Aamir Khan recently made a nostalgic return to the village of Kotai in Bhuj, Gujarat, 25 years after filming his Oscar-nominated film 'Lagaan' there. The actor revisited the village for a special screening of his latest film, 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. This visit served as a reunion with the community that played a significant role in one of his most beloved projects.
Khan's visit underscores his commitment to making cinema accessible to people in all corners of India. During his interaction with the locals, Aamir emphasized the importance of bringing films to rural areas, highlighting the scarcity of cinema halls in those regions. "The cinema should reach these areas," he stated, expressing his desire for his new movie, 'Sitaare Zameen Par', to reach every village in the nation. He further added, "This is the first-ever screening in Kotai village. Such screenings should happen in every village. It was my wish to conduct the first screening in Kachchh. This is a historic place. I have so many memories and I felt very happy after revisiting it".
The screening was held in an open space with a makeshift shed, accommodating a large crowd of local villagers and schoolchildren. Aamir Khan joined the audience, sitting on the floor alongside them, as they enjoyed the movie together.
Khan has been troubled that only a small percentage of India's population watches films on the big screen. He realized that theaters have become an upper-class medium, with multiplex tickets costing upwards of 500 rupees, an amount that is unaffordable for many Indian families. He aims to change that and reach the other 97% of the population.
'Sitaare Zameen Par,' directed by Prasanna, was released in theaters on June 20 and is available on YouTube for a nominal fee of Rs 100. Khan has referred to YouTube as "Janta Ka Theatre," emphasizing the democratization of film access, particularly for audiences in rural and remote regions. The film is described as a spiritual sequel to 'Taare Zameen Par,' with Aamir playing a basketball coach who guides neurodivergent children.
Aamir's journey with 'Lagaan' wasn't without its initial doubts. He initially rejected the script. In an old interview, Aamir said that when he heard 'Lagaan', in five minutes of its narration, he rejected it. According to him, it was like a story of people who were not able to pay 'Lagaan' as there was no rain and they played cricket with British people. However, his parents convinced him to reconsider. He acknowledged the film was a significant risk, differing from mainstream Indian cinema at the time, and many doubted its potential. Despite the skepticism, Aamir trusted his instincts and the strength of the script.
Reflecting on 'Lagaan,' Aamir shared, "My memories of Lagaan got refreshed today". The film, set in 1893 in a small farming village in central India, was shot on location in Bhuj. Aamir produced the film himself after being inspired by the script.
Aamir's effort to bring 'Sitaare Zameen Par' to rural audiences reflects his broader vision for Indian cinema. By making the film available on YouTube at an affordable price, he hopes to reach a wider audience and promote accessible entertainment. "I wanted my new movie, 'Sitaare Zameen Par', to reach every village of the nation," he stated, reinforcing his commitment to meaningful storytelling that resonates with all Indians.
