Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par Premieres on YouTube for ₹100

Bollywood icon Aamir Khan has taken a daring step in film distribution by debuting his latest sports comedy‑drama, Sitaare Zameen Par, on YouTube via a pay‑per‑view model priced at just ₹100, beginning August 1, 2025. This release follows a successful theatrical run that began on June 20, 2025, and earned more than ₹267 crore globally. 

Produced by Aamir Khan Productions and directed by R.S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par is an official Indian remake of the Spanish film Champions. The narrative follows a basketball coach who trains players with intellectual disabilities for a national tournament, blending heartwarming comedy with social commentary. 

Aamir Khan has long championed accessible cinema. He launched his own YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies, as a platform to release his films, including classics like Lagaan and Taare Zameen Par for ₹100 after their theatrical windows. His aim is to reach audiences across India and globally, especially in regions underserved by traditional theatres, and empower independent filmmakers by offering greater visibility and revenue control. 

The novel pay‑per‑view approach has drawn praise from filmmakers such as Hansal Mehta, who called it “smart and creator‑friendly,” arguing that it restores agency and affordability to storytelling. Other outlets have noted that Aamir’s decision marks a significant revival of TVOD (Transactional Video on Demand) in India, which has largely been dominated by subscription and ad‑supported models. However, the launch wasn't without hiccups. Apple users reported being charged ₹179 instead of ₹100, a discrepancy tied to Apple's in‑app purchase commission policy. The production house has since apologized and advised users to rent via desktop or Android to avoid the surcharge. With YouTube boasting nearly 491 million monthly users in India, this release strategy could signal a shift in global film distribution.