Aamir Khan is set to make his much-anticipated comeback to cinemas with “Sitaare Zameen Par” hitting screens on June 20, 2025. Directed by R.S. Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, this emotional sports comedy-drama is being hailed as a spiritual successor to his beloved 2007 film, “Taare Zameen Par.” The film presents a unique and heartwarming narrative, following a basketball coach who trains a team of neurodivergent players, a premise that has already garnered significant public interest.
Aamir Khan’s much-awaited comeback film, Sitaare Zameen Par, has opened to a strong ₹11 crore net collection on Day 1 (June 20, 2025), exceeding initial trade projections. The emotional sports drama, directed by R.S. Prasanna, is being hailed as a worthy spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par (2007), with early audience reactions praising its heartfelt storytelling and performances.
Box Office Collection (Daily Updates)
| Day | Date | Net Collection (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | June 20, 2025 | 11.00cr (early est.) |
| Day 2 | June 21, 2025 | To be updated |
| Day 3 | June 22, 2025 | To be updated |
| Day 4 | June 23, 2025 | To be updated |
| Day 5 | June 24, 2025 | To be updated |
| Day 6 | June 25, 2025 | To be updated |
| Day 7 | June 26, 2025 | To be updated |
| Total | 11.00cr (so far) |
Advance Booking: A Measured Start
Advance bookings for “Sitaare Zameen Par” commenced earlier this week and while the response has been steady, it hasn’t been a blockbuster frenzy. here’s a snapshot:
- Total Advance Booking Revenue (excluding blocked seats): ₹1.11 crore
- Including Blocked Seats: ₹3.72 crore
- Tickets Sold: Over 41,000 across 6,128 shows in India.
Language-wise Breakdown:
- The Hindi version leads significantly with ₹90.64 lakh from nearly 30,000 tickets across over 5,700 shows.
- The Telugu version has contributed ₹7.87 lakh, while the Tamil version added ₹1.22 lakh.
Regional Performance: Delhi-NCR has seen the highest ticket sales, followed by Maharashtra and Telangana. National cinema chains (PVR, Inox, Cinepolis) are reporting moderate bookings, which are currently lower than recent hits like “Chhaava” and “Sikandar” at the same stage.
Opening Day Projections: Trade analysts are cautiously estimating a Day 1 net collection of ₹7.5–8.5 crore. Some reports suggest it might even be closer to ₹5-6 crore net, a figure that would be considerably lower than Aamir’s previous outing, “Laal Singh Chaddha,” which had an ₹11.70 crore opening despite its eventual underperformance. The gross total, including blocked seats, for the opening day is projected at ₹3.61 crore based on advance bookings.
(Note: This table will be updated daily with official figures and trade estimates post-release.)
Budget:-
There appears to be some discrepancy regarding the film’s actual budget:
- Modest Estimate (₹50 crore): This figure, reported by several credible sources, suggests a production cost of ₹40 crore and promotions costing ₹10 crore.
- High-Profile Estimate (₹375 crore): Some outlets, like Koimoi, have claimed this exorbitant figure, positioning it as the most expensive Indian comedy ever. However, given Aamir Khan’s history of financially prudent filmmaking and reports that he didn’t charge an acting fee, the ₹50 crore estimate seems far more plausible.
Cast Fees & Break-Even Point: Genelia Deshmukh is reportedly the highest-paid actor in the film, taking home ₹1 crore, while the debutant neurodivergent actors were paid in lakhs. For “Sitaare Zameen Par” to be deemed a “hit,” it would need to achieve a net collection of ₹55–70 crore in India, according to trade sources.
Interestingly, Aamir Khan reportedly declined a ₹120 crore OTT deal from Amazon Prime, underscoring his commitment to a theatrical release and his belief in the film’s big-screen appeal.
What Will Determine Its Success?
The film’s trajectory at the box office will depend on several crucial factors:
Potential Strengths:
- Aamir Khan’s Return: After the underwhelming performances of “Laal Singh Chaddha” and “Thugs of Hindostan,” Aamir needs a box office success. His dedicated fanbase and reputation for thought-provoking cinema could draw audiences back.
- Word-of-Mouth: Early reactions hint that the film is emotional, inspiring, and heartwarming, echoing the sentiment of “Taare Zameen Par.” Strong positive word-of-mouth could significantly boost weekend collections.
- Fresh and Inclusive Storyline: A sports drama featuring neurodivergent athletes is a novel concept in Bollywood, appealing to families and urban audiences seeking feel-good content.
- Wide Release & Accessible Pricing: The film has expanded its reach to over 3,200 screens across India, and reports suggest lower ticket prices, which might encourage more families to attend.
Potential Challenges:
- Competition from Dhanush’s “Kuberaa”: Releasing on the same day, “Kuberaa,” a pan-India film starring Dhanush, Nagarjuna, and Rashmika Mandanna, could divert a significant portion of the audience, especially in South India.
- Weak Overseas Buzz: Unlike Aamir’s past global successes (“Dangal,” “PK”), overseas advance bookings for “Sitaare Zameen Par” have been slow, with fewer than 1,000 tickets sold in the U.S. and Australia. Positive critical acclaim might be needed to reverse this trend.
Aamir Khan’s “Sitaare Zameen Par” – A Test of Heart
“Sitaare Zameen Par” it’s a heartfelt, socially relevant drama with a unique and compelling premise. While initial advance bookings suggest a modest start, the true measure of its success will lie in audience reactions after its release. With music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, cinematography by Srinivas Reddy, and a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes, the film has the ingredients to resonate deeply and potentially grow through positive word-of-mouth.
Keep an eye on this space we will be providing daily updates on the box office numbers to track the journey of this emotional sports drama.