“Paathshaala” director Milind Ukey is tired of people constantly comparing his film with Aamir Khan’s “Taare Zameen Par” and says he is highlighting macro issues of the “education system at large”.
“People are comparing ‘Paathshaala’ to ‘Taare Zameen Par’, but when they see the film they will realise both are very different,” Ukey said in an interview.
” ‘Taare Zameen Par’ was about one child suffering from dyslexia and my film talks about the education system at large. Our issue and scope are bigger,” he added.
The Shahid Kapoor-starrer, choreographer-director Ahmad Khan’s debut production venture, is primarily about the Indian education system and deals with contemporary and socially relevant issues regarding children.
Ukey worked with child stars like Swini Khare from “Cheeni Kum”, Ali Haji from “Fanaa”, Dwij Yadav from “Nanhe Jaisalmer” and Avika Gor of “Balika Vadhu” fame apart from others.
Talking about his experience of working with children, Ukey said: “Handling almost 100 kids every day was not a cakewalk. Managing their mood swings, their study routines, etc., was difficult but at the same time once we knew how to communicate with them we were able to handle them better and it became a pleasurable experience.”
“Paathshaala”, which is slated to release April 16 and was completed in 36 days, also stars Ayesha Takia.