
Sitaare Zameen Par Review: Aamir Khan's film pierces your soul's quietest corners
Plot
Gulshan Arora, played with quiet intensity by Aamir Khan, is an escapist. Period. But aren't we all, in some way? The film gently nudges us to confront our demons - the uncomfortable truth, our fears. At the heart of Sitaare Zameen Par lies Gulshan's journey - a basketball coach assigned to train a group of special children aiming to qualify for a championship. His journey with the team, woven with his personal life and everything that happens in between, forms the emotional core of the story. The film reminds you that sometimes, the real victory lies in showing up. And as for the ending? Let's just say - 'Ending is the new beginning.'
What Works
As the sequel to Taare Zameen Par, this film resonates deeply with the emotional undercurrents of today's society. Its strength lies in its relatability; every person seated in the theatre is bound to carry something home. The humor of Sitaare Zameen Par is subtle yet effective, and the background score seamlessly elevates key moments without overwhelming them. The dialogues are impactful without being preachy, striking a thoughtful balance.
A special mention to the casting director, who has thoughtfully chosen an ensemble that brings sincerity to the screen. The calming color palette makes the viewing experience gentle and immersive. Overall, Sitaare Zameen Par offers a rare moment of quiet reflection.
What Doesn't Work
Some films are better felt than analysed, and this is one of them. So, let's not get into its shortcomings.
A glimpse of Aamir Khan from the film
Performances
Aamir Khan returns with the emotional gravity we've come to expect, and yet, it still feels fresh. His portrayal of Gulshan is layered, restrained, and moving. Genelia Deshmukh, as his wife Suneeta, impresses with her subtle expressions and emotive presence.
The supporting cast shines with remarkable sincerity: Ashish Pendse (Sunil), Aroush Datta (Satbir), Aayush Bhansali (Lotus), Rishi Shahani (Sharma Ji), GopiKrishnan K Verma (Guddu), Rishabh Jain (Raju), Vedant Sharma (Bantu), Simran Mangeshkar (Golu), Samvit Desai (Kareem), and Naman Misra (Hargovind). It would be unfair to single anyone out; each performance adds depth and honesty to the narrative.
Dolly Ahluwalia Tewari, as Preeto (Gulshan's mother), delivers a heart-touching performance that stays with you. Gurpal Singh, as Kartar Paaji, is seamlessly enthralling.
Final Verdict
Sitaare Zameen Par changes your thoughts about normalcy, with grace. In a sea of thrillers and formula-driven blockbusters, this film arrives like a soothing balm to one's chaotic soul. like a quiet balm for the soul. Grab a box of tissues? I would like to leave it at - The ending isn't the ending. Need context? Come back to this line after you've watched the film.
Sitaare Zameen Par is running in theatres near you from Friday, June 20, 2025.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Sitaare Zameen Par' advance box office report Day 1: Aamir Khan's drama to open with Rs 6.88 crore; Trails behind ‘Laal Singh Chaddha'
Aamir Khan 's return to the big screen with Sitaare Zameen Par has generated considerable buzz, but early figures suggest a quiet opening compared to his previous films. The emotional drama, directed by R.S. Prasanna, has recorded advance booking sales of approximately Rs 6.88 crore for its opening day, according to These numbers fall short of expectations and well below the Rs 11.70 crore opening of Khan's 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha. According to data from industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has sold over 1.15 lakh tickets across 9,542 shows nationwide ahead of its theatrical release on June 20. The bulk of the earnings has come from the Hindi version, which accounts for Rs 3.18 crore through 9,037 shows and 1.03 lakh tickets. The Tamil version has contributed Rs 2.73 lakh across 163 shows, while the Telugu version brought in Rs 9.84 lakh from 342 shows. The total advance figures, including revenue from blocked seats, push the cumulative total to Rs 6.88 crore. Unconventional Release Strategy In a surprising move, the makers have adopted a staggered show format for release day. A revised communication sent to exhibitors earlier this week outlines strict scheduling restrictions for Friday, June 20. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Miles de familias están usando este calefactor para no pasar frío en casa EcoHeat Undo No shows are to be screened before 11 AM, and theatres are allowed a maximum of four screenings between 11 AM and 6 PM. Post 6 PM, normal screening schedules may resume. These guidelines, however, are limited to the release day alone — from Saturday, June 21, standard programming will be reinstated. The decision to delay early morning screenings and cap afternoon shows appears to be a strategic attempt to create controlled demand and concentrate audiences during peak hours. However, industry insiders believe this may have affected day-one revenue potential. Box Office Projections and Industry Response Trade analyst Taran Adarsh, in a statement to ETimes, commented that Sitaare Zameen Par may witness a slow start at the ticket windows but could pick up momentum with strong word-of-mouth. Still, the film's day-one earnings place it among Khan's lower openers in recent years. While Laal Singh Chaddha debuted at Rs 11.70 crore despite mixed reviews, Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to remain under Rs 8 crore for its opening day, even with late-hour screenings. Comparatively, Taare Zameen Par, Khan's 2007 directorial debut with a similarly emotional theme, opened at Rs 2.62 crore but went on to become a sleeper hit through strong word-of-mouth and critical acclaim. Whether Sitaare Zameen Par can mirror that long-tail success remains to be seen.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Sitaare Zameen Par director RS Prasanna isn't fazed by remake chatter around Aamir Khan film: Film will have the answers
Filmmaker RS Prasanna is returning to the big screen after an eight-year gap. His last release was Shubh Mangal Savdhaan back in 2017. The filmmaker has moved from telling the story of a man with erectile dysfunction to narrating the tale of an angry basketball coach training a team of special needs kids. His upcoming film, Sitaare Zameen Par, stars Aamir Khan in the lead, along with Genelia D'Souza and ten newcomers. (Also read: Aamir Khan is a legend who acts like a newcomer when newcomers act like legends: Sitaare Zameen Par director RS Prasanna) Sitaare Zameen Par's trailer was released over a month ago, garnering much love from the fans for its subject as well as Aamir's performance. A few, however, pointed out that the trailer was very similar to Hollywood film Champions, and the Spanish film Campeones, which inspired it. But the chatter around the remake and copy jibes does not bother Prasanna. "I just feel the film will have the answers. It is best for the director to talk through the film. As far as I am concerned, there is so much love for the film. I am consumed by that," he tells HT. When asked if he is not concerned by the discussions, Prasanna simply says, "I am just consumed by the love for the film." Earlier this month, Aamir also discussed the criticism of remakes while appearing on Raj Shamani's podcast. The actor said, "After Laal Singh (Chaddha), a lot of people told me, 'you are making a remake again'. Laal Singh was trolled heavily for being a remake. But I am a different kind of person. I don't understand practical things. I don't have any problem with a remake, and I don't feel my creativity is diminishing at all. For me, it is new work. Someone else made this story, and I am giving it my perspective." Laal Singh Chaddha, Aamir's previous film, was also a remake, being the official adaptation of Forrest Gump. Aamir further defended film remakes by equating them with theatrical adaptations of William Shakespeare's plays, calling the discussion on remakes 'useless'. Apart from Aamir, Sitaare Zameen Par also stars 10 newcomers, all actors with intellectual disabilities, who play his proteges. Talking about the challenges and rewards of directing them, Prasanna says, "You don't climb Mount Everest because it's easy. You do it for the glory. You love the adrenaline rush. In the 10 sitaare we have cast, all we were looking for was that keeda (itch) to act. Everything else can be taught. We created a mini acting school for them with acting workshops and clowning workshops, just as it is for any other new actor." Sitaare Zameen Par is a spiritual sequel to Aamir's 2007 film, Taare Zameen Par. The film also stars Genelia D'Souza in a pivotal role. The film is scheduled to release theatrically on 20 June.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Housefull 5' Box Office collection day 14: Akshay Kumar's film slows down as Aamir Khan's ‘Sitare Zameen Par' hits cinemas
After a smashing start at the box office, Akshay Kumar 's comic entertainer 'Housefull 5' has started to slow down as it enters its third week. The film, directed by Tarun Mansukhani , released on 6 June and made waves with its unique twist—two climaxes! But just as the buzz begins to settle, another big star is stepping into the spotlight, Aamir Khan , with his sports comedy 'Sitare Zameen Par', which releases today. According to early estimates by Sacnilk, Housefull 5 collected Rs 2.65 crore on day 14, taking its total box office collection in India to Rs 167.90 crore in 14 days. A good start for 'Housefull 5' There's no doubt that 'Housefull 5' began its run on a high. It collected a massive Rs 24 crore on day one itself. The film picked up even more over the weekend, earning Rs 31 crore on Saturday and Rs 32.5 crore on Sunday. This took its first-week total to a whopping Rs 127.25 crore. Day 1 (Friday): Rs 24 crore Day 2 (Saturday): Rs 31 crore Day 3 (Sunday): Rs 32.5 crore Day 4 (Monday): Rs 13 crore Day 5 (Tuesday): Rs 11.25 crore Day 6 (Wednesday): Rs 8.5 crore Day 7 (Thursday): Rs 7 crore Total for Week 1: Rs 127.25 crore In its second week, 'Housefull 5' began to see a drop in earnings. Still, it managed to pull in decent numbers across the week. Day 8 (Friday): Rs 6 crore Day 9 (Saturday): Rs 9.5 crore Day 10 (Sunday): Rs 11.5 crore Day 11 (Monday): Rs 3.75 crore Day 12 (Tuesday): Rs 4.25 crore Day 13 (Wednesday): Rs 3 crore Day 14 (Thursday): Rs 2.65 crore (early estimate) Total collection after 14 days: Rs 167.90 crore Aamir Khan arrives with 'Sitare Zameen Par' But now, the comedy film faces a new test. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Aamir Khan's 'Sitare Zameen Par' hits the big screen today, 20 June. As 'Housefull 5' continues its third week, Aamir's new film could take a share of the audience. The advance bookings for 'Sitare Zameen Par' show promise. As per early numbers by Sacnilk, the film has already sold thousands of tickets across the country. The advance booking numbers for Aamir Khan's 'Sitare Zameen Par' look promising. In Hindi (2D), the film has earned Rs 3.18 crore from 1,03,866 tickets across 9,037 shows. The Tamil version collected Rs 2.73 lakh from 2,149 tickets across 163 shows, while the Telugu version made Rs 9.84 lakh from 9,308 tickets across 342 shows. In total, the film has earned Rs 3.31 crore in advance bookings across India, covering a massive 9,542 shows nationwide. With such a wide release and solid bookings, the film is set for a strong start. And this could mean tougher days ahead for 'Housefull 5' at the ticket windows. Chitrangda Singh Defends 'Housefull 5' Amid Plagiarism Claims & Cringe Comedy Backlash