Latest news with #SZP
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan Says People Don't Just Go To Theatres For Action Films: ‘Saiyaara Wouldn't Have…'
Aamir Khan challenged the notion that people only want to watch action films in theatres, stating that Saiyaara and Sitaare Zameen Par wouldn't have succeeded if that were true. Bollywood actor Aamir Khan recently spoke about the need for more theatres in India. He also addressed the prevailing notion that audiences are only interested in watching action films on the big screen. However, that isn't true. He said if that were the case, movies such as Saiyaara and Sitaare Zameen Par would not have performed well at the box office. Aamir believes that people will watch a good film in theatre regardless of the genre. He also recalled how people warned him about doing Ghajini at a time when the action thriller genre was not working. However, contrary to people's belief, the film worked! While speaking with ETimes, Aamir Khan said, 'I believe that we need theatres in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The tier-2 cities have theatres, but as we go deeper, we don't. I also feel that it's not that people want to watch only action films in theatres that was the feeling for some time. If that were the case, SZP wouldn't have done well, and Saiyaara wouldn't have been such a success. These are phases that keep coming and going. When I did Ghajini, everyone told me that you are doing an action film at a time when this genre was not working. It worked. I think audiences are interested in watching films irrespective of the genre." Aamir also said that he hopes and believes that the theatrical business will start thriving again, and that the theatrical experience cannot be replaced by anything else. 'When you are sitting in that dark space with 300 people around you, it's a group experience where you laugh and cheer together. Imagine watching Lagaan, where the whole theatre is cheering… abhi woh experience aapko ghar pe baithke apne family ke saath bhi nahin milega. I am loyal to cinema first, and then to theatres, clearly in that order," he said. For the unversed, Ahaaan Panday and Aneet Padda starrer Saiyaara is rulig the box office currently. The film collected a whopping Rs 318.50 crore net in India in the first 24 days, and approximately Rs 531 crore in worldwide collection! Meanwhile, Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh starrer 'Sitaare Zameen Par' was released in theatrs on June 20, 2025. After making Rs 276 crore worldwide, Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par is currently available on YouTube for Rs 100 per view. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
EXCLUSIVE! Aamir Khan: I am loyal to cinema first, and then to theatres
Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan Aamir Khan 1 2 Breaking the mould is second nature to him. Now, in a bold move that challenges the norms of a largely risk-averse industry, Aamir Khan has chosen the pay-per-view model on his YouTube channel for his latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par (SZP) , which had released in theatres in June. This aligns with his decades-long pattern of being a disruptor – as an actor and filmmaker. In this freewheeling conversation with us, the superstar talks about access, affordability and the future of cinema beyond theatres. Aamir also confesses that he's not fearless, unlike what most would assume, and tells us why, at 60, comfort is not an option — ' ab comfort hai hi nahi, toh kuch karna padega .' Read on... A still from Sitaare Zameen Par How do you think the pay-per-view model gives more power and choice to both the audience and the producer? You are aware that we are able to reach only 2-3% of our population in the theatrical business, and this is for the biggest hit. For a film like Sitaare Zameen Par , around one crore people would have watched it by the end of its theatrical run. In the absence of enough theatres being built, this model is perhaps the only way to reach the vast majority of India, especially with rising internet penetration. In one stroke, this solves that problem for everyone. It's great for filmmakers because it strengthens them and empowers them to make better films. To be able to watch a movie, access and affordability are key. Was this model born out of that philosophy – to make both these points a reality? Today, cinemas in India, and here I am talking about the multiplexes, are trying to give a unique experience, but that costs money. So, over the years, theatres have evolved from the time when I started out with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (QSQT) . Back then, the average ticket price was Rs 10. Today, the ticket prices are not affordable for a large section of society. And multiplexes, because of the high cost and heavy investment (in terms of rent, etc), have also started catering to an audience who can afford to come there. So, who will cater to the masses? This model caters straight to the masses. Continues… In every press conference prior to my film's release in the past 10 years, I would be asked, ' Aap film bana rahe ho, jo masses hai woh kaise dekhenge ?' The answer to this and the pricing of tickets is not in my hands. I can't tell theatre owners who have invested a lot of money to go into a loss. If this model works, it will dramatically change the way we distribute films. From an economical point of view, I had strong OTT offers for SZP , if I were to accept that, it would have been a safe bet. I chose not to. I would rather earn Rs 100 from each Indian who watches my movie. Also, this is a great opportunity for younger filmmakers who are trying to break in and don't get a chance to showcase their work. It will give creative voices more freedom. It will give them the freedom to price their content the way they want to. You are a theatre loyalist and have spoken about 'protecting our theatres'. What are some ways exhibitors and filmmakers can work together to reimagine cinema-going as a more inclusive, feasible experience? Let me clarify, my loyalty is to cinema. Cinemas came first, then theatres came to serve cinema. Earlier, there was no theatre. Cinema dikhane ke liye pardah laga dete the , and it would be shown through a projector. Phir tent aaya, wahan dikhate the. Then permanent theatres came about. Cinema is what I am protecting, and emotionally, I am very tied to theatres. I believe that the theatrical experience cannot be replaced by anything else. When you are sitting in that dark space with 300 people around you, it's a group experience where you laugh and cheer together. Imagine watching Lagaan , where the whole theatre is cheering... abhi woh experience aapko ghar pe baithke apne family ke saath bhi nahin milega . I am loyal to cinema first, and then to theatres, clearly in that order. To answer your question, I think first of all, we need more theatres. In districts where there is no single screen, not even a single theatre, we should at least have one theatre. India needs many more theatres, but they should be economical theatres. Do you believe that, at some point, the theatrical business will start thriving again? Yes, of course. I really hope so. Do you think that, as makers, focusing on tier-2 and tier-3 cities is key, as therein lies the scope for theatrical recovery in India? Absolutely! I believe that we need theatres in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The tier-2 cities have theatres, but as we go deeper, we don't. I also feel that it's not that people want to watch only action films in theatres – that was the feeling for some time. If that were the case, SZP wouldn't have done well, and Saiyaara wouldn't have been such a success. These are phases that keep coming and going. When I did Ghajini , everyone told me that you are doing an action film at a time when this genre was not working. It worked. I think audiences are interested in watching films irrespective of the genre. So, the genre of your film and how it fits with current trends and mood doesn't concern you? No, it doesn't. Stories that inspire me and affect me the most are what I gravitate towards. Stills from Ghajini and Dhoom 3 You've consistently been a disruptor — as an actor and a filmmaker. In an industry that often plays it safe, where does this creative fearlessness come from? No, no, there is a lot of fear. There is fear every time I am doing a film, and unfortunately, my choices are also unusual, but I can't help but make them. When I was doing Dangal , I felt that dus saal baad karte hain, abhi mein itna mota, buddha dikh raha hoon . Just before that, I had done PK and Dhoom 3 . People thought I am 30-35, they didn't know I am 55. I thought yeh film karoonga toh meri asliyat saamne aa jayegi (laughs). It was in my blood; I had to do it. I am not a fearless person. Before the release, you can't assume the film will work, at least my films. There were exceptions like Ghajini and Dhoom 3 , where you could say yeh kuch toh karegi . But with the unusual ones, it's difficult to tell. I go with my instinct and my heart. So, I am not thinking about what the audience wants to see. I am thinking mujhe kya banana hai. There's still this restless energy about you. Does that fuel your creativity? I suppose so. If the status quo is comfortable, I have no problem with it. But when it's not, then I want to do something to correct it. I am comfortable about being comfortable, but ab comfort hai hi nahi, toh kuch karna padega, haath pair marna padega , because in today's times it is difficult for creative people to make what they want to make. Unless you have a subscription model pre-sale, you can't greenlight a project. That's not a comfortable situation to be in for creative people. A still from Talaash Knowing the kind of connection and influence you have with audiences across generations, do you feel a certain sense of responsibility when you take on a film? I do feel a sense of responsibility, so I don't do films that propagate any thoughts, views or ethos which are not mine. At the same time, I also believe in having my freedom as an artiste, as that's how I always operated from the beginning. I have selected films that I wanted to do. Some of them worked, some didn't. Fortunately, most of them did. I have tried not to take the unnecessary load, ki meri har film 300, 500 ya 600 crore banayegi . I am not chasing that. Mujhe Talaash ki script pasand aayi aur mujhe pata tha yeh 500 crore ki film nahin hai, yeh 200 crore ki bhi nahin hai. In fact, I remember telling the team that I believe the film will do about 70 crores. It went on to do 95 crores. I did the film as I loved the story. Just because I knew it wouldn't break my Ghajini record, didn't mean I wouldn't do it. I can't think like that. This comes from my excitement as an artiste, and also because I can't keep doing the same kind of films again and again; I don't know how to do that. You said that you feel a sense of fear every time you embark on something new. Can you recall what you felt on the first day first show of QSQT ? I still remember that moment – I remember the premiere show of the film. My uncle (Nasir Hussain) had booked the balcony, and the stall was for the paid audience for the first day, 6pm show. And Shammi (Kapoor) uncle had come, in fact, he was the only star my uncle had called from the film industry. I remember walking into the film with no one recognising me, and when the film got over and I walked out, I was mobbed.
Pink Villa
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Why did Aamir Khan spend Rs 122 crore on making Sitaare Zameen Par? Actor reveals being at odds with partner over digital release
Aamir Khan took the internet by storm when he announced that his film Sitaare Zameen Par will be directly released on YouTube, opposed to an OTT deal. Now, the actor has revealed that he had to spend a total of Rs 122 crore for the film, owing to this decision. Why does Sitaare Zameen Par have a budget of Rs 122 crore? In his podcast chat with Matthew Belloni, Aamir Khan said, 'I had to pay a price also because I had a partner with me earlier, and they weren't very keen on this rash idea of mine. They didn't like me turning down money, so they preferred that I buy them out, and so therefore the film has actually cost me about Rs 122 crore.' The filmmaker continued that initially the budget for SZP was Rs 96 crore but the amount to make it available on Pay-Per-View model came out of his own pocket. Aamir added, 'It's doing way beyond what YouTube expected. I'm not allowed to give numbers, so I'm afraid I won't be able to give any numbers right now. I hope that I make the money back, and right now both YouTube and I are separately promoting it on the platform.' About Sitaare Zameen Par Talking about the film, Sitaare Zameen Par is a sports comedy drama featuring Aamir Khan in the lead role. The movie is an official remake of the 2018 Spanish film Champions, focusing on the story of a suspended basketball coach. After getting into an accident, the man is ordered by the court to serve community service. This leads him to help and train a team of players with disabilities in an upcoming tournament, ultimately changing his life too. With Khan in the lead role, the film features an ensemble cast of actors like Genelia D'Souza, Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharma, Naman Misra, and many more in key roles. Aamir Khan's next Aamir Khan will be appearing in a cameo role for Coolie, starring Rajnikanth. The film is slated to release on August 14, 2025, with stars like Nagarjuna Akkineni and Upendra Rao also being a part of it.
Pink Villa
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office: Aamir Khan starrer tops 250cr worldwide but misfires overseas
Sitaare Zameen Par has nearly wrapped up its international box office run, grossing just over USD 200K in its fourth weekend. The total overseas collection of the film now stands at USD 7.80 million (Rs. 67 crore). The Aamir Khan starrer managed a run in India, but overseas it has been subpar. The worldwide gross for the film stands at Rs. 254 crore, largely driven by its domestic haul. SZP falls short of Laal Singh Chaddha Overseas To put things in perspective, the overseas biz of Sitaare Zameen Par is still short of Laal Singh Chaddha, which was a DISASTER. By the end of its run, it will probably get even with it but that is despite the Middle East business being more than double that of LSC, which implies the rest of the markets have fared significantly worse. The film had a soft start but showed promise with a big growth on Saturday. At that point, it looked like it might cruise past USD 10 million, possibly even stretching to USD 15 million with strong legs. However, it came back of earth soon after on Sunday and the trend since then has been rather ordinary. The film has underperformed across the board, but the United States is the biggest letdown. Traditionally, the strongest market for Aamir and generally friendly to films of this genre, the US turnout was tepid, set to close under USD 2 million. The best performer is ironically the Middle East, ironic because generally films like this underperform here. So, just a weird set of performances. Will China come to the rescue? Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to release in the East Asian markets later this year, including China. Aamir Khan is the biggest name from Indian cinema in China, who has delivered two mega blockbusters in Dangal and Secret Superstar. How SZP performs in China could change the entire narrative of the film; however, that market is struggling lately, so it's unclear how that will go at this moment. The territorial breakdown for Sitaare Zameen Par overseas box office is as follows:
Pink Villa
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Oho Enthan Baby FIRST review: Here's what Aamir Khan has to say about Vishnu Vishal's brother Rudra's movie
Oho Enthan Baby starring Vishnu Vishal's brother Rudra is hitting the big screens on July 11, 2025. Ahead of its release, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan reacted to the film, and here's what he had to say. Aamir Khan reviews Oho Enthan Baby Talking about the interaction, Vishnu Vishal was seen at a pre-release event and said, 'Aamir Khan sir has watched Oho Enthan Baby yesterday and was overflowing with happy tears. He told me how such films about relationships have become scarce in cinema today.' 'Aamir sir has appreciated the film so much that I even told my brother, look how the superstar is appreciating your debut venture,' Vishnu added. In addition, the Ratsaan actor explained how he is not playing just a cameo but has approximately a 40-minute screen time in the film. His character will be Vishnu Vishal himself, who is listening to a narration for a movie. Vishnu Vishal concluded that his character would be a reflection of his journey and the struggles he faced, starting off in Tamil cinema. Aamir Khan and Vishnu Vishal Aamir Khan and Vishnu Vishal recently made the headlines together but for whole different reasons. The Bollywood superstar was recently seen at the naming ceremony of Vishnu Vishal and his wife Jwala Gutta's daughter Mira. The SZP actor himself conducted the naming ritual, holding the baby in his arms with happy mom Jwala sharing some precious moments on the internet. See the pictures from the naming ceremony About Oho Enthan Baby Oho Enthan Baby is an upcoming Tamil-language romantic comedy featuring Rudra in the lead role. The movie features the story of Ashwin, an aspiring filmmaker who was dumped by his girlfriend, whom he thought would be the love of his life. As the man becomes heartbroken, he delves into churning out the story but is unclear about the end. Will he go back to find his lost love, or would he take it upon himself and reform, makes up the entire story. Aside from Vishnu Vishal's brother, the film features Mithila Palkar as the female lead.
