Aamir Khan Returns to Big Screen with ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’
After a three-year break from acting, Aamir Khan’s much-talked-about comeback film, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, made its theatrical debut on Friday. But despite the anticipation, the box office numbers have left many wondering—has Aamir lost his Midas touch?
According to early estimates reported by Saclink.com, the film collected ₹11.05 crore on its first day. Comparatively, that’s lower than his last film ‘Laal Singh Chaddha’, which earned ₹11.7 crore on opening day in 2022. Worse yet, it was overshadowed by Salman Khan’s ‘Sikandar’, which opened with ₹26 crore.
What Happened on Release Day
Despite being labeled a spiritual successor to 2007’s Taare Zameen Par, the movie faced a rather slow start. With mixed responses and tepid theater occupancy, the film didn’t quite match the momentum many industry insiders had expected.
- Overall Friday occupancy: 17.73%
- Morning shows: 16.74%
- Afternoon shows: 16.25%
- Evening shows: Slight increase to 20.21%
These numbers indicate that while there was some movement in the evening, it wasn’t enough to compensate for the sluggish start earlier in the day.
How Does This Compare?
For context, here are the opening day figures of recent major Bollywood releases:
- Sikandar (Salman Khan): ₹26 crore
- Laal Singh Chaddha (Aamir Khan): ₹11.7 crore
- Sitaare Zameen Par: ₹11.05 crore
Not only did the film underperform compared to competitors, but it also fell short of Aamir’s own previous benchmarks.
About ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’
Directed by RS Prasanna, the movie is a Hindi remake of the Spanish film Campeones. While positioned as a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par, this film follows a very different path—a sports drama with emotional undertones.
The story brings together 10 new actors portraying individuals with intellectual challenges, a bold and heartfelt casting move. The fresh faces include:
- Aroush Datta
- Gopi Krishna Varma
- Samvit Desai
- Vedant Sharma
- Ayush Bhansali
- Ashish Pendse
- Rishi Shahani
- Rishabh Jain
- Naman Mishra
- Simran Mangeshkar
And let’s not forget, Aamir Khan himself—it’s his name that’s driving footfall, at least for now.
Early Reactions and Reviews
The film hasn’t been a total miss with viewers. Some early reviews praised the emotional strength and group dynamics. As the Hindustan Times noted,
“Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par is a heartfelt product, meant to be experienced in a packed theatre. The collective laughter, the silent sniffles, and more, enhance the film’s impact.”
While some critics questioned the film’s pacing and originality, others appreciated the ensemble-led storytelling. It may not have the glow of its predecessor, but it does have its own quiet shine. Perhaps that’s enough to build word-of-mouth momentum—if it manages to hold theatres through the weekend.
Watch the Trailer
Why the Low Opening?
So, what’s behind the uninspiring opening for a film starring one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars?
There could be a few factors at play:
- Post-COVID audience fatigue — People are more selective about what they watch in cinemas now.
- Lingering disappointment with Laal Singh Chaddha — The last outing wasn’t well received. The taste it left may still linger.
- Weak promotional buzz — The marketing campaign didn’t quite spark the kind of excitement typical for Aamir’s releases.
And maybe the story itself appealed to a niche audience rather than the massy crowd Bollywood thrives on.
Government’s Reaction
There’s been no official statement from the government regarding the film—unsurprising, as it’s not centrally political or controversial in nature. That said, one could argue that stories focusing on disability and inclusion deserve more institutional support. Maybe that comes next. We’ll have to wait and watch.
What Next for Aamir Khan?
This opening shouldn’t be seen as a final verdict. Aamir Khan has managed to turn things around before. Whether Sitaare Zameen Par picks up over the weekend depends on audience feedback and steady footfalls.
Could this be another sleeper hit, slowly gaining traction through positive word of mouth? Or will it fizzle out quickly, another victim of rising viewer expectations?
Right now, it’s balanced on a fine edge. Either it sparks through the weekend, or it fades into the long, crowded list of ‘almosts’.
