Like Stars on Earth poster

Like Stars on Earth

2007165 minutesPG
5.7
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
⭐ 8.3IMDb
🍅 93%Rotten Tomatoes
🎬 8.0TMDb
📊 6.5Popularity
🏆28 wins & 18 nominations total
Genre: Drama, Family
Directed by: Aamir Khan
Ishaan Awasthi is an eight-year-old child whose world is filled with wonders that no one else seems to appretiate are just not important in the world of adults, who are much more interested in things like homework, marks and neatness. And Ishaan just cannot seem to get anything right in class. When he gets into far more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed off to a boarding school to 'be disciplined'. Things are no different at his new school, and Ishaan has to contend with the added trauma of separation from his family. One day a new art teacher bursts onto the scene, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, who infects the students with joy and optimism. He breaks all the rules of 'how things are done' by asking them to think, dream and imagine, and all the children respond with enthusiasm, all except Ishaan. Nikumbh soon realizes that Ishaan is very unhappy, and he sets out to discover why. With time, patience and care, he ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.

Box Office

Budget:$2.6M
Revenue:$28.4M
Profit:$25.8M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6.6/10
Emotional Arc Impact5.5/10
Thematic Consistency5/10
Overall Score5.7/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

Like Stars on Earth Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
10 min
3
Set-Up
20 min
4
Catalyst
35 min
5
Debate
50 min
6
Break Into Two
60 min
7
B Story
70 min
8
Fun and Games
85 min
9
Midpoint
100 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
120 min
11
All Is Lost
135 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
145 min
13
Break Into Three
150 min
14
Finale
160 min
15
Final Image
165 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

Ishaan, a young boy, struggling at school. Failing in class, misbehaving, misunderstood. Emotional isolation. Parents frustrated, teachers exasperated. Sets tone of struggle and confusion.

#2

Theme Stated

10 min

Theme: Every child is unique. Understanding, patience, and empathy can unlock hidden potential.

#3

Set-Up

20 min

Daily school life: Ishaan failing, bullied, punished. Home life: parents strict, concerned, but unable to connect. Emotional pain evident. Creative and imaginative Ishaan misunderstood.

#4

Catalyst

35 min

New principal and special art teacher, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, arrive. Teacher notices Ishaan's potential in drawing. First glimpse of hope.

#5

Debate

50 min

Can Ishaan change? Can he be understood? Teacher must convince parents. Ishaan unsure of himself. Struggle between conformity and individuality.

#6

Break Into Two

60 min

Ishaan enters supportive environment. Teacher gives attention, teaches with patience. Learning techniques adapted to Ishaan. First real breakthroughs.

#7

B Story

70 min

Relationship with teacher grows. Ishaan begins to trust and connect. Home and school bridging gaps. Emotional growth begins.

#8

Fun and Games

85 min

Ishaan enjoys creative expression. Painting, drawing, exploring ideas. Experiencing joy of learning. Confidence rises. Parents begin to notice improvement.

#9

Midpoint

100 min

First academic success. Recognition in school for creativity. False victory: external validation achieved, but emotional growth still in process.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

120 min

External pressures: exams, rigid system, some parents/teachers skeptical. Ishaan struggles to maintain confidence. Tensions at home continue.

#11

All Is Lost

135 min

Ishaan faces major academic test, anxiety peaks. Fear of failure. Potential return to old patterns. Emotional crisis.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

145 min

Feeling overwhelmed. Reflecting on past failures. Fear and self-doubt dominate. Teacher encourages persistence.

#13

Break Into Three

150 min

Ishaan applies learning techniques and creativity under guidance. Confidence fully returns. Emotional breakthrough imminent.

#14

Finale

160 min

Ishaan excels academically and artistically. School recognizes his talent. Parents proud and supportive. Teacher satisfied. Emotional reconciliation achieved. Growth and potential realized.

#15

Final Image

165 min

Ishaan drawing confidently. Smiling, engaged, happy. Child thriving, individuality celebrated. Theme fully realized: every child is a star.