🎬 Aamir Khan Rejects ₹120 Cr Amazon Prime Video Offer for Sitaare Zameen Par, Pledges Theatre-First Release
By [Deepak patel] — June 19, 2025
Bollywood’s perfectionist Aamir Khan is once again challenging the industry’s norms. According to trade analyst Komal Nahta, the actor-producer has declined a staggering ₹120 crore offer from Amazon Prime Video for the streaming rights to his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par—a bold move rooted in his commitment to the theatrical experience .
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🎯 A Deliberate Push for the Big Screen
Rather than follow the two-month theatrical-to-OTT release trend, Khan insists on an eight-week exclusive theatrical window. His aim? To revive the communal magic of cinema halls, reminding audiences why they exist beyond convenience .
In a statement reflecting his cinematic philosophy, Aamir said, “A film is meant for the big screen,” adding that early OTT availability undermines box office prospects .
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🔄 A Shift in Digital Strategy
The strategy isn’t about rights flippers. A source quoted by Outlook reports that Khan’s rejection wasn’t a ploy for higher bids, but a conscious effort “to try and change the game” . He’s reportedly exploring a YouTube pay-per-view alternative, giving him full control over release timing and pricing—something major OTTs typically won’t grant .
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🎭 Theatre Policies Under the Microscope
Beyond digital rights, Khan has also instructed exhibitors on stricter theatre policies: no shows before 9 am, fair pricing (eschewing blockbuster premiums), and dedicated screen quotas for both multiplexes and single screens .
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⚖️ Weighing the Stakes
The upside? A successful theatrical run could revive box office numbers and set a precedent for others. But it’s a high-stakes gamble: if it fails, Sitaare Zameen Par could lose around ₹120 crore in foregone OTT revenue .
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🏀 About Sitaare Zameen Par
Directed by R. S. Prasanna, this spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par (2007) releases in theatres on 20 June 2025 . Inspired by the Spanish film Champions, it follows a coach (Khan) guiding a basketball team of young athletes with disabilities. Genelia Deshmukh joins him in this heartfelt ensemble.
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🧩 Closing Thoughts
Aamir Khan’s stance reflects not just star power but a deep-seated belief in cinema as an art form. By risking substantial streaming revenue, he’s betting on the emotional power of the big screen and the commercial momentum it can generate. His experiment with Sitaare Zameen Par could influence how Bollywood approaches digital windows—and determine whether film remains a shared experience.
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