Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has taken a revolutionary step in film distribution by launching his latest movie Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively on YouTube through a pay-per-view model.
The film, a spiritual sequel to his critically acclaimed 2007 release Taare Zameen Par, is now available for INR 100 on his newly launched YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies. The initiative also includes the digital release of films under Aamir Khan Productions and several titles produced by his father, Tahir Hussain.
Describing the venture as his “private cinema chain,” Aamir emphasized that his goal is to democratize access to cinema by leveraging India’s increasing internet and UPI penetration. “This is like opening a cinema chain that exists in every house and every pocket,” he said, highlighting the potential of YouTube’s widespread availability to bridge the gap between filmmakers and underserved audiences.
Rejecting lucrative offers from OTT platforms, Aamir said he chose the pay-per-view model to directly engage with audiences. “I was offered Rs 100-125 crore by streamers, but I’d rather earn Rs 100 from my audience. That’s more valuable to me,” he stated. The actor believes this digital-first approach can be a gamechanger, allowing creative professionals to bypass restrictive distribution channels and freely tell impactful stories.
The film will stream in 38 countries with localized pricing, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Aamir emphasized that this format mirrors the traditional theatre experience — paying for a single viewing — but in a far more accessible, digital format.
Acknowledging that cinema halls in India cater to just 2–3% of the population due to limited infrastructure and rising ticket prices, he argued that this new model enables inclusive, affordable viewing. “In a country of 140 crore, even the most successful films barely reach 3.5 crore viewers in theatres,” he noted, adding that multiplexes often exclude the economically disadvantaged due to high costs.
With YouTube pre-installed on most devices and digital payments becoming increasingly common, Aamir believes the timing is perfect. “The environment is now right — from internet access to payment systems — to take cinema directly to the people,” he said.
Directed by R. S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par follows a reluctant basketball coach (played by Aamir) who mentors 10 neurodivergent individuals. A remake of the Spanish film Champions, the movie focuses on inclusion, empathy, and acceptance.
The actor said working with the cast was a deeply personal experience that inspired him to create a documentary on their lives, currently in production.
“The real stars are their parents,” Aamir said emotionally. “They’ve made incredible sacrifices. I want to bring their stories and struggles to a broader audience. We will all learn something from them.” The upcoming documentary will explore the actors’ personal journeys, family lives, and the societal challenges they face.
With this bold new venture, Aamir Khan is not just releasing a film — he’s launching a potential revolution in Indian film distribution.
