Sitaare Zameen Par Review: Riteish Deshmukh Says ‘You Need A Lot Of Guts To…’

Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par is ready to release in theatres on June 20, 2025. Co-starring Genelia D’Souza, the film has created early buzz with its emotional trailer and powerful theme. But while the storyline and performances are being praised, the box office outlook doesn’t look very bright.

Genelia's husband Riteish Deshmukh recently watched the film and called it a bold effort. In a chat with Faridoon Shahryar, he said, “I have seen it. What an extraordinary movie! I am proud of the film. I am proud of the way Aamir and Genelia have performed. I am also proud of the fact that you need a lot of guts to make a film like this, on this subject.”

Despite emotional themes and known faces, Sitaare Zameen Par has seen only average advance bookings. Trade sources no longer expect the earlier Rs 10-11 crore opening. Instead, projections suggest it may struggle to even hit Rs 5-6 crore on Day 1.

This is a worrying sign for a big film led by Aamir Khan. If it earns below Rs 10 crore, it would be lower than Laal Singh Chaddha, which made Rs 11.70 crore on opening day but was still considered a box office letdown. Recent films like Bhool Chuk Maaf and Jaat opened stronger, despite having much smaller names attached.

With a reported budget of Rs 80 crore, the film needs to earn Rs 100 crore in India to break even. That won’t be easy if the opening weekend doesn’t pick up. Still, Aamir Khan has a history of slow-starting films that grow with good reviews.

His earlier release Dangal saw its second Sunday outperform its first-day collection. If Sitaare Zameen Par clicks emotionally with the audience, a similar trend could follow. But it will need fast momentum, and strong word of mouth is key.

Directed by RS Prasanna, the film features Aamir as a basketball coach leading a team of children with special needs. Genelia D’Souza plays a key role, and the film also introduces ten debut actors with special needs. The story focuses on empathy, inclusion, and the power of sport in building confidence and community.

Stay tuned to The Filmy Charcha for more updates!