Ahead of the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan has declined a massive Rs 120 crore offer from Amazon Prime Video for the film’s OTT rights. As reported by trade analyst Komal Nahta in Film Information, Aamir’s decision stems not from a desire to protect and revive the theatrical movie watching culture.
Nahta shared Aamir reportedly wants to challenge the current norm where films are swiftly released on OTT platforms just weeks after their theatrical debut. He believes that cinema is best experienced on the big screen, “…what is not known by most people is that he has turned down an offer of ₹120 crore from Amazon Prime Video for the digital rights of the film. Not because he wanted more, not because he wanted Netflix to bid higher for the film and thereby engage the two OTT platforms in a bidding war so that he could be the ultimate beneficiary, not for any similar reason. He politely said ‘no’ because he has decided to try and change the game,”
The actor’s move comes at a time when many viewers prefer waiting for a film’s OTT debut rather than spending on a theatre ticket. “That is what Aamir Khan wants to change,” said Nahta, further adding, “Aamir would have it no other way….Frankly, Amazon Prime’s offer was too lucrative for anyone to turn down…If this non-availability of his film on OTT indeed increases footfalls in cinemas, it may not just revive the industry and give box-office business the much-needed boost but it could also start a trend of either producers emulating Aamir Khan’s example or at least the industry as a whole revisiting the issue of when to release a film digitally.”
However, if the film fails to significantly increase footfalls in theatres, Aamir could suffer a loss of Rs 120 crore.
Directed by RS Prasanna, the spiritual sequel to Aamir’s beloved 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par is set to hit theatres on June 20. In this version, Aamir plays a basketball coach training a team of players with special needs. The film also stars Genelia D’Souza and is a remake of the Spanish film Campeones.
The film recently hit an unexpected hurdle ahead of its release where the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked for two cuts, which Aamir initially refused to implement, citing the creative integrity of the project. However, the film was officially cleared by the CBFC.
