Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par Faces Slow Start at Box Office

Aamir Khan's upcoming film 'Sitaare Zameen Par', a spiritual sequel to 'Taare Zameen Par', is set to release soon but is facing challenges with slow advance bookings. With only Rs 1 crore in pre-sales, the film is struggling to match the performance of Aamir's previous work. Despite a late start in bookings due to certification delays, industry experts remain optimistic about its potential for growth through positive word of mouth. Directed by RS Prasanna, the film features a cast of new actors and focuses on specially abled children. Will it overcome its initial hurdles and succeed at the box office?

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 19, 2025, 13:57 IST

Aamir Khan's Anticipated Film Sitaare Zameen Par

Aamir Khan is preparing for his eagerly awaited comeback with 'Sitaare Zameen Par', a spiritual sequel to his iconic 2007 film 'Taare Zameen Par'. This new movie centers on children with special needs, featuring Aamir in the role of a basketball coach. Scheduled for release on Friday, June 20, the film has experienced a sluggish beginning at the box office, with disappointing advance ticket sales.

As per industry analysis from Sacnilk, the advance bookings for the film reached just over Rs 1 crore by Thursday morning, a mere day before its release. This figure is significantly lower than Aamir's last film, 'Laal Singh Chaddha', which had achieved Rs 5.52 crore in advance sales, despite its own lackluster performance at the box office.

The film encountered an unexpected setback prior to its launch when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) requested two cuts, which Aamir initially resisted, emphasizing the project's creative integrity. Nevertheless, the film eventually received clearance from the CBFC. Insiders suggest that the delay in certification contributed to the late start of advance bookings, which only commenced late Tuesday night.

Currently, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is lagging behind other films set to release in 2025, such as 'Jaat', which has reported over Rs 2.37 crore in advance bookings, while 'Kesari Chapter 2' stands at Rs 1.84 crore. Although there is potential for 'Sitaare Zameen Par' to catch up with a last-minute surge, it faces tough competition from Salman Khan's 'Sikandar', which has already surpassed Rs 10.09 crore, and Akshay Kumar's 'Housefull 5', which opened with an impressive Rs 8.02 crore.

Film trade expert Atul Mohan remains hopeful, stating, "Aamir Khan's films, except for 'Thugs of Hindostan' and 'Dhoom 3', typically start slow but gain momentum through positive word of mouth. Those two were mass appeal films, unlike 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. I believe the film can still perform well after a slow start if it garners favorable reviews."

Aamir also turned down a substantial offer of Rs 120 crore from Amazon Prime Video for the film's OTT rights. Analysts warn that if the film does not attract a significant audience in theaters, Aamir could face a loss of Rs 120 crore.

Directed by RS Prasanna, the film features Genelia D’Souza and introduces ten new actors portraying specially abled characters, and is a remake of the Spanish film 'Campeones'.