Aamir Khan on tough run of all film industries at box office: Take the decision, don't come to OTT before six months
With the release of his film Sitaare Zameen Par recently Aamir Khan has shut down the voices of those predicting Bollywood's doomsday. Aamir Khan
The actor candidly opens up about sticking to his guns for its release on the next episode of the weekly show, The Right Angle with Sonal Kalra.
The episode drops today at 7pm across Hindustan Times' YouTube channels. Excerpts: Aamir, you have been called the man of the moment...
Right now, I am just relieved! Is it a relief because Bollywood has been having a tough run lately?
Not just Bollywood, every language is; don't count the top hits like say, Pathaan, Jawan (both 2023) or Pushpa (2021), whether it's in the south or Hindi films. I am including Hollywood — this exists all over the world. Relief and happiness is what one has been hoping for in Bollywood, and you have spearheaded that. Lovely compliments are coming your way for Sitaare Zameen Par. What did Gauri (Spratt, girlfriend) say the moment she finished watching it?
Itna pyaar mil raha hai iss film ko, people have fallen in love with it. They feel so happy when watching it. Gauri has really loved the film. She has been confident from the beginning. One has been hoping that theatrical viewing finds its mojo again... many are wondering why people don't want to come to theatres for films, isn't it?
The quality of cinema hasn't changed in the last three to four years. Jaisi filmein 10 saal ya 8 saal pehle bann rahi thi, quality abhi bhi wahi hai. Kuch achchi hoti thi pehle, kuch buri. The difference is, earlier, films would come to OTT six months after release. If you give me an offer — come to theatres ya free mein ghar par dekho, main kahan dekhunga? World over, film industry ke log sar kyun khujla rahe hain, mujhe samajh nahin aa raha.
Simple solution hai: if people want us to return to square one, studios and producers will have to insist, 'We won't sell to OTT before six months.' Phir dekhiye dhandha kaise badalta hai. OTTs zyada paisa de rahe hain, ek safety crutch mil raha hai producers ko. Koi risk nahin lena chah raha hai.
Also read: Sitaare Zameen Par movie review: Aamir Khan's heartwarming film stumbles, then soars to score a basket in the 2nd half Are you hopeful that other producers will be able to sustain the risk you have taken?
We have to decide for ourselves. I have made it very clear to my audience: I will stick to the old pattern of releases. OTTs have given me healthy offers to bring the film out within two months of its theatrical release. Woh mujhe manzoor nahin. For me, OTT is no longer an option as a producer. Every producer has to do this — if things need to change, mere akele se cheezein nahin badlengi. Haan, mere liye badal jaayengi, but industry ke liye karna hai toh industry ko step lena padhega. You have always stayed under the radar, but several people feels Aamir only comes out of hibernation when he has a film releasing...
Very true. I am a creative person, I get lost in my work. Main film banaun ya interview doon? Sachin Tendulkar ko aap pitch par bolte ho kya 'Interview do, batting baad mein karo'? Mujhe kaam toh karne do! Uska risk yeh hai ki jab koi newsy cheez aati hai — you aren't on social media — you are giving people freeway to create the perception they want.
Woh galat hai, I should correct that. People make false allegations and I keep quiet because I think my audience knows me, so farak nahin padhega. I am not a talkative person. While making a film, I am not available often to my family, too. At that time, I'm not thinking of interviews.
As a journalist, I wouldn't disturb anyone in creative work. Zahir hai, jab film aayegi, main baat karna chahunga. Mera audience ke sath gehra rishta hai.
Main har jagah ja ke bolunga, 'Meri film dekho'. Isme galat kya hai? Aap mujhse kyun complain kar rahe ho!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Diljit Dosanjh REMOVED From Border 2, Ammy Virk To Replace Him?
Last Updated: Diljit Dosanjh faces backlash for casting Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in Sardaar Ji 3, leading to calls for his removal from Border 2. Is Ammy Virk replacing him? Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh is facing the heat for casting Pakistani actor Hania Aamir in his upcoming movie, Sardaar Ji 3. The film will skip release in India, but is slated for release outside the domestic market, including Pakistan. Amidst all this, film bodies are writing to filmmakers, producers, and actors, urging them to drop him from upcoming Hindi releases – the most recent being Border 2. Reportedly, the actor's casting in the film is on shaky grounds amid mounting requests to remove him from the project. Rumours are rife that popular Punjabi singer-actor Ammy Virk might replace him in the film. A source close to Border 2 production told TOI, 'Diljit has only filmed 3–4 scenes so far. The makers are considering replacing him, as it's still early enough to reshoot those portions without much hassle. The team is handling the situation directly, and Ammy Virk's name has come up during internal discussions." With the controversy gaining momentum, insiders suggest that Ammy Virk has now emerged as the top contender to step in. However, repeated attempts to reach out to the film's producer, Nidhi Dutta, went unanswered at the time of publishing. Representatives for both Diljit and Ammy also declined to comment on the matter. However, according to another piece of information obtained by Hindustan Times, there are no current plans to replace Diljit from Border 2. A highly-placed source close to the production said, 'There is no plan to replace or remove Diljit from Border 2. His casting was confirmed nearly nine months ago, long before the recent unfortunate incidents. Nearly half the film has already been shot, and any replacement at this stage would be logistically unfeasible." FWICE writes a letter to Sunny Deol In their letter to Border 2 lead actor Sunny Deol, FWICE wrote, 'We write to you with the deepest respect and admiration for your longstanding service to both the lndian film industry and the nation. Your portrayal of valiant soldiers and national heroes in iconic films Iike Border, Gadar, and lndian has not only entertained but profoundly inspired generations. Your commitment as a public representative further stands as a testament to your patriotic values and unwavering dedication to the country. It is in this light that we express our grave concern regarding your association with Mr. Diljit Dosanjh. in the forthcoming film Border 2. Mr. Dosanjh's recent professional choice to cast Pakistani actress Hania Aamir-who has openly posted anti-lndia content on her social media platforms, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack-has deeply disturbed the sentiments of our industry and the wider national community." It further read, 'The Pahalgam massacre, where innocent civilians, including children, were mercilessly targeted, has left the nation in mourning. While every lndian stands in solidarity against such acts of terror, the decision by Mr. Dosanjh to collaborate with an artist from the very country that continues to breed such violence reflects a shocking disregard for national sentiment. This act violates the directives issued bythe Ministry of Information & Broadcasting as well as the standing resolutions of FWICE, which clearly oppose working with Pakistani nationals in any capacity. Your esteemed presence in a film titled Border 2, which symbolizes national pride and sacrifice, alongside someone who has chosen professional ambition over pattiotism, sends a conflicting and distressing message to the very public that has always viewed you as a symbol of nationalism." 'On behalf of scores of members of our federation and stakeholders across the lndian film industry, we sincerely appeal to you to reconsider your association with Mr. Dosanjh for this project. We are confident that the values you have always uphel d-both on screen and off-will guide you to take a stand in line with the nation,s sentiments. Your decision to disassociate from this collaboration will reaffirm your enduring image as a true patriot and will send a strong message that national interest will always come before individual pursuits." Diljit Dosanjh's response to Sardaarji 3 controversy Diljit Dosanjh recently broke his silence on the controversy and Hania Aamir's casting in the film that was done months before the Pahalgam attack in April. Speaking to BBC Asian Network, the singer said that the project was completed before any of the current political tensions surfaced. 'Jab yeh film bani thi tab situation sab theek tha. We shot this in Feb and then everything was fine. Uske baad, bhut saari badi cheezen humare haath mein nahi hai. Toh producers ne decide kiya ki film obviously ab India toh nahi lagegi, toh overseas release karte hain. Toh producers ka bahut paisa laga hua hai aur jab yeh film bann rahi thi tab aisa kuch tha nahi," he said, adding that the makers are aware they will incur losses. 'Now the situation is not in our hands. So if the producers want to release it abroad, I support them." Meanwhile, the shooting of Border 2 is currently underway in Pune. First Published: June 27, 2025, 16:13 IST
News18
32 minutes ago
- News18
Genelia D'Souza Thanks President Droupadi Murmu For Watching Sitaare Zameen Par: 'Honoured'
Genelia Deshmukh shared a heartfelt moment from her visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she met President Droupadi Murmu, who praised the cast and crew of Sitaare Zameen Par. Genelia Deshmukh recently shared a heartfelt moment from her visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan, where she met the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The actress expressed her gratitude as the President took the time to watch Sitaare Zameen Par, and even shared her kind words with the cast and crew. In her post, Genelia wrote how much the encouragement and presence of the President meant to them, calling it 'a blessing we will carry with us always." The pictures featured Genelia in a soft white floral kurta set, looking radiant and graceful as she stood beside the President and her Sitaare Zameen Par team, including actor Aamir Khan and director R. S. Prasanna. The film team greeted the President with folded hands and smiles, marking a truly proud moment for the crew behind the film. Actor and filmmaker Aamir Khan was also present at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The official social media handle of the President shared a photo of the meeting, writing: 'Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Shri Aamir Khan called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan." In the photo, Aamir is seen smiling, dressed in a white kurta and jeans, as he poses with the President. The actors were in New Delhi for a special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par, a film that highlights inclusion and celebrates the talents of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The screening was hosted by Special Olympics Bharat as part of their ongoing efforts to promote awareness and acceptance. Directed by RS Prasanna and written by Divy Nidhi Sharma, Sitaare Zameen Par features a fresh ensemble cast including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. Genelia D'Souza plays Aamir's wife in the film. First Published:
Economic Times
32 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Aamir Khan and Gauri Spratt host President Droupadi Murmu at Sitaare Zameen Par screening with neurodivergent cast
President Droupadi Murmu attended a special screening of Aamir Khan's film Sitaare Zameen Par at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. The film, which features neurodivergent debutant actors, was praised by the President for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, and Gauri Spratt were present at the event, which included heartfelt interactions with the cast and a special memento presentation to the President. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Celebrating Diversity Through Cinema Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Story Told with Sensitivity and Empathy A special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi on June 24, 2025. The screening was graced by the Honourable President of India, Droupadi Murmu , who watched the film in the presence of actor-producer Aamir Khan , his partner Gauri Spratt, co-star Genelia Deshmukh, and the debutant actors of the shared by Aamir Khan Productions gave a warm glimpse into the evening, capturing candid moments of the President interacting with the cast and crew. The official statement expressed gratitude towards President Murmu, highlighting her kind hospitality and the appreciation she showed for the film's message and the screening, the President's office shared on social media that Sitaare Zameen Par showcases the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The post acknowledged the film's cast—featuring real-life neurodivergent individuals—and emphasized how the story conveys important themes in a heartfelt way. The film's lead actor Aamir Khan, who plays a basketball coach, and the rest of the team were present during the the same day, Aamir Khan had also called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a moment that was documented in an official photograph shared by her by R.S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par brings together a cast of ten neurodivergent debutants—Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. The film has been praised for its heartfelt narrative and socially relevant message. Within five days of release, it has grossed over Rs 75 crore at the box have appreciated the film for maintaining a balance between entertainment and awareness. Reviews note that the film educates the audience about intellectual disabilities (ID) while keeping the tone uplifting. The Times of India rated it 3.5 out of 5, commending its ability to communicate that individuals with ID are not only employable and independent but also compassionate and full of from the event captured several emotional highlights, including President Murmu engaging in friendly exchanges with the young debutant actors and conversing with Genelia Deshmukh, who appeared in a traditional off-white outfit. In another touching moment, Gauri Spratt presented a memento to the President on behalf of the team.
