Sitaare Zameen Par sets Friday cap on screenings, expands theatre footprint from day two

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par is gearing up for its theatrical release on June 20, but with an unconventional rollout plan for its first day. The makers and distributors have instructed cinemas to implement a unique screening schedule on Friday, followed by a regular pattern from Saturday onwards.

According to Bollywood Hungama, the revised communication sent out on the morning of June 18 stated that no shows of the film are to be screened before 11 am on Friday. Additionally, theatres were asked to limit the number of shows between 11 am and 6 pm to just four. After 6 pm, however, cinema owners are free to schedule the film as per regular norms. The email also clarified that this restricted format applies only to the day of release. From Saturday, June 21, the previously shared distribution guidelines will be in effect.

Under that original directive, there should be no screening before 9 am for any show. Single screens wishing to run Sitaare Zameen Par are expected to dedicate all their slots solely to the film. Meanwhile, cinema halls with multiple screens are required to run a specific number of shows per day—from 8 shows in two-screen setups to as many as 31 shows in multiplexes with 10 or more screens. Additionally, cinemas are being encouraged to apply popular weekend pricing to the film.

Directed by RS Prasanna, the movie is a slice-of-life sports drama about a group of 10 specially-abled children, mentored by a tough yet compassionate coach portrayed by Aamir Khan. The film is expected to blend inspiration with social themes, focusing on inclusion through the lens of football.

Meanwhile, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has cleared the film with a 12A certificate. This means viewers aged 12 and above can watch the film independently, while those younger can do so if accompanied by an adult. The film’s total runtime is 2 hours and 35 minutes.

With a controlled opening day strategy, Sitaare Zameen Par aims to manage viewer response and theatre occupancy smartly, before expanding its footprint across India from Saturday.