Aamir Khan reveals how Amitabh Bachchan encouraged him for Sitaare Zameen Par theater-only release

Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan

Bollywood star Aamir Khan will return to the big screen after a three-year break with his next movie, Sitaare Zameen Par, which is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release on June 20.

Aamir is adamant about keeping his most recent project limited to theatres, at least initially, despite the prevalent trend of films debuting on over-the-top (OTT) platforms soon after their theatrical runs.

Aamir recently told India Today that the renowned actor Amitabh Bachchan was the one who inspired him to stick to his guns. Aamir expressed scepticism about the current practice of releasing films digitally only weeks after their theatrical debut, despite his favourable opinion of streaming services.

“Even though I have no issue with any streaming platforms, I was unable to find logic in the timeline in which a film has a theatrical release and then premieres on OTT within the next few weeks,” Aamir said during the interaction. He credited Amitabh Bachchan for encouraging him to take a leap of faith and follow his convictions.

He added, “I am a loyalist of cinema, and I believe in it. Yes, it’s a big risk, and there’s a lot [of money] involved. If I don’t get that chunk of my pre-sales, and the film doesn’t work, it could lead to a major loss. I did receive offers, but I turned them down because I want audiences to go to theatres and watch my film. I believe in cinema, and I believe in my audience.”

“Everyone was suggesting we go the conventional way, but I was adamant about a theatre-only release. That night, when I met Mr Bachchan, I don’t know what came over me, but I opened up to him about my concerns. I told him that friends and well-wishers all felt I wasn’t making the right choice,” Aamir further shared.

The veteran actor advised Aamir Khan to trust his instincts, reminding him that he had always been a risk-taker. Aamir recalled, “I was scared and unsure, but he told me, ‘Why aren’t you doing it? You’ve always taken risks. You’re a risk-taker.’ All of us deeply respect Amit ji, and when he said that, it validated my belief. That’s when I decided to go ahead and release the film only in cinemas.”

Sitaare Zameen Par, which was directed by RS Prasanna, is regarded as the spiritual sequel to Aamir's critically acclaimed 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. This time, Aamir portrays a basketball coach who works with a group of athletes who have special needs. The Spanish movie Campeones served as the inspiration for the story.

Also Read: Aamir Khan says Farhan Akhtar was finalised for Sitaare Zameen Par during his break: ‘He was disappointed when I returned’

Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar are among the ten new actors in the Aamir Khan Productions-backed movie. Aamir is obviously trying to entice viewers to return to theatres for a meaningful cinematic experience with a moving story and a powerful ensemble cast.