Bollywood star Aamir Khan is taking an unconventional route with the release of his latest film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, a sequel to the critically acclaimed ‘Taare Zameen Par’. Instead of turning to popular OTT platforms, Aamir is releasing the film directly on YouTube Movies on demand, a move aimed at affordability and wider reach.

The film will be available from 1 August at a price of Rs 100 in India, with subtitles and dubbed versions in multiple languages, and will be accessible in 38 other countries, including the US, UK, and Australia, with prices adjusted for local markets.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, Aamir Khan shared the thought behind this decision.

"Think about it. If a family of four watches the film for Rs100, that's just Rs 25 per person. You can even invite your neighbours. When I was young, I used to watch movies with neighbours. If you watch it with eight people, it's even cheaper. You can show it to the whole village, 100 people for Rs 100, that's just Rs1 per person."

He added, "It's up to you how you want to use it. But our effort is to reach every corner of India and ensure everyone benefits from it. This is a big step for us."

Why not OTT?

Aamir also opened up about why he chose to skip traditional OTT platforms, a route taken by many filmmakers post-pandemic.

"Many journalists have asked me why I didn't go to OTT," he said.

"At that time, I couldn't explain it clearly. But the reason is that I never liked that model. I never understood it. That's why I've come up with this new model. I hope you'll like it. I hope that every citizen of the country will appreciate it. I believe cinema, which once soared, will soar high again."

‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, directed by Prasanna, hit theatres on 20 June and will now make its way to digital viewers via YouTube. The film sees Aamir Khan in the role of a basketball coach, guiding a team of neurodivergent children, with Genelia Deshmukh also featuring in a prominent role.