Give Aamir Khan His Due! 'Sitaare Zameen Par' Is A Theatre-Worthy Experience We Didn’t Know We Needed

Aamir Khan’s last film, 'Laal Singh Chaddha', a remake of the 1994 American film 'Forrest Gump', bombed at the box office. The actor waited three years and returned with another remake, the Spanish film ‘Campeones’, titled 'Sitaare Zameen Par'.

We keep forgetting Aamir Khan’s genius since he takes long hiatuses, and then a film like 'Sitaare Zameen Par' comes along and starts the conversation around the actor again.

The film, released on June 20, is going strong thanks to its positive word of mouth. It is a stirring tale of ten neurodiverse basketball players who are assigned a reluctant coach, played by Aamir Khan, a hot-headed man in desperate need of a reset.

The film stays with us because of its calm moments, emotional maturity, and its reluctance to shout for attention. Here are three broad ways to define RS Prasanna’s 'Sitaare Zameen Par':

Story That Moves Beyond Thrills, Romance and Genre Traps

Prior to the release of the film, Aamir addressed the remake debate head-on, answering, “Some of our biggest hits have been remakes.” He told PTI, "If a cut and paste is so easy to do, then you do it, it's just a cut and paste. But it's not a cut and paste thing, you've to put your life into it."

Aamir, we’re with you. The storytelling here truly breathed life and meaning into the narrative.

To fit the plot and genre of this story into a box, you'd at least need a medium-sized one, if not large. You want to call it a sports drama? Yes, you can. A story to empathise with disability? Yes again. It's a celebration of human vulnerability, presented with a level of delicacy that is uncommon in big-screen films.

By intentionally maintaining an uncomplicated style, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' writer Divy Nidhi Sharma brilliantly presents the Indian adaptation of ‘Campeones’, with just the perfect amount of fun.

ALSO READ | Aamir Khan’s 91-Year-Old Mother Zeenat Hussain To Make Bollywood Debut In Sitaare Zameen Par

No Fuss, Just Pure, Unfiltered Acting

Don't we all try to laugh and take things lightly to get through life's critical moments? That’s exactly how the entire film plays out, thanks to its unfiltered portrayal of neurodivergent adults.

‘Sympathising’ might feel like the right word, but it doesn’t quite fit; you do feel for them, but they never let you see them with pity. In fact, they’re more normal than the version of ‘normal’ we often define.

If it weren't for the occasional comedic relief, the plot would have been far less interesting.

Every character carries a slice of their past, and it’s portrayed so beautifully that you can’t help but understand them. Barring Genelia Deshmukh, no one is trying to steal the spotlight; they just exist within the world, so naturally, watching them feels less like acting and more like life unfolding.

If there’s one thing we need to give Aamir Khan full credit for, it’s his acting. Not for a moment does he seem unprepared or out of place in the role. There’s a reason we’ve admired him for so long and it becomes clear once you watch him switch effortlessly between comedy, emotion, and charm.

Oh, and yes, he’s looking great while doing it.

Subtleties in Storytelling 

What we get from the director's vision is that he is highly concerned with maintaining the rawness of his tale. In a conversation with Hindustan Times, director RS Prasanna shared, "It is best for the director to talk through the film." And as an audience, that’s exactly how it comes across.

There is a natural progression to the plot throughout! There is an angle exploring Aamir Khan’s troubled married life, which speaks volumes about his childhood mindset and unresolved traumas. It also reflects how he grew up to be a man struggling with patience and anger issues, someone who finds it hard to have a conversation to resolve things. Eventually, it’s the team of 'Sitaare' that helps him, by teaching him something as simple as saying ‘sorry’ and making amends.

Another example of subtlety is a lift sequence. A couple of times, Aamir is seen taking the stairs instead of the lift and later, it’s shown that he is terrified of being trapped and dying within. It ends with him defying his fear in the most fun way possible, and we make peace with it too.

Similarly, his ingrained anger at being called short and height-shamed (to be specific, being called “Tingu”) is portrayed subtly. The story flows seamlessly as he finally comes to terms with it, or rather, finds something positive about it.

In the powerful climax scene, Aamir's character seems devastated by the team's defeat in the final game, but the camera pans out to reveal his 'Sitaare' joyfully celebrating the result.

A larger message is subtly reinforced when he reminds Simran Mangeshkar's character, "We've lost," and she responds, "No, we came second," proving that some losses are worthy of celebration.

Final Thoughts on 'Sitaare Zameen Par'

To experience this masterpiece, there is no way playing it on OTT can do justice. 'Sitaare Zameen Par' is the kind of movie we may one day look back on and label ‘underrated’. Because when it comes to what makes a classic Bollywood drama, this one ticks all the boxes: comedy, emotion, life lessons on marriage, motivation, and everything in between.

Why does Aamir deserve praise? Because at least he’s trying something new every time. Yes, we can argue about the remake aspect again, but the rawness and the way he gives meaning to the story are exactly why Aamir shouldn’t stop making movies. Because honestly, who isn’t tired of repeated action and romance?

ALSO READ | Aamir Khan Delights 'Sitaare Zameen Par' Audience With Theatre Visits, Watch

movies