Aamir Khan is set to return to cinemas this weekend with Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by RS Prasanna. Marking his first release in three years, expectations are high both critically and commercially. However, early trends suggest that audience anticipation isn’t quite reflecting in pre-release box office figures.
Once the undisputed king of the Bollywood box office, Aamir has struggled to reclaim his former glory after the underwhelming performances of Thugs of Hindostan and Laal Singh Chaddha. Hopes now rest on Sitaare Zameen Par to reconnect him with the masses.
While some reports predicted an opening in the ₹10–11 crore range, trade insiders suggest a more modest estimate of ₹5–6 crore net on Day 1 in India. If true, this would be nearly half of Laal Singh Chaddha’s opening of ₹11.70 crore in 2022, which itself was considered a disappointment.
Advance bookings support this outlook. As of 9 AM on Thursday—just a day before release—Sitaare Zameen Par had only managed around ₹1 crore in advance sales, far behind Laal Singh Chaddha’s ₹5.65 crore and Housefull 5’s ₹10.05 crore.
With an estimated budget of ₹80 crore, industry estimates suggest Sitaare Zameen Par needs to earn at least ₹100 crore net in India to be considered a hit. But such a target appears daunting after a slow start. Even recent releases like Jaat and Bhool Chuk Maaf, despite stronger openings, failed to reach the ₹100 crore benchmark.
Still, there remains a glimmer of hope. Aamir’s past successes like Dangal and 3 Idiots gained momentum through strong word of mouth. Dangal, for example, earned ₹32 crore on its second Sunday—outperforming its opening day of ₹29 crore.
What’s Not Working This Time?
Aamir Khan has long been known for his sharp marketing instincts, often turning unconventional films into box office giants. But that same edge seems dulled of late. Trade analyst Atul Mohan notes, “Aamir, once considered a marketing genius, appears let down by his PR strategy this time. He’s giving many interviews, but the message isn’t resonating.”
Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir as a basketball coach mentoring a team of children with special needs. The film also stars Genelia D’Souza and introduces 10 debutant actors with special needs, adding a unique emotional core to its narrative.
