Did Aamir Khan REJECT Rs 120 Cr Offer From This OTT Platform For ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’?
Aamir Khan’s comeback film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ is all set to release in theatres on June 20.
In an era where digital premieres have become the norm, Aamir Khan is taking a bold stand to reaffirm his faith in the big screen experience. Ahead of the release of his upcoming film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, the Bollywood superstar has made it clear that the movie will not debut on OTT platforms within weeks of its theatrical release – a move that’s both surprising and strategic in today’s fast-shifting film landscape.
According to film trade analyst Komal Nahta, Aamir Khan recently turned down a massive Rs 120 crore offer from Amazon Prime Video for the film’s digital rights.
Writing for Film Information, Komal Nahta noted that Aamir Khan didn’t decline the deal in hopes of a bidding war or better offer. Rather, he’s intentionally trying to “change the game” for theatrical releases by prioritising the cinematic experience over instant digital access.
“A film is meant for the big screen — and Aamir would have it no other way....Frankly, Amazon Prime’s offer was too lucrative for anyone to turn down…If this non-availability of his film on OTT indeed increases footfalls in cinemas, it may not just revive the industry and give box-office business the much-needed boost but it could also start a trend of either producers emulating Aamir Khan’s example or at least the industry as a whole revisiting the issue of when to release a film digitally,” Komal Nahta added.
However, there’s a real financial risk involved. If ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ doesn’t perform exceptionally at the box office, Aamir Khan stands to lose Rs 120 crore from the foregone OTT deal.
In a recent interview with India Today, Aamir Khan shared that it was megastar Amitabh Bachchan who inspired him to go the exclusive theatrical route.
“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 had shared.
The veteran actor advised Aamir to trust his instincts. 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.”
Aamir 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.”
Directed by RS Prasanna, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ is a spiritual successor to the 2007 classic ‘Taare Zameen Par’.
Releasing in theatres on June 20, the film stars Aamir as a basketball coach training a team of players with special needs. Genelia D’Souza also plays a key role in the film, which is a remake of the Spanish movie ‘Campeones’.
Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the movie features ten debut actors: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar.
