Aamir Khan hosts special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par for President Murmu
Actor Aamir Khan recently met the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He hosted a special screening of his sports drama 'Sitaare Zameen Par'.The official handle of President Murmu shared a picture with Khan from the screening. The caption read, "Acclaimed filmmaker and actor Shri Aamir Khan called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan."
Aamir Khan met President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. (Credit: X/rashtrapatibhvn)
advertisement'Sitaare Zameen Par' is a spiritual successor of Khan's 2007 film 'Taare Zameen Par'. The film's screening at Rashtrapati Bhavan marks yet another example of embracing art that fosters national dialogue and social understanding.The film also features Genelia Deshmukh alongside the acting debuts of Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar.
'Sitaare Zameen Par' is directed by RS Prasanna, who had earlier directed 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan'. The film's screenplay is written by Divy Nidhi Sharma. It is a remake of the 2018 Spanish sports-drama 'Campeones'. The movie is co-produced by Khan, Aparna Purohit, B Shrinivas Rao and Ravi Bhagchandka.Khan plays a basketball coach to a team of neurodivergent people in the film. India Today, in its feature on 'Sitaare Zameen Par' also mentioned the feminist lens of the film. It read, "In a film that talks about inclusion, it's not just the neurodivergent people who find their place, it's also the women, written with grace, courage and, most importantly, the freedom to want more."advertisementKhan also played a pivotal role in 'Taare Zameen Par' which was also produced by him. The film marked his directorial debut. It reflected on the issue of dyslexia and its lack of awareness among parents and mentors. The film introduced then-child actor Darsheel Safary as the main lead.'Sitaare Zameen Par' was released in theatres on June 20, 2025.- EndsMust Watch
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India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Not just a James Beard winner, he's a flag-bearer of Tamil pride. Meet Chef Vijay Kumar
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In the West, for too long, Indian food has been relegated to being spicy and all about gravy - typically butter chicken, naan, or biryani. South Indian food? Menus mostly stop with idlis, dosas and sambar. That is the notion Chef Vijay Kumar wants to challenge and Semma, a Michelin-star restaurant, he is unapologetically serving bold Tamilian flavours in their most authentic form Nadu to New YorkChef Vijay Kumar hails from Natham in Tamil Nadu's Dindigul district. Engineering was once a dream, but turns out, fate was armed with spices and gunpowder for him. He completed his culinary schooling in India, worked for a few years, and, in his words, for a 'better opportunity, just like the rest of the immigrants,' he moved to the things are not always pre-planned, but that's the beauty of spontaneity. For Kumar, it was a chance conversation with his friends at Unapologetic Foods, about how there aren't enough South Indian restaurants in New York that led to the birth of Semma. 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You know, the music, the food, everything literally took me back to my memories back home,'' Kumar to politics: Challenges of a ChefSetting up a culture on foreign soil is not easy. It was definitely not easy a decade ago, compared to now. A chef puts their heart and soul into cooking every dish, and every ingredient is like a holy grail. For Kumar, the challenge began with finding the right curry leaves - and now, Alphonso says, 'It was hard to get curry leaves in the US like 10 years ago. It's impossible to get all the ingredients at all times as easily as it is in India because of all these USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) regulations. However, it has become way easier now.'But he still struggles to find the right kind of Alphonso mangoes. 'I have to make several calls, find the right vendor, because not many people understand how Alphonso is meant to taste."Political turmoil in the USAThe struggle and stress are not just limited to food. Being an immigrant in the USA currently is not without its anxieties. With rising political tensions in the country, a feeling of uncertainty looms large. But Kumar believes in taking life as it comes.'It's a matter of time. It'll go away. Life is all about ups and downs, right? I think we will just go through it. For me, just focus on what you do. You cannot control anything that's happening around you. One thing I want to do is -keep doing what you're doing.' Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (Photo: Paul McDonough) advertisementWhat's cooking next?Semma is a representation of one part of the Tamilian food heritage. Now, he wants to bring the street food of Chennai onto the menu. 'Who doesn't like street food? It's the tastiest! It's just funny that it hasn't taken centre stage yet,' he changes his menu in about three to four months so that as many customers are able to taste the cuisine. Now, he is planning to bring that street style on a asked if he has any plans to return to India, Kumar says he doesn't, at least for now. While he hopes to create something interesting there in the future, it won't be a replica of only thing diners seem to grumble about? 'It's so hard to get a reservation,' Kumar says with a when your food sparks nostalgia, curiosity, and headlines — who really expects an empty table on a Monday?- EndsTrending Reel
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Decoding Sitaare Zameen Par's no-OTT business model: Trendsetter or one-off flex?
Days leading up to 'Sitaare Zameen Par's' release, Aamir Khan was all over the news. While his return to cinemas after three years was a moment to celebrate, his bold decision to skip an OTT release made even bigger headlines. As per sources, the superstar refused offers of up to Rs 150 crore for selling digital rights as he wanted to revive cinemas and inculcate the love for big screens again among RS Prasanna-directed film, which sheds light on neurodivergent people, has already raked in Rs 66.65 crore nett in India in four days, giving a sense of hope to theatres once again. But is this really the start of a new trend, or is it a one-off flex, thanks to Aamir Khan's stardom? India Today spoke to industry insiders and trade experts to decode the business and success of 'Sitaare Zameen Par'.AAMIR KHAN BACK IN THE NUMBER GAMEGautam Dutta, CEO - Revenue and Operations, PVR INOX Ltd, called the response 'encouraging', sharing how the film saw an impressive 75 per cent occupancy for the majority of shows over the weekend. He added that there has been a 100 per cent jump, indicating how positive word-of-mouth and audience goodwill can draw audiences to cinemas. "This is especially significant because 'Sitaare Zameen Par' isn't a conventional commercial entertainer - it's a film that relies on its emotional depth rather than big-budget spectacle. The fact that audiences are making the effort to watch it in cinemas speaks volumes about the film's resonance," he said. advertisement Aamir Khan is finally enjoying sweet success after the failures of 'Laal Singh Chaddha' and 'Thugs of Hindostan'. When asked if he feels that the brand Aamir Khan is back, Dutta agreed, adding that the superstar has always stood out for his dedication to meaningful, emotionally resonant cinema. His decision to go cinema-only has revived confidence in the big screen as an essential cultural space. "The audience response so far makes it clear that viewers have welcomed him back wholeheartedly. This film, much like his past landmark projects, reminds us why Aamir Khan remains one of India's most trusted storytellers," he GAME WITH DIFFERENT RULESWhile the multiplexes, especially in top-tier cities, continue to celebrate packed houses, the single-screen owners have a different tale to tell. The response to 'Sitaare Zameen Par' has not been positive in smaller towns, which have gotten used to watching over-the-top drama and song and dance routines on the big Chauhan, owner of Roopbani Cinema in Purnia, Bihar, told India Today that 'Sitaare Zameen Par' has probably received one of the worst responses for an Aamir Khan film. He shared that while everyone's talking highly about 'Sitaare Zameen Par', an Aamir Khan film opening to just over Rs 10 crore is cause for concern. "It can be said that it was never meant for commercial space, but then you shouldn't be talking about box office, no?," he added that Aamir Khan has done a number of off-beat films, and they have opened much better. He reasoned that these films are no longer a viable theatrical commodity, especially post-Covid 19 pandemic. "What happened in Hollywood during the 2004-2008 phase is happening in India right now. After Netflix became big, top stars like Will Smith, Adam Sandler, and Tom Hanks lost relevance. Aamir, like Tom, has backed and believed in similar films. But he is fighting against the tide; the audience today is far bigger than an Aamir Khan. They are the rule makers, and you need to respect their choices and work for them," he OTTA lot has been said about Aamir Khan's decision to go cinema-only. The actor spoke about how he feels the 8-week window is too short for a film to live a full cycle in cinemas. Film distributor Akkshay Rathie called the move logical and also hailed the actor for communicating the message so clearly to his audience. He shared that even a Tom Cruise film takes around six months to drop on OTT, and hence it's only justified that Aamir took a cinema-only call. "The theatre business came under complete threat because of faster OTT releases. With this approach, the box office will see better and consistent business. I hope more stars follow suit, and we can see this as a trend," he Multiplex Association of India recently shared a statement applauding Aamir Khan's decision to release the film exclusively in cinemas. PVR's Gautam Dutta weighed in on the same, stating that while viewing habits are evolving rapidly, this move has come as a significant boost for exhibitors and reinforces the importance of cinema: "This model reminds both filmmakers and audiences of the unmatched joy of watching a story come alive on the big screen, surrounded by a community of fellow moviegoers. For us, this commitment not only drives healthy footfalls but also reaffirms the enduring value of theatres as a cultural hub for storytelling." A SKEWED VICTORY?The single-screen owners again disapprove of Aamir Khan's decision as Visekh feels the actor-producer got his "maths absolutely wrong". He shared that maximum viewing today happens at home, and it's a global phenomenon and not just India-centric. He added that if Aamir Khan said that he's coming only to theatres, it should have opened to Rs 100 crore, but that's simply not the Chuk Maaf' came on the digital platform in just two weeks, but it was still running to packed houses in my theatre. The public doesn't see the picture the way he's painting it. As a theatre owner, I firmly believe that OTT platforms are not my enemy; they're rather my greatest ally. Be it Yash in 'KGF', south stars like Allu Arjun and Vijay Deverakonda, they became household names because of digital mediums, which include YouTube. They adapted to these south films, and now they do good business at my theatres. Thanks to OTT, people are getting exposure to wider content, and can view it as many times as they want. The engagement has become higher," he CURIOUS CASE OF URBAN VS MASSESGiven how the film has been performing differently in different markets, it's safe to say that India no longer serves one kind of audience. Producer and film business analyst Girish Johar shared that today, business is on a film-to-film basis. "What is important is to know your target audience and whether they like it or not. Given that 'Sitaare Zameen Par' was having a tight release, it could have even skipped these cinemas. We are seeing a lull in the single screens, but that's because it is not doing anything for that audience. I feel the film will easily cross Rs 150 crore, which is great in today's time. Not every film, even with stars, can do Rs 300 crore, Rs 400 crore, or Rs 500 crore today. The fact that this is receiving love is a testimony to the fact that good content finds its way," Johar also stressed that it's not just a case of urban vs rural, but audiences with an urban mindset. He shared that even though 90 per cent of the business is coming from multiplexes, the audiences are people who have a better understanding of subjects like this. Akkshay Rathie said, "Aamir has largely become an urban star today. His last hit was 'Dhoom 3', which came over a decade ago, and that says a lot. However, to back such an important subject is also crucial. While it may not change, it does create awareness and makes society more conscious. And that, I think, is a bigger victory."While Vishek Chauhan maintains that the biggest health indicator of the movie industry is the biggest stars' opening and not their lifetime collection. He added that Aamir Khan has to rely on word-of-mouth, and that shows that there is a disconnect. "People are saying he's a non-actioner, but he's done 'PK' and 'Dangal' too, which did amazing business. One can't cater to just tier-one and make films for multiplexes in today's time. That will never revive cinemas. 'Pathaan', 'Jawan' or even 'Gadar 2' revived cinema halls because it catered to audiences of all spectres," he Dutta, on his part, mentioned that with a clear upward trend, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is well on its way to becoming a steady performer at the box office. He admitted that even when it's not designed as a typical commercial blockbuster, its emotional appeal and growing audience goodwill suggest that it will continue to draw viewers in the coming days.'Sitaare Zameen Par' is performing well in theatres.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
‘Had to hide in principal's cabin': Taare Zameen Par's Ishaan Awasthi recalls fame amid buzz over Sitare Zameen Par
Darsheel Safary , best known for playing the lovable Ishaan Awasthi in Taare Zameen Par , is all set to return to the screen with his latest project, Gamerlog . In an interview with Moneycontrol, Darsheel shared how life changed after his early success and what drew him to this new venture. Fame After Taare Zameen Par Was Overwhelming Darsheel became an overnight star after the release of Taare Zameen Par, but he admitted he was unprepared for the sudden attention. 'I couldn't even return to class after break—the entire school gathered around me,' he told Moneycontrol. The film was released on Friday and on his first Monday back at school, he had to hide in the principal's office due to the crowd of excited students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo Learning to Adjust to the Spotlight Initially, Darsheel found it hard to accept the changes fame brought. 'I was rebellious. I hated wearing a cap or goggles to hide,' he said to MoneyControl. But over time, he understood the importance of setting personal boundaries in public spaces. Slowly, he began embracing the experience, especially the unexpected conversations with strangers that helped him grow. Meaningful Interactions That Inspired Him As he matured, Darsheel found joy in meeting fans and hearing their personal stories. 'These conversations became emotional and helped me as an actor,' he said to MoneyControl. Even casual chats at airports left a lasting impression. 'I realised we're all one. Everyone has a story to tell, and that's beautiful.' Live Events Why He Took a Long Break from Acting Darsheel revealed that despite many offers, he took a step back from films due to self-doubt. 'I hadn't done any formal acting training. I wanted to wait for the right role and right story,' he said. Even though he gained experience in theatre and auditions, he was searching for something special. What Made Gamerlog the Right Comeback Darsheel said Gamerlog stood out because of the freshness of the concept and team. 'Everyone involved is starting out with a new energy, just like I did years ago. That excitement and love behind the project made me say yes,' he said, crediting the entire team, including producers Abhinay Deo, Neeta Shah, and his co-star Anjali Sivaraman. A New Chapter With New Confidence Now more confident and mature, Darsheel is excited about this new phase of his career. He hopes that Gamerlog will not only entertain but also reflect the passion behind its making.
