logo
Aamir Khan Breaks Silence On Sarfarosh Sequel, Says ‘Abhi Kaam Chal Raha Hai'

Aamir Khan Breaks Silence On Sarfarosh Sequel, Says ‘Abhi Kaam Chal Raha Hai'

News1806-06-2025
Last Updated:
Sarfarosh is directed by John Matthew Matthan and was both a commercial and critical success.
Aamir Khan has delivered several hits in his career and among them is Sarfarosh. The film still holds a special place in the hearts. And recently, the actor has finally confirmed that a sequel to his acclaimed 1999 film is in development. He revealed that work on Sarfarosh 2 has begun. Sonali Bendre was seen in the lead role.
Speaking at Bollywood Hungama Style Icons Summit, Aamir Khan confirmed Sarfarosh 2 is in making and also talk about sequels. 'Once you made a great film, you don't want to mess with them. Aap uska sequel tab karenge jab aapko aisa lage ki deserve to be. Vo feeling that you would like to do for any of the film. Like Andaaz Apna Apna, Sarfarosh. Sarfarosh 2 pe abhi kaam chal raha hai. Unless the script comes out really well, it is really unfair to go ahead," he was quoted saying
Sarfarosh is directed by John Matthew Matthan and was both a commercial and critical success. He played ACP Ajay Singh Rathod, an honest and tough Mumbai cop battling cross-border terrorism.
During a recent interaction at an event, Aamir Khan revealed he was not the first choice for Sitaare Zameen Par. Yes, you read that right! Aamir recently shared that he was so 'heartbroken' and 'emotionally battered' after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha, he decided to take a break and walked out of 'Sitaare Zameen Par,' which he was going to film next. However, he agreed to only produce the film. The film was then set to star Farhan Akhtar in the Hindi version and Sivakarthikeyan in the Tamil version. However, during script readings, Aamir felt deeply connected to the story again and decided he wanted to act in it after all!
'I told Prasanna (director) that I was depressed and hence, I needed a break. Prasanna got a heart attack (laughs) on hearing that. He was very understanding. He said, 'I understand what you are going through and emotionally, you don't feel like doing the film. But I request you to produce the film'. I agreed." He said that at the time, they had decided to make two versions of Sitaare Zameen Par- one in Hindi with Farhan Akhtar in the lead role, while Sivakarthikeyan was going to do the Tamil version. 'They loved the script and the dates were even worked out," shared Aamir.
Director R.S Prasanna, who had originally envisioned Aamir in the role, supported the switch, after which Aamir was cast again. Aamir then personally apologized to Farhan and Sivakarthikeyan, who were disappointed but understanding of his decision. Aamir said, 'He (Prasanna) told me, 'You are my original choice and as a director, I have been with you for 4 years. Now, when you are feeling like doing it, I can't let you down'. Badi himmat karke, I spoke to Farhan and Sivakarthikeyan and apologized to them. I honestly told them what had happened. They were disappointed but they understood my point. Farhan said, 'You have lived with the script for so long'."
Sitaare Zameen Par is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, with B. Shrinivas Rao and Ravi Bhagchandka as producers. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, the film will be released in theatres on 20th June, 2025.
First Published:
June 06, 2025, 15:55 IST
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

This web series has won 43 awards, based on true events, has an 8.8 IMDb rating, lead actors are..., series is...
This web series has won 43 awards, based on true events, has an 8.8 IMDb rating, lead actors are..., series is...

India.com

time35 minutes ago

  • India.com

This web series has won 43 awards, based on true events, has an 8.8 IMDb rating, lead actors are..., series is...

This series is among the highest-rated Hindi shows on IMDb, boasting a rating of 8.8. It has garnered a total of 43 awards, and the performances of the cast were highly praised. If you haven't watched it yet, make sure to do so right away. One Of The Most Finest Series On OTT The series we are talking about is Rocket Boys, which tells the true story of scientists Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai. The narrative unfolds during the pivotal decades of the 1940s to the 1960s in India, showcasing the country's journey towards becoming a strong, courageous, and independent nation. It highlights the early years of Independent India in the realm of science. With aspirations in their hearts and a vision in their minds, Dr. Homi J. Bhabha spearheaded India's Nuclear Programme, while Dr. Vikram Sarabhai laid the foundation for the Indian Space Programme and various other institutions. The Positive Reception And Accolades For Rocket Boys This series consists of 16 episodes spread across two seasons. Key roles were played by Jim Sarbh, Ishwak Singh, Regina Cassandra, Saba Azad, Divyendu Bhattacharya, and Rajit Kapoor. According to IMDb, the series has won 43 awards, encompassing both minor and major accolades. It received the Best Web Series award from the Indian Television Academy. Abhay Pannu and Kausar Munir were honored with the ITA Award for Best Dialogue. Jim Sarbh won the ITA Award for Best Actor, and the series also received awards for Best Story, Best Editing, Best VFX, and Best Director. More About Rocket Boys Additionally, Jim Sarbh was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke International Award for Best Actor. The series won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay, and Abhay Pannu was recognized with the Filmfare Award for Best Director. It also received the Filmfare Award for Best Web Series (Popular Award). The theme, soundtrack, and score for both seasons were composed by Achint Thakkar, who gained recognition from Hansal Mehta's Scam 1992. Both series are currently streaming on Sony-LIV

Sitaare Zameen Par Actor Aroush Datta Officially Recognized By Influencer Book Of World Records
Sitaare Zameen Par Actor Aroush Datta Officially Recognized By Influencer Book Of World Records

India.com

timean hour ago

  • India.com

Sitaare Zameen Par Actor Aroush Datta Officially Recognized By Influencer Book Of World Records

New Delhi: Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 superhit Taare Zameen Par, is indeed ruling the hearts of the audience. The film is not only gaining huge appreciation but is also witnessing exceptional growth at the box office. Amidst its successful theatrical run, a Sitaara Aroush Datta, from the film is shining bright and has been officially recognized by the Influencer Book of World Records. Yes you read it right! Aroush Datta, who plays Satbir in Sitaare Zameen Par, has been officially recognized by the Influencer Book of World Records for his remarkable achievements as a motivational influencer, actor, and writer. He is indeed a rising star in cinema and a voice for the neurodiverse and special needs community. While celebrating this achievement, Aamir Khan Productions took to their social media and shared the poster of Aroush's recognition, reacting. Take A Look At The Post: Aamir Khan Productions proudly presents 10 rising stars: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, who previously helmed the barrier-breaking blockbuster Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, now returns with the biggest collaboration with Aamir Khan Productions' Sitaare Zameen Par. Made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions, Sitaare Zameen Par stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles along with the 10 rising stars. The lyrics are penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and music is composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The screenplay is written By Divy Nidhi Sharma. The film is produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, with B. Shrinivas Rao and Ravi Bhagchandka as producers. Directed by R. S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par is now released in theatres on 20th June, 2025.

Indian OTT platforms continue to expand, but on smaller scale with low risk
Indian OTT platforms continue to expand, but on smaller scale with low risk

Business Standard

time2 hours ago

  • Business Standard

Indian OTT platforms continue to expand, but on smaller scale with low risk

Indian media and entertainment companies continue to rely on their streaming segments, but at a cautious pace—focusing on profitability and limiting financial risk. Major players with pan-India audiences, such as Zee Entertainment Enterprises' (ZEEL) ZEE5 and Balaji Telefilms-backed ALTT, have reduced operational costs over the years and rebranded their over-the-top (OTT) platforms. While the OTT industry broadly aims to cut costs, media analysts and executives note that this trend is more prominent among platforms launched by Indian companies, which cannot match the spending capacity of global giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. The only notable exception is Reliance Industries-backed JioHotstar. 'OTT platforms have been present in India for the last 10 to 15 years… Even the most lenient investors would like to see some return right now,' said a media analyst, on the condition of anonymity. In FY25, ZEE5 recorded an EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) loss of Rs 550 crore, down from Rs 1,110 crore in FY24. This reduction was largely achieved through cost-cutting measures. In an investor presentation, ZEEL stated it aims to break even on ZEE5 from an EBITDA loss of Rs 548 crore (excluding network costs) in FY25, and is now positioned to become a leading and profitable OTT player, having completed its recent investment cycle. ALTT, meanwhile, has consciously scaled down operations, said Sanjay Dwivedi, group chief executive officer and chief financial officer, Balaji Telefilms. The company was burning Rs 145 crore annually to sustain the segment, which was unsustainable. 'As a result, we cut down on cost and reworked our strategy. We want to be Thums Up to Coke... Netflix and Prime Video will exist, and we will exist in a smaller way—we don't want to burn cash,' he said. According to Vivek Menon, managing partner at NV Capital, a media and entertainment fund, this shift is more visible among pan-India streaming platforms—particularly those buying content from Bollywood and the Tamil and Telugu markets, where content costs are higher. He added that OTT adoption only truly accelerated post-COVID, so the business is still in cash burn mode to build a subscriber base and requires a long, patient approach. 'It is a tough game right now for Indian players because the industry is still in the growth stage. The audience has enough free alternatives to consume content. Also, a streaming platform needs massive pockets to succeed,' the analyst said. Shemaroo Entertainment's Gujarati-focused platform ShemarooMe is 'on the road to profitability and viability,' according to Saurabh Srivastava, chief operating officer, digital business, Shemaroo Entertainment. Srivastava noted that the company saw high double-digit revenue growth in Q1 FY26, and will continue investing in its streaming platform. He said the industry is learning to rationalise operational costs and push for higher returns on investment. The subscriber base also grew by a high double-digit percentage year-on-year in Q1 FY26. Meanwhile, Hoichoi—a subscription-based video-on-demand (SVOD) platform focused on Bengali-language content—achieved cash breakeven in FY24. The platform currently hosts close to 200 original web series. 'As a production house creating Bengali films and TV for 30 years, transitioning to web content was a natural evolution,' said Vishnu Mohta, co-founder, Hoichoi. 'We focused deeply on one language—Bengali—and on serving that audience consistently. Over 60 per cent of our total expenses go into content creation. That's intentional. Unlike many platforms that spend heavily on marketing even when unit economics don't work, we've always aimed to keep marketing spends below 30 per cent of direct revenue.' He added that this approach—combined with strong intellectual property (IP) creation and organic subscriber growth—has kept the company profitable over the last few years and cash-flow positive for the past couple. Just as Balaji Telefilms expects its digital business to grow, Mohta noted that Hoichoi is considered a core business for its parent company. Media executives and analysts broadly agree that the OTT industry continues to grow, with each platform finding its niche. With several sub-segments still underserved, there is ample room for differentiated growth. 'Moving forward, it looks like most networks have a grasp on how the OTT model works and how one can monetise through subscriptions and advertising. The fact that ZEE5 is completely rebranding itself shows that investment in the sector will continue,' Menon said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store