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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD JUNE 13, 2025 | The Indian Eye 42

Aamir Khan Bets Big on ‘Sitaare

Zameen Par’—But Is It His

Redemption or a Risky Replay?

The trailer of Sitaare Zameen Par promises heart, humor, and hope—but Aamir Khan’s

comeback film is already battling criticism for being too familiar

OUR BUREAU officially confirmed whether Sitaare
Zameen Par is an adaptation. The ab-
Mumbai
sence of clarity only adds to the skep-
ollywood superstar Aamir ticism. “We know what happened to
Khan is no stranger to high Laal Singh Chaddha, and now Aamir
Bstakes. But with Sitaare Za- Khan is repeating the same mistake,”
meen Par, his first release after the un- wrote one user.
derwhelming Laal Singh Chaddha, the Yet, the film does break new
stakes are personal. Slated for release ground in one important aspect—its
on June 20, 2025, the film is being tout- cast. Prasanna has gone beyond to-
ed as a “spiritual sequel” to the 2007 ken representation by working with
classic Taare Zameen Par, a film that actors who live with intellectual dis-
cemented Aamir’s status as a sensitive abilities. “These are real people with
storyteller. Naturally, expectations real stories,” the director emphasized.
are sky-high—and so is the scrutiny. “They’re the true stars of this film. We
The trailer, which dropped this couldn’t have made it without them.”
week, shows Khan in the role of a re- He spoke passionately about the
luctant basketball coach sentenced to joys and challenges of working with
work with a team of intellectually dis- neurodiverse actors, describing the ex-
abled players. The tone is light-heart- perience as “life-changing” and “hum-
ed but emotional, laced with comedic bling.” For Prasanna and Aamir, the
moments and heart-tugging scenes, film seems to be as much about the
capturing a journey of transformation process as the product.
and empathy. Genelia Deshmukh Despite the backlash, industry
plays his love interest, while the en- watchers believe Sitaare Zameen Par
semble cast includes actors with Down could still strike an emotional chord
syndrome and autism, drawing atten- with audiences, especially families
tion for its inclusive approach. and viewers looking for socially rel-
While the trailer was expected to evant cinema. The themes of second
spark applause, it instead triggered Despite the backlash, industry watchers believe Sitaare Zameen Par could still strike an chances, inclusion, and uncondition-
controversy. Viewers quickly pointed al acceptance remain powerful, and
out uncanny similarities to the 2023 emotional chord with audiences (ANI) Aamir’s star power can still draw sig-
Hollywood sports dramedy Champi- nificant attention at the box office.
ons, itself a remake of the Spanish hit standing firm. Speaking to ANI, he de- Sitaare Zameen Par as an extension Whether Sitaare Zameen Par
Campeones. Social media buzzed with fended the film’s intentions and emo- of that thought?’” Prasanna recalled. turns into a hit or not, the film is unde-
accusations: “Frame-by-frame copy,” tional foundation. “The core of this “That gave the film its direction.” niably a crucial pivot in Aamir Khan’s
one user wrote on X. Others lament- film comes from Taare Zameen Par,” The project is particularly mean- career. It’s a comeback that carries
ed Aamir’s apparent return to remake he said. “It has humor, heart, and a ingful for Aamir. After taking a long emotional weight and creative risk.
territory, recalling the fallout from deeper message. Yes, there are com- break from acting to reassess his cre- And while the conversation around
Laal Singh Chaddha, a Hindi adapta- parisons, but our approach is unique.” ative path, he returns to the screen originality continues, the film’s com-
tion of Forrest Gump, which failed to According to Prasanna, the jour- with a film that aims to blend enter- mitment to representation and emo-
connect with Indian audiences. ney began in 2007 when he watched tainment with social consciousness. tional storytelling may yet win over
“This is Laal Singh Chaddha déjà Aamir receive the Best Debut Director His portrayal of a flawed man finding hearts—even if not all critics.
vu,” one critic posted. “Another West- award for Taare Zameen Par. Years redemption through service is not As the countdown to June 20
ern remake wrapped in an emotional later, when the two finally met, the only the arc of his character—it may begins, one thing is clear: Sitaare Za-
Indian storyline.” Many questioned emotional connection to that moment also reflect the arc of Aamir’s own ca- meen Par is more than just a movie for
why a star known for his originality planted the seed for their collabora- reer after recent setbacks. Aamir Khan—it’s a mission to remind
and depth would choose what ap- tion. “Aamir Sir and I often discussed That said, the resemblance to audiences, and perhaps himself, of the
peared to be a rehashed narrative. scenes from Taare Zameen Par, and Champions continues to cloud the power of cinema to heal, inspire, and
But director R.S. Prasanna is one day he said, ‘Why don’t we see conversation. The film’s team has not include.

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