Aamir Skips OTT Millions, Sapan Delivers Billion-Dollar Roast

At the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025, comedian Sapan Verma stole the spotlight with a razor-sharp monologue that poked fun at Bollywood’s biggest names. But the moment that truly lit up the internet was his cheeky jab at Aamir Khan’s decision to reject a Rs 100 crore OTT offer for his film Sitaare Zameen Par. Verma’s punchline—calling it Akshay Kumar’s monthly salary—wasn’t just hilarious, it spotlighted a bold move by one of India’s most revered actors.

The OTT Offer That Wasn’t  

1. Aamir Khan was reportedly offered over Rs 100 crore, with some sources citing figures as high as Rs 125 crore, by a leading OTT platform for the exclusive streaming rights to Sitaare Zameen Par.  
2. Instead of taking the deal, Aamir opted for a YouTube-first release, embracing a pay-per-view model priced at just Rs 100 per viewer.  
3. At a press event in Mumbai, Aamir explained his rationale: he wanted to earn directly from the audience, not from corporate platforms.  
4. He emphasized that cinema should serve viewers first, and that OTT deals, while lucrative, risk undermining theatrical culture and long-term industry health.

Sapan Verma’s Viral Roast  

1. Hosting the IFFM awards night, Sapan Verma opened with a monologue that roasted several celebrities, including Abhishek Bachchan and Aditi Rao Hydari.  
2. On Aamir Khan, Verma quipped that the actor had done so many interviews to promote Sitaare Zameen Par, he half-expected Aamir to show up at his door personally.  
3. The highlight came when Verma joked, Aamir sir made history. He released his film directly on YouTube and rejected a Rs 100 crore OTT offer. That’s Akshay Kumar’s monthly salary.  
4. The audience erupted in laughter, and the clip quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans praising both Aamir’s conviction and Verma’s comic timing.

Industry Reactions and Ripple Effects  

1. Aamir’s move has sparked debate across the film industry, with some calling it visionary and others questioning its commercial viability.  
2. His decision aligns with a growing sentiment among filmmakers who want to preserve the theatrical experience and avoid over-reliance on streaming platforms.  
3. The pay-per-view model on YouTube is still experimental in India, but Aamir’s star power could set a precedent for future releases.  
4. Meanwhile, OTT platforms are recalibrating their strategies, as top-tier talent begins to explore alternative distribution models.

Key Highlights  

- Aamir Khan rejected a Rs 100 crore OTT offer for Sitaare Zameen Par, choosing a YouTube pay-per-view release instead  
- Comedian Sapan Verma roasted the move at IFFM 2025, joking it was Akshay Kumar’s monthly salary  
- Aamir cited audience-first values and industry sustainability as reasons for his decision  
- The move has triggered conversations about the future of film distribution in India  
- Sapan’s monologue went viral, adding a layer of humor to a serious industry shift

Looking Ahead  

Aamir Khan’s decision to bypass OTT giants in favor of direct audience engagement may be a turning point in how Indian cinema navigates the digital age. While the financial risk is real, the cultural statement is louder. As for Sapan Verma, his monologue has cemented him as one of Bollywood’s sharpest comic voices—able to blend satire with substance in a way that resonates far beyond the stage.

Sources: News18, TV9 Bharatvarsh, Brand Equity Economic Times