'Taare Zameen Par'gets standing ovation in Seattle

Bollywood star Aamir Khan's belief that people across the globe react to some films in the same way was reaffirmed when his film got a standing ovation from the audience present at a special screening in Seattle.

Aamir's directorial debut, "Taare Zameen Par", which released in India Dec 21, 2007, moved the audience with its sensitive subject of an eight-year-old dyslexic boy and a teacher, played by Aamir, bringing the child out of his predicament.

The film drew a similar response in Seattle Oct 29, where it was being screened for the annual conference of the International Dyslexia Association.

"Everyone just loved the film and it had struck a really deep chord," Aamir wrote on his blog www.aamirkhan.com/blog.

"In fact the reaction was exactly as it had been with audiences back home in India. It really amazes me how people from all across the world react to some films in pretty much the same way, which reaffirms the fact of how similar we all are no matter which part of the globe we come from," he added.

According to the actor, there were 200 members, mostly American, who were present at the screening that took place in a conference room instead of a cinema hall.

Aamir writes that he was really nervous in the presence of dyslexia experts and "kept squirming", wishing that he could disappear into his seat.

"And then finally the film got over and the lights came on to an absolutely thunderous standing ovation!" added Aamir.

"My god, it was so moving. I was so overwhelmed. Then I came forward for the questions and answers and saw the tears streaming down the cheeks of the audience. I can't tell you how happy I was to see so many people cry!" said he.

Aamir, who is now looking forward to the release of his film "Ghajini", also shared that most members of the audience had expressed a desire to have the film "re-released in the US theatres, this time for the mainstream American audience".

After winning several awards in India, "Taare Zameen Par" has also been selected as India's entry for the Oscar 2009 in the best foreign film category.