In a surprising move that has stirred both buzz and backlash, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has announced that his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par will premiere on his official YouTube channel Aamir Khan Talkies starting August 1 — but not for free. Despite earlier denying plans to release the film online or on OTT platforms, Aamir has now revealed a ₹100 pay-per-view model on YouTube.
Speaking at a “Meet and Greet” event in Mumbai, Aamir publicly apologized for misleading the audience. He admitted to intentionally withholding the actual release plan to build suspense and maintain focus on theatrical release. Initially, he had asserted that the film would be released only in theatres and denied any possibility of a YouTube drop.
However, he revealed that not only will Sitaare Zameen Par be available for digital viewing via YouTube, but all his future films will also follow the same distribution model — first in theatres, and then exclusively on Aamir Khan Talkies.
The pay-per-view structure is as follows:
₹100 per viewing window
Once purchased, the viewer has 30 days to begin watching
After starting the film, it will be available for 48 hours
To watch again after 48 hours, viewers must pay again
Aamir also announced that films produced by his late father Tahir Hussain will soon be available on the same channel, preserving his cinematic legacy and giving audiences access to vintage Bollywood classics.
The decision has triggered mixed reactions online, with fans divided over Aamir’s “strategy twist” — some applauding the direct-to-audience model and others calling it a commercial gimmick.
Stay tuned for August 1, when the curtain rises — not in theatres, but on YouTube.
.jpg)