Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has lauded Aamir Khan for his commitment to preserving and elevating Hindi cinema, particularly praising his decision to release his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, exclusively in theaters for a six-month period before any OTT release. Ghai expressed his admiration on social media, acknowledging Khan's respect for the "big screen experience" and the theatrical business.
Ghai took to Instagram to share his thoughts, posting a photo of Aamir Khan with his Sitaare Zameen Par co-stars. His caption read, "Dear Aamir. You have done it again to bring dignity to Hindi cinema with your heartwarming film in cinema halls n pledging not to show it on small screen for six months". He further added, "M glad that all India exhibitors honoured you as a brave film maker yesterday for respecting the business of big screens theatres too. Congratulations n blessings".
Aamir Khan's choice to prioritize theatrical release for Sitaare Zameen Par has been well-received by the film industry, especially exhibitors. The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) also applauded Khan's decision, with President Kamal Gianchandani emphasizing his audience-first approach. Gianchandani stated that Khan's decision was "a significant show of confidence in theatres and the shared magic of the moviegoing experience". MAI also conveyed their gratitude to Aamir Khan for standing by the theatres. Aamir Khan Productions reciprocated the sentiment, expressing their gratitude for the support from MAI.
Sitaare Zameen Par reportedly tells the story of a basketball coach, played by Aamir Khan, and his team of 10 neurodivergent players. The film is directed by RS Prasanna and is said to be a remake of the Spanish film Champions.
This move to release Sitaare Zameen Par in theaters first bucks the trend of many films releasing quickly on streaming platforms. Reportedly, Aamir Khan even declined an offer of ₹120 crore from a streaming service to uphold this commitment. Industry voices, including Kamal Gianchandani, see this decision as a "real vote of confidence in watching movies together". Aamir Khan has been vocal about maintaining a proper gap between theatrical and OTT releases, believing it benefits both the quality of the film and the box office.
Interestingly, despite Aamir Khan's admiration for Subhash Ghai's work, he revealed in March 2025 that he had never been offered a film by the veteran director. During a conversation with Javed Akhtar, Khan expressed his desire to collaborate with Ghai, but the opportunity never materialized. Regardless, Ghai's recent praise highlights Aamir Khan's continued influence and dedication to Hindi cinema and the theatrical experience.
