Is 'Sitaare Zameen Par' Aamir Khan's most daring bet yet? And is it paying off? We analyse

Aamir Khan’s latest release Sitaare Zameen Par has emerged as a surprise box office winner, earning Rs 59.90 crore nett in its opening weekend. You can read our review here. The social comedy witnessed a strong jump in collections with every passing day, ending Sunday on a significantly high note. The figures have not only surpassed industry expectations but also marked a solid return to form for Khan after the underwhelming performance of Laal Singh Chaddha.

The film opened to Rs 10.7 crore on Friday, a number that might have looked modest at first glance. However, as word-of-mouth started spreading, the collections showed remarkable growth. On Saturday, the earnings doubled, and by Sunday, they had nearly tripled compared to Day 1. This steady growth over three days indicates a strong audience response, largely driven by positive reception and buzz around the film's subject matter.

The performance is particularly notable when compared to Laal Singh Chaddha, which managed an opening weekend collection of around Rs 37.96 crore during its extended run. Sitaare Zameen Par has comfortably overtaken that total in just three days. The current trend suggests that the film is poised to cross the lifetime earnings of Laal Singh Chaddha (Rs 61.36 crore) by the end of Day 4.

This marks a key moment in Khan’s career. The film has not only brought him back into commercial conversation but also reinforced his position as someone who makes calculated risks and backs his convictions. Sitaare Zameen Par is being seen as a spiritual successor to his earlier film Taare Zameen Par, and it attempts to spark conversations while maintaining a mainstream appeal. Directed by R.S. Prasanna, the film stars Khan alongside Genelia D’Souza and a group of neurodivergent children who play central roles.

Critical reception for the film has been largely positive. Reviews from across the country have praised its sensitive storytelling and grounded treatment. This favourable response from both critics and audiences has translated into strong traction at the box office, especially over the weekend.

What makes the film’s performance more interesting is the approach Khan chose in terms of its release strategy. Unlike many producers today who enter into pre-release deals with OTT platforms and satellite channels to recover the bulk of the film’s budget before release, Khan went against this norm. He opted for a theatrical-only release and has been vocal about his reservations regarding quick OTT rollouts. According to Khan, releasing a film on a streaming platform within weeks of its theatrical debut diminishes the theatrical experience and undermines the film’s potential at the box office.

Such a decision in today’s market is seen as high risk. Most films rely on pre-sale deals to ensure financial safety. Khan’s insistence on testing his film strictly in cinemas was viewed as a bold move. With Sitaare Zameen Par now showing promising results, his bet appears to be working. The Day 3 jump from the opening day figure is among the biggest surges seen in recent Hindi cinema, regardless of the overall number.

This kind of growth also reiterates the value of word-of-mouth in shaping a film’s box office journey. When a film connects with its audience, it finds momentum that even the best marketing campaigns cannot guarantee. In this case, the audience response seems to be doing the heavy lifting.

Now, all eyes are on how the film performs during weekdays. Monday typically sees a dip in collections for most films. However, if Sitaare Zameen Par manages to sustain or show only a minor drop, it would further strengthen its run and possibly lead to a strong first week total. With no major competition lined up for the next few days, the film has the space it needs to continue performing.

Khan’s commitment to backing films that have something to say has often set him apart. Sitaare Zameen Par continues that trajectory. While its commercial success will be tracked over the coming week, the early signs point to a project that has delivered on both creative intent and box office viability.