDarsheel Safaryas Ishaan Nandkishore Awasthi
  • Aamir KhanAamir Khanas Ram Shankar Nikumbh
  • Tisca ChopraTisca Chopraas Maya Awasthi
  • Vipin SharmaVipin Sharmaas Nandkishore Awasthi
  • Tanay ChhedaTanay Chhedaas Rajan Damodaran
  • Sachet EngineerSachet Engineeras Yohaan Awasthi
  • Girija OakGirija Oakas Jabeen
  • Shankar Sachdevas Tiwari Sir

Photo: TMDB

FAQ

When was Like Stars on Earth (Taare Zameen Par) released in India?
Like Stars on Earth released in Indian cinemas on 21 December 2007 with a U certificate. Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions followed on 12 September 2008.
Where can I watch Like Stars on Earth online in India?
An Indian streaming platform for the film is not yet listed in TMDB/JustWatch data as of 24 October 2026. A DVD release in India is listed for 25 July 2008. Check Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and SonyLIV directly for current availability.
Who is in the cast of Like Stars on Earth?
Darsheel Safary plays Ishaan Awasthi and Aamir Khan plays Ram Shankar Nikumbh. They are joined by Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma, Tanay Chheda, Sachet Engineer, Girija Oak, Shankar Sachdev, Rajgopal Iyer and Ravi Khanvilkar.
Who directed and wrote Like Stars on Earth?
The film was directed by Aamir Khan and written by Amole Gupte. It was produced by Aamir Khan Productions, with PVR Inox Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures also credited.
What is the runtime of Like Stars on Earth, and is it suitable for children?
The film runs 162 minutes (about 2 hours 42 minutes). It carries a U certificate in India, meaning it is cleared for viewers of all ages.

Sources

  1. TMDB
  2. IMDb

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