The enduring impact of “Taare Zameen Par,” released on December 21, 2007, continues to resonate with Indian audiences even after 16 years. Whether through enthusiastic discussions on Bollywood podcasts or the transformation of its memorable scenes into social media memes, the film remains deeply ingrained in the public consciousness.For those unfamiliar, “Taare Zameen Par” was crafted by Amole Gupte, who helmed the direction alongside Aamir Khan.

In the film’s ensemble, Darsheel Safary portrayed the role of ‘Ishaan Awasthi,’ with Tisca Chopra and Vipin Sharma as his on-screen parents, and Aamir Khan as the empathetic art teacher, ‘Ram Shankar Nikumbh.’

Beyond its poignant narrative, the film’s soundtrack, featuring songs like “Bum Bum Bole,” “Kholo Kholo,” “Maa,” “Jame Raho,” and the titular track, continues to resonate with audiences.

After the monumental success of “Taare Zameen Par,” it’s intriguing to observe Darsheel Safary’s trajectory in Bollywood. Despite his remarkable portrayal at the tender age of 10, earning him the 2008 Filmfare Critic’s Award for Best Actor, Safary encountered challenges in sustaining his initial success. Despite subsequent appearances in films such as “Bumm Bumm Bole,” “Zokkomon,” “Midnight’s Children,” “Kutch Express,” and “Hukus Bukus,” he struggled to leave a lasting impression with his performances.

Darsheel Safary recently opened up about his reluctance to approach Aamir Khan for work opportunities post-“Taare Zameen Par.”

In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Safary attributed this hesitation to his innate shyness. Despite encouragement from others to establish contact with Khan for career advancement, Safary preferred a more organic approach. He expressed:

“Not at all! I am very shy. I get awkward with these things. I can’t tell you how many times I have been told, ‘Are you in touch with Aamir uncle? Drop him a text, call him, this and that.’ But I feel shy doing this. I don’t know how to put it in words. It should always happen organically.”

Furthermore, Safary emphasized his belief that professional opportunities should arise solely from one’s work ethic.

While acknowledging Khan’s awareness of his projects post-“Taare Zameen Par” and his well-wishes, Safary underscored his preference for Khan’s blessings rather than direct assistance:

“Work leading to more opportunities is the ideal way forward. This concept of, ‘tumpe kisi ka haath hai. I have never understood that and I have never expected that as well. In fact, after Taare Zameen Par, almost every project that I have done, somewhere or the other, it has been communicated to Aamir that this is the project that I am doing. It’s mostly the case, just to get his blessings.”

In a recent Instagram post on March 4, 2024, Safary teased an upcoming collaboration with Khan, fueling speculation about a potential sequel to “Taare Zameen Par” titled “Sitaare Zameen Par.” However, concrete details about this project remain scarce, leaving fans eagerly anticipating further announcements.

What are your thoughts on Darsheel Safary’s decision not to seek out work opportunities from Aamir Khan? Let us know in the comments.