Gopi Krishnan Varma has been credited in the India Book of Records as the first lead actor with Down Syndrome. Now, he will be sharing the screen with Aamir Khan in 'Sitaare Zameen Par'.
Sitaare Zameen Par, produced by Aamir Khan and starring him as the main lead, is a sports comedy film that will be released on 20 June, 2025. The movie is inspired by a 2018 Spanish film called Campeones. As of now, a teaser has been released that shows Aamir Khan as a brash and straightforward person who has been sentenced to perform community service and coach a group of intellectually disabled youngsters to play basketball. The teaser promises that the film will deliver the audience with both comic and heartfelt moments.
Even though Aamir Khan is the star of the film, it's his basketball players with Down Syndrome who stole the show with glimpses of their performance in the film teaser. Malayalam actor, Gopi Krishnan Varma, who plays the role of one of the intellectually disabled youngsters, also made his Bollywood debut with this film. He has overcome health challenges and became the first lead actor with Down Syndrome in India. So, here is the inspiring life of Gopi Krishnan that shows the significance of inclusivity and representation in cinema.
Gopi Krishnan Varma was born in 1998 with Down Syndrome to parents, Kishore Aniyan and Ranjini. As an infant, he had severe respiratory issues and hyperactivity. Given his ailments, doctors had made his parents aware of the serious complications that followed his condition. However, despite the complications, Gopi Krishnan grew up comparatively healthier than other intellectually disabled children. He also did better in terms of intelligence and activity than most people with Down Syndrome. In an interview with Onmanorama, his mother, Ranjini Varma, said:
"Apart from some disadvantages in basic Mathematical skills, he is on par with other kids. Though his movements are a bit slow. He can read, write and speak English and Malayalam well, and he possesses an exceptional talent in computers."
Gopi Krishnan Varma was supported by his parents through every ups and downs in his life. His mother took him to school and stayed there with him throughout the day. The parents also wanted their son to experience being around able-bodied kids and learn their ways. So the actor went to both special and normal school until the eighth standard. After that, he completed his studies in the normal school.
Gopi Krishnan Varma's mother said that many believe that people with Down Syndrome are not as intelligent. But she thinks otherwise and said that they have 'something extra'. Hence, Ranjini brought up her son to be self-reliant so that he could be a model for other children with similar conditions. She also makes him do household chores, like his sister, to teach him that there is no social difference between them as a boy and a girl.
A fan of films and fashion, Gopi Krishnan Varma always had his own preference when it came to style. His family would find it very tough to make him choose from their suggestions. Most of the time, Gopi Krishnan already had screenshots of outfits worn by popular South Indian actors and would go on a hunt to find matching clothes. He also showed interest in acting and performing since his childhood.
Even with ADHD, Gopi Krishnan Varma sat through entire films in theatres. He also garnered a lot of views through his TikTok videos. Around this time, directors, Sam Xavier and George Kora were looking for an actor to play the lead role of someone with special needs for their movie, Thirike. Through their search, they got in contact with the doctor who was treating Gopi Krishnan.
After scoring the role in Thirike, Gopi Krishnan became the first lead actor with Down Syndrome. He was conferred with this title in the India Book Of Records in 2021. On the movie set, the actor gave as many takes as needed. Gopi Krishnan performed with a lot of patience and became familiar with the rigorous ways of film-making. With this film, he was also able to complete his lifelong dream of becoming an actor, and inspired many like him.
Aamir Khan, in his film, Sitaare Zameen Par, has made an effort to cast people with Down Syndrome to play characters with special needs. Gopi Krishnan is a part of this extraordinary cast as well. With his impeccable comic timing, the actor is sure to perform well in the upcoming sports drama film. He also handles his own social media and has posted the teaser and poster of the film.
Individuals with Down Syndrome have more chromosomes than able-bodied people. This results in various intellectual differences such as delay in mental development, some distinct physical features and other underlying issues like hyperactivity, heart problems etc. Learning, speaking, and everyday movement might be affected by this condition as well. However, with proper care, individuals with this syndrome can lead hassle-free lives. Aamir Khan's film, Sitaare Zameen Par, has been made to bring awareness to this special condition, as the prequel Taare Zameen Par made people aware of dyslexia.
What are your thoughts on Gopi Krishnan Varma as the first lead actor with Down Syndrome? Let us know.
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