What Happened When Aamir Screened ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ Where Lagaan Was Born?

In a moment steeped in nostalgia and cinematic purpose, Aamir Khan has revisited the iconic village near Bhuj, Gujarat, where his Oscar-nominated film Lagaan was shot 25 years ago. This time, the actor wasn’t there to film but to share — bringing his latest release, Sitaare Zameen Par, to the very community that helped shape one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stories. The screening marked the first-ever film showing in Kotai village and launched Khan’s new initiative to make cinema accessible to rural audiences.

Key Highlights from the Visit

• Aamir Khan hosted a special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par in Kotai village, Gujarat, where Lagaan was filmed in 2000
• The screening was held on a temporary outdoor setup, with villagers watching the film for just ₹100
• This marks the first film screening ever in Kotai, making it a historic cultural moment for the region
• The initiative is part of Khan’s broader campaign to bring cinema to underserved areas through his YouTube-based pay-per-view model

Sitaare Zameen Par: A New Chapter in Inclusive Storytelling

• Released theatrically on June 20, 2025, the film is a Hindi adaptation of the 2018 Spanish hit Champions
• It follows the journey of a basketball coach sentenced to community service, who ends up mentoring a team of players with disabilities
• The film stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh, alongside ten debut actors introduced by Aamir Khan Productions
• Directed by R. S. Prasanna, the film blends humor, emotion, and social messaging, continuing Khan’s legacy of meaningful cinema

Janta Ka Theatre: A Vision for Grassroots Access

• Aamir Khan launched his YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies, as a direct-to-audience platform for post-theatrical releases
• Sitaare Zameen Par became the first film to stream on the channel from August 1, priced at ₹100 in India and available in 38 countries
• The model bypasses traditional OTT platforms, aiming to reach viewers in areas without theatres or digital subscriptions
• Khan described the initiative as “Janta Ka Theatre,” a movement to make cinema truly democratic and inclusive

Emotional Reunion and Local Engagement

• Khan was seen warmly interacting with villagers, including Dana Bhai, a local who played a key role during the Lagaan shoot
• He expressed gratitude for the community’s support and shared memories of filming Lagaan, calling the visit “a historic day”
• The screening was attended by hundreds of locals, many of whom had never watched a film in a theatre before

Industry Impact and Cultural Significance

• The move signals a shift in how Bollywood stars are thinking about distribution and audience engagement
• By choosing Kotai as the launchpad for his digital campaign, Khan has spotlighted the potential of rural India as a cultural audience
• The initiative could inspire other filmmakers to explore alternative release models and community-based screenings

Conclusion

Aamir Khan’s return to the Lagaan village wasn’t just a sentimental journey — it was a bold statement about the future of Indian cinema. With Sitaare Zameen Par, he’s not only telling a story but changing how stories are shared. As the film continues to reach homes across India and beyond, Kotai stands as a symbol of what’s possible when cinema meets community.

Source: Mathrubhumi

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