Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde recently attended a special screening of Aamir Khan's new film, Sitaare Zameen Par, and lauded the movie for its sensitive portrayal of children with learning disabilities. The screening, hosted by Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, was also attended by Aamir Khan. Shinde praised the film for addressing an important topic with sensitivity and emotion.
Sitaare Zameen Par, released on June 20, 2025, is described as a spiritual successor to Aamir Khan's 2007 film Taare Zameen Par. However, unlike the earlier film, which focused on dyslexia, Sitaare Zameen Par centers on a disgraced basketball coach who is assigned community service, training a team of players with disabilities for a tournament. The film is a remake of the 2018 Spanish hit, Champions. It stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in leading roles, along with ten rising stars. The movie is directed by R. S. Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit.
Shinde assured that the Maharashtra government would extend full support to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He stated that "Special children are not different from others in their right to education," and affirmed the Maharashtra government's commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure their integration into mainstream schools. Shinde added that decisions would be positively considered at the BMC level if needed.
Aamir Khan spoke about the film’s message and his hopes for the future of special education in India. He expressed concern about the segregation of neurodivergent children, explaining that separating them from a young age leads to losses for both the special child and so-called "normal" children. He shared his dream that eventually, there should be no need for special schools in the country, and all children should study together in regular schools, which he believes is where real inclusion in society will begin. Khan emphasized that Sitaare Zameen Par was made to foster empathy and understanding, offering a different perspective on how these individuals live and see the world.
Khan also shared his experience working with the neurodivergent actors in the film, saying it was just as easy, maybe even less effort than working with other actors. He noted that the children had no ego, were always on time, happy, and excited to work, making it a learning experience for the entire team.
Prior to the Mumbai screening, a special screening was held in Delhi, where Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also praised the film. Tharoor described it as an emotional and heartwarming movie that teaches a lot, commending Aamir Khan's performance and the film's well-written story. He also noted the film's impact on the audience, sharing that many ambassadors and a Lok Sabha staff member with his physically challenged daughter expressed their happiness after watching the film. Aamir Khan was reportedly moved to tears by the sight of the staff member's daughter smiling while watching the movie.
Sitaare Zameen Par continues Aamir Khan's tradition of using cinema to spark important conversations. With its blend of sports, comedy, and social awareness, the film offers entertainment and promotes a message of acceptance and perseverance.
