Crime and Punishment by R.K.Narayan
About R.K.Narayan
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, popularly known as R. K. Narayan, was born on 10 October 1906 in Madras (now Chennai), India, and died on 13 May 2001. He was one of the most celebrated Indian writers in English, known for his simple and realistic stories about middle-class Indian life. Most of his works are set in the fictional town of Malgudi, which he created. His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), introduced his unique style of storytelling. Other major works include The Bachelor of Arts, The Guide, and Malgudi Days. His writing is marked by gentle humour, deep insight into human nature, and a clear, simple use of English, making him one of the key figures in Indian English literature.
1.How does the movie portray the education system?
Introduction:
The film Sitaare Zameen Par (2025), directed by R.S. Prasanna, sheds light on the education system, especially its treatment of differently-abled individuals. While the story centers on a basketball coach working with neurodivergent adults, it makes a powerful commentary on how educational institutions often ignore inclusivity, emotional development, and individual needs.
1. Lack of Inclusive Education
The film highlights how traditional education systems often fail to accommodate students with special needs. Most schools focus on academic excellence and discipline but ignore emotional intelligence, creativity, and diverse learning styles. The neurodivergent characters in the film are shown to be misunderstood, underestimated, or even excluded from mainstream learning environments.
"Our system teaches competition, not compassion." — A key message from the movie.
2. Misjudgment Based on Abilities
Teachers and schools are often quick to judge students based on their performance in fixed academic frameworks. The film shows how society labels individuals as "unfit" simply because they do not conform to traditional standards. It criticizes the "one-size-fits-all" model and calls for recognizing multiple intelligences and talents.
3. The Role of Empathy in Education
Through the character of the coach (played by Aamir Khan), the film promotes an alternative approach to education—one that is based on empathy, patience, and understanding. The coach becomes a mentor who believes in the potential of every individual, which contrasts with the rigid and indifferent attitude of most institutions.
4. A Call for Reform
The film indirectly urges educators and policymakers to rethink the system. It advocates for:
Inclusive learning spaces.
Teacher training in handling special needs.
Emotional support alongside academics.
Conclusion:
Sitaare Zameen Par serves as a mirror to the current education system. It reveals its limitations and urges us to build a system where every child, regardless of ability, is given a chance to shine. The film reminds us that education should not just be about grades, but about growth, dignity, and humanity.
2.What message does the movie give about the role of teachers and parents?
Introduction:
Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) presents a strong emotional message about how teachers and parents shape the lives of children and individuals with special needs. The film challenges the traditional mindset and promotes a more understanding, compassionate, and supportive role for both teachers and parents.
1. Teachers as Mentors, Not Just Instructors
The movie shows that a good teacher is not just someone who delivers knowledge but someone who understands each student’s potential. Aamir Khan’s character, the basketball coach, becomes a mentor and friend to his neurodivergent team.
He gives them confidence and dignity.
He adapts his teaching style to suit their needs.
He does not judge them by their limitations, but encourages their strengths.
"A real teacher brings out the hidden star in every student." — This is the film’s central belief.
2. Parents Must Be Supportive, Not Pressurizing
The film subtly criticizes how some parents force their own dreams and expectations on their children. Instead of supporting their children’s unique journeys, many parents in the film are shown as either overprotective or indifferent.
Parents are reminded to listen, accept, and trust their children.
Emotional support is shown to be more important than pressure for success.
The film encourages parents to focus on their children’s happiness, not just their achievements.
3. Joint Responsibility for Emotional Growth
The movie gives the message that both teachers and parents are equally responsible for the emotional well-being of a child or student. It is not enough to just educate or feed them; they need love, understanding, and acceptance.
Teachers and parents must work together to support a child’s growth.
They should create a safe space for children to fail, learn, and improve.
Conclusion:
Sitaare Zameen Par powerfully conveys that teachers and parents must shift from being authority figures to becoming empathetic guides. Only then can children and neurodivergent individuals truly grow, express themselves, and become confident members of society.
3.How does it compare with the story?
Introduction:
Both Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) and R.K. Narayan’s short story Crime and Punishment explore the theme of education and the treatment of young learners. While the film focuses on neurodivergent adults in a sports setting, and the story portrays a schoolboy under academic pressure, both works deliver powerful critiques of rigid teaching methods and highlight the importance of empathy in education.
1. Teacher's Role: From Authority to Mentor
In Crime and Punishment, the teacher is a young home tutor who uses fear and punishment to make the boy obedient. He slaps the child when he lies about his homework, showing how education is used as a tool of discipline.
In contrast, Sitaare Zameen Par portrays a coach (teacher) who is gentle, patient, and encouraging. Instead of punishing his players, he builds trust and guides them by understanding their individual needs.
Message:
While Narayan criticizes harsh discipline, the film promotes empathy-based teaching.
2. Parental Pressure and Expectations
In Narayan’s story, the boy’s father expects strict discipline and good academic performance. He hires the tutor to make sure the child performs well, ignoring his mental and emotional well-being.
In Sitaare Zameen Par, some characters also represent parents who judge children by success or failure. But the film eventually shows how accepting and loving parenting can bring out the best in children, especially those with special needs.
Message:
Both texts criticize parental pressure and show how it can harm a child’s confidence and growth.
3. Emotional Needs Over Academic Performance
The boy in Crime and Punishment is intelligent and playful, but the focus on marks and strictness kills his curiosity and joy. The tutor later realizes this and regrets his harsh methods.
In Sitaare Zameen Par, the coach understands that emotional safety comes before performance. The neurodivergent characters learn best when they feel valued and free from judgment.
Message:
Both stories highlight the importance of emotional well-being over academic or athletic performance.
Conclusion:
Both Crime and Punishment and Sitaare Zameen Par deliver a similar moral: Education must be rooted in empathy, not fear.
R.K. Narayan shows how punishment can harm children, while Sitaare Zameen Par offers a hopeful model where love, understanding, and flexibility help individuals shine.
Together, they urge teachers and parents to nurture, not control, those in their care.
4.What did you feel or learn after watching the movie?
Watching Sitaare Zameen Par was not just a movie experience — it was an emotional journey that changed how I think about education, ability, and human dignity. It made me realize the importance of empathy, patience, and acceptance, especially toward those who are differently abled.
The film beautifully teaches us that everyone has the right to dream, grow, and be respected, regardless of their learning speed or social behavior. It questions the idea of "normal" and shows that being different is not a weakness but a unique strength.
One of the most powerful dialogues that stayed with me was:
"Tum sab sitare ho… bas zameen par ho. Chamak toh tumhari bhi kisi se kam nahi."
(You are all stars… just placed on the earth. Your shine is no less than anyone else’s.)
This line reminded me how labels like 'slow', 'useless', or 'mad' are unfair. People need love, not judgment.
Another moment that deeply moved me was when the coach gently says:
"Main tumse kuch alag nahi chahata… bas itna chahata hoon ki tum khud par bharosa karna seekho."
(I don’t want anything special from you… I just want you to learn to trust yourself.)
Through his journey with the neurodivergent team, we see that true teaching is not about correcting mistakes, but about building confidence.
The movie also criticizes the pressure placed on children by society. One meaningful dialogue was:
"Kab tak hum apne sapne in bachchon par thopte rahenge?"
(How long will we keep forcing our own dreams on these children?)
This line made me think about how both parents and teachers often forget to listen — they only instruct. The film gently teaches us that real education is not in books alone, but in building human connection, showing compassion, and recognizing inner talent.
In conclusion:
Sitaare Zameen Par taught me that everyone deserves a chance to shine, and that the role of teachers and parents is not to force success, but to guide, support, and believe. It left me with hope — that if society changes its mindset, even the most neglected stars can light up the sky.
