‘Frame-by-frame copy’: Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par trailer gets mixed reaction

“Aamir Khan copies film frame by frame, that is why he is called a perfectionist,” wrote one user, comparing Sitaare Zameen Par to the 2018 Spanish film Champions, a comment that has since triggered a flurry of mixed reactions across social media.
The trailer for Aamir Khan’s upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, released on Tuesday, quickly became a lightning rod for online discussion. While many viewers praised the film’s heartfelt tone and representation of children with Down Syndrome, others criticised it as a remake that was copied frame by frame.
The three-minute-long trailer introduces Aamir as a disgraced basketball coach who, following a police run-in, is sentenced by the court to coach a team of neurodivergent children. The storyline closely mirrors Champions (Spanish – 2018), which was also adapted into an English film by Universal Pictures in 2023.

And that similarity didn’t go unnoticed. “Copied film from Champion (Spanish -2018/ English 2023) of Universal Pictures,” wrote another user.

Despite mounting criticism around originality, many users applauded Aamir Khan’s intent and casting choices. He reportedly auditioned over 10,000 children with Down Syndrome to cast 10 in key roles a move praised for its authenticity and inclusiveness.

“In an era where everyone’s busy showing maximum gore and bloodbath in films, Aamir Khan is making a film on Down Syndrome... Will always be the biggest trendsetter ever!!” said one supporter.
Others called the trailer “very very cute & wholesome,” with viewers appreciating the film’s uplifting tone and feel-good storytelling. Genelia Deshmukh plays Aamir’s romantic interest in the film, adding a soft emotional touch to the sports drama.

Still, reactions were far from unanimous. “Average trailer to be honest... Nothing in the trailer that is exciting. Movie might be better,” wrote one viewer.

“Wonderful trailer!! After a long time, a movie feels worth a visit to the theatres. Truly hope this one doesn’t disappoint,” added another.
“#SitaareZameenPar trailer honest thoughts: Positives – A good trailer, had a smile throughout. Promises to be a wholesome family entertainer. Title track is lovely. Negatives – The fact that it’s a remake. Missed the ‘emotional’ quotient,” a user summarised.

Adding to the controversy, some users even called for a boycott of the film. They questioned the timing of Aamir Khan’s social media post praising the Indian armed forces after Operation Sindoor, claiming it was “strategically timed” just a day before the trailer’s release.

The film features an ensemble cast alongside Aamir and Genelia, including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharmaa, Naman Misra, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Ashish Pendse, Samvit Desai, Simran Mangeshkar, Aayush Bhansali, Dolly Ahluwalia, Gurpal Singh, and Brijendra Kala.
Sharing the trailer on social media, Aamir captioned it, "1 Tingu Basketball Coach, 10 Toofani SITAARE aur unki journey" — which loosely translates to “One short basketball coach and ten daring stars and their journey."
With emotions running high and opinions sharply divided, Sitaare Zameen Par is poised to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.