Ahead of the theatrical release of his much-anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has taken a bold stand in support of cinema halls — by turning down a ₹120 crore digital rights offer from Amazon Prime Video.
🎬 A Move to “Change the Game”
As per veteran trade analyst Komal Nahta, Aamir refused the massive OTT deal not for higher bids, but to revive the theatrical culture. Writing in Film Information, Komal explained:
“He politely said ‘no’ because he has decided to try and change the game… A film is meant for the big screen — and Aamir would have it no other way.“
Aamir reportedly wants audiences to return to theatres instead of waiting for a film to drop on OTT just weeks later — a trend that has affected box-office collections across the industry.
💸 A Risk Worth ₹120 Crore?
Nahta noted that this offer was “too lucrative for anyone to turn down“, but Aamir’s refusal highlights his faith in theatrical viewing. However, the stakes are high. If the film underperforms in theatres, Aamir stands to lose that hefty ₹120 crore deal.
“If this non-availability of his film on OTT indeed increases footfalls in cinemas… it could start a trend of producers emulating Aamir Khan’s example,” Komal added.
🗣️ Encouragement from Amitabh Bachchan
In an interview with India Today, Aamir shared that Amitabh Bachchan encouraged him to go for an exclusive theatrical release. Aamir stated:
“Yes, it’s a big risk, and there’s a lot of money involved… But I believe in cinema, and I believe in my audience.“
🎥 About Sitaare Zameen Par
- Release Date: June 20, 2025
- Director: RS Prasanna
- Genre: Sports-drama with emotional core
- Inspired by: Spanish film Campeones
- Plot: Aamir plays a basketball coach mentoring a team of players with special needs.
- Co-star: Genelia D’Souza
- Cast includes: 10 debutant actors with disabilities: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, and others.
🧠 A Spiritual Sequel to Taare Zameen Par
Sitare Zameen Par is described as a spiritual successor to Aamir’s 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, which tackled learning disabilities. This time, the focus is on teamwork, inclusivity, and empowerment through sports.
With the film releasing on June 20, all eyes will be on how Sitaare Zameen Par performs at the box office — and whether Aamir Khan’s bold move can spark a theatrical revival in an OTT-dominated era.
