Sitare Zameen Par and R.K. Narayan’s Crime and Punishment

This thought provoking blog task is assigned by Megha ma'am to understand the role of teacher's, student's and parent's role. 

A Reflective Blog on Sitare Zameen Par and R.K. Narayan’s Crime and Punishment

Introduction

In both literature and cinema, we often come across stories that challenge how we look at children, education, and human potential. Recently, after reading R.K. Narayan’s short story Crime and Punishment, I watched the 2025 film Sitare Zameen Par. Surprisingly, even though the two belong to different mediums, both highlight deep truths about how adults treat children and those who learn differently.

This blog is a reflection of my thoughts and emotions after watching the film. I will share how the film presents the education system, the roles of teachers and parents, how it relates to Narayan’s story, and what lessons I personally took from it.

About the Author: R.K. Narayan

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan (1906–2001) was one of India’s most celebrated English-language writers. Best known for his fiction set in the imaginary South Indian town of Malgudi, he wrote novels and short stories that reflected everyday life in Indian middle-class society with simplicity, humour, and gentle irony. His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), marked the beginning of a long and successful literary career. R.K. Narayan’s storytelling style was clear, realistic, and filled with human emotions. Through his characters and observations, he brought Indian life to global readers in a deeply relatable way.

About the Short Story: Crime and Punishment by R.K. Narayan

Crime and Punishment is a short but powerful story that talks about a young schoolboy and his home tutor. The boy is extremely spoiled by his overprotective parents. When the teacher slaps the boy once out of frustration, the boy cleverly uses it against him—threatening to tell his parents. The tutor becomes scared and completely loses control over the child.

This story gives a strong message about how too much pampering and lack of discipline can lead to manipulation. It also shows how the teacher’s fear and the parents’ overinvolvement destroy the true spirit of education. In short, it reflects the imbalance in the teacher student parent relationship.

About the Film: Sitare Zameen Par (2025)

Sitaare Zameen Par 

Directed by Aamir Khan and released in 2025, Sitare Zameen Par is a sports drama but with a meaningful social message. The story revolves around a basketball coach, Gulshan Arora (played by Aamir Khan), who is forced to coach a team of intellectually challenged players as part of his punishment after a violent incident in a match.

At first, Gulshan sees the team as a burden. He’s rude, harsh, and lacks understanding. But slowly, the team members—each with a different neurodivergent condition like autism, Down syndrome, or other learning difficulties—start to transform him. He begins to see their inner strength, their joy, their unique ways of learning and expressing emotions.

By the end of the film, he admits that they were the ones who truly coached him. The movie becomes a journey of personal growth, not just for the players, but for the coach himself.

How the Movie Portrays the Education System

Although Sitare Zameen Par focuses on sports, it indirectly comments on the education system and social attitude toward children with intellectual disabilities. The film shows that:

Children who learn differently are often left behind or considered "less capable."

The system is more focused on performance and competition than on compassion and understanding.

Real education should focus on building confidence, encouraging strengths, and creating equal opportunities.

Through Gulshan’s initial failure and later realization, the film sends a clear message: we must change our attitudes toward children who don’t fit the “normal” mold.

Message About Teachers and Parents

In both the film and Narayan’s story, the role of adults—especially teachers and parents—is shown as deeply influential.

In Crime and Punishment, parents are shown as too soft, overprotective, and blind to their child’s manipulation. The teacher is helpless and becomes a victim of the system and fear. In contrast, Sitare Zameen Par presents a coach who begins as strict and insensitive but learns the value of patience, emotional intelligence, and flexible teaching.

The coach transforms into a mentor who listens, understands, and adapts. The film shows that teachers (and coaches) must understand their students emotionally, not just intellectually. Parents are also shown in a more supportive role as the film progresses, trusting their children’s growth through experience and effort.

Where Narayan’s story shows what happens when teachers lose control and parents overstep, the film shows what can happen when both work together with empathy.

How the Movie Compares with the Story

Even though the short story and the movie are very different in terms of tone and storyline, they both talk about how adults can either help or harm a child’s growth.

Crime and Punishment uses irony and satire to show the consequences of overpampering a child and undersupporting the teacher. The boy becomes manipulative, and the teacher becomes powerless. There is no emotional connection between the teacher and the student.

On the other hand, Sitare Zameen Par is emotional and heartwarming. The children are not manipulative—they are innocent and want to learn and grow. The coach, who starts off as emotionally disconnected, slowly forms strong, respectful bonds with his students. He realizes that understanding, care, and belief can bring out the best in them.

While Narayan’s story is a warning about a broken system, Sitare Zameen Par is a hopeful journey that shows how change is possible with the right attitude.

Personal Reflections: What I Felt and Learned

Watching Sitare Zameen Par after reading Narayan’s story made me reflect deeply on real life situations.

 I realized how often society judges children by fixed standards and labels.

 I understood that every child has something special, but we need to look closely and with kindness to see it.

 The film reminded me that teachers and coaches must keep learning, just like students.

 I felt emotional when the players were finally recognized not for what they lacked, but for who they truly were.

In contrast, Narayan’s story made me feel how dangerous it is when adults don’t have healthy boundaries or communication with children. It was a warning, while the film was a guide.

Conclusion: Learning to See the Stars

The title Sitare Zameen Par (Stars on Earth) itself is symbolic. It tells us that there are stars all around us, even if we don’t always notice them. Whether it is the boy in Crime and Punishment or the players in Sitare Zameen Par, every child deserves understanding, freedom, and the right kind of guidance.

These stories taught me that real education is not about control, fear, or performance—it is about care, patience, and belief.

As adults—whether we are teachers, parents, or mentors—it is our job to bring out the shine in every child, not dim it by comparison or criticism.

Let us all learn to see the stars on Earth, and help them rise.