The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final recently concluded with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeating Punjab Kings (PBKS) in a thrilling match. Amidst the excitement, Aamir Khan joined the Hindi commentary panel for a 20-minute stint as part of the promotion for his upcoming film, "Sitaare Zameen Par." However, his commentary skills and promotional tactics during the match have sparked mixed reactions, including criticism from Rahul Dholakia, the director of Shah Rukh Khan's "Raees."

Dholakia took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his opinion on Aamir Khan's commentary, posting, "Yaar picture ka promotion karo gyaam mat baato (Promote your film but don't sermonise). I want KOHLI to win this year and Zinta to win next year! Both these passionate people deserve to win- for their sheer persistence!" Although Dholakia didn't directly name Aamir Khan, the timing of the tweet led many to believe it was aimed at the actor's commentary during the IPL final. The director later deleted the tweet.

Aamir Khan's appearance in the commentary box saw varied responses from fans. Some praised his knowledge of the game, while others were critical of his perceived bias towards Virat Kohli and RCB. He lauded Kohli as a "perfectionist," a term often associated with Aamir himself, and suggested that winning the IPL would be a fitting end to Kohli's illustrious career. Some social media users even started a hashtag requesting Aamir Khan's removal from the Hindi commentary.

Dholakia's comment, though indirect, ignited a debate among fans. Some Aamir Khan supporters criticized Dholakia for taking a "cheap shot," while others questioned whether Dholakia and Shah Rukh Khan had also engaged in similar promotional tactics during the "Raees" campaign. One user wrote, "Gyaan baato, isn't that what you and SRK did the entire Raees promotions?".

This isn't the first time promotional activities by celebrities have come under scrutiny. Shah Rukh Khan himself faced legal trouble and public criticism during the promotion of "Raees" in 2017. A stampede at a railway station during a promotional event led to the death of a man, resulting in legal charges against the actor.

Aamir Khan's "Sitaare Zameen Par" is slated to release on June 20, 2025.