The film will premiere on YouTube on August 1 with a ₹100 pay-per-view model. This marks a new digital strategy after its theatrical release.
New Delhi, July 29, 2025:
Bollywood star Aamir Khan has revealed a new digital release plan for his recent film Sitaare Zameen Par. At a press event on Tuesday, he announced that the sports drama will be available on YouTube (pay-per-view) starting August 1, at a price of just ₹100 per view in India. The film aims to be a “janta ka theatre,” providing a digital option for viewers who missed the theater screening or live in areas without access to cinemas.
This is a significant move. Sitaare Zameen Par will not be released on traditional OTT platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime, despite reports that Netflix offered up to ₹125 crore for its digital rights. Aamir declined to accept the offer to maintain the value of theatrical viewing and to challenge the subscription-based OTT model.
The YouTube PPV will launch in 38 international markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, with pricing adjusted for each region. The setup will feature subtitles and dubbed versions for better access. Viewers will have a 48-hour rental window after purchase, similar to other PPV releases.
Aamir also explained his previous denial of digital release plans. He admitted he had withheld information to protect the theater model. “I apologize for lying earlier,” he said, adding that the pay-per-view format fits better with viewer choice and helps support cinema culture without harming it.
Industry analysts and filmmakers are closely monitoring this experiment. If it succeeds, it could change the OTT-driven distribution model and provide a direct-to-consumer option for future mainstream Bollywood releases.