Aamir Khan’s sports drama Sitaare Zameen Par premiered in cinemas on June 20 and became available digitally on August 1 through YouTube’s pay-per-view (PPV) model. The decision to skip an immediate OTT release was a deliberate one, with Khan aiming to create a dedicated PPV window between the theatrical and streaming phases.
Speaking on The Town podcast with Matthew Belloni, the actor explained that the PPV model had not taken off in India earlier due to underdeveloped electronic payment systems. However, with the widespread adoption of UPI, he believes the time is right to introduce this option, mirroring practices in global markets. His intention, he said, was not to replace OTT platforms but to add another stage to the release cycle.
The Six-Month Gap Dispute
Khan revealed that while he is open to an OTT release, his preference is for it to happen at least five to six months after the theatrical debut. This would allow a meaningful PPV run. However, major OTT players reportedly pushed for a shorter two-month gap, leading to stalled negotiations. The actor confirmed he had not yet sold the digital rights to any platform, despite receiving lucrative offers.
He maintained that his first priority is always the cinema audience, followed by a PPV period, and then streaming. According to him, every film requires a tailored release strategy, with no window shorter than six weeks before PPV, and ideally around three months before OTT availability.
How to Watch on YouTube
The film can be rented in India for Rs 100 via YouTube on smartphones, tablets, laptops, or Smart TVs. Viewers can find it by searching Sitaare Zameen Par, visiting the Aamir Khan Productions channel, or browsing YouTube’s Movies section.
To rent, users select the rent option, choose a payment method such as BHIM UPI, Google Play balance, or Visa/MasterCard, and confirm the transaction. Once rented, the film remains in the account’s purchases section for 30 days. Viewers have 48 hours to watch it as many times as they like after starting playback. On Smart TVs, the process is similar, with purchases linked to the account’s saved payment methods.
The Film’s Story and Reception
Sitaare Zameen Par follows a coach who trains a basketball team made up of neurodivergent children, blending a sports narrative with a social message. Starring Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh, the film’s heartwarming storyline resonated strongly with audiences, leading to a successful box office run.
While its OTT future remains undecided, Khan remains confident that both PPV and streaming audiences will embrace the film when it eventually arrives on OTT platforms.
Speaking on The Town podcast with Matthew Belloni, the actor explained that the PPV model had not taken off in India earlier due to underdeveloped electronic payment systems. However, with the widespread adoption of UPI, he believes the time is right to introduce this option, mirroring practices in global markets. His intention, he said, was not to replace OTT platforms but to add another stage to the release cycle.
The Six-Month Gap Dispute
Khan revealed that while he is open to an OTT release, his preference is for it to happen at least five to six months after the theatrical debut. This would allow a meaningful PPV run. However, major OTT players reportedly pushed for a shorter two-month gap, leading to stalled negotiations. The actor confirmed he had not yet sold the digital rights to any platform, despite receiving lucrative offers.
He maintained that his first priority is always the cinema audience, followed by a PPV period, and then streaming. According to him, every film requires a tailored release strategy, with no window shorter than six weeks before PPV, and ideally around three months before OTT availability.
How to Watch on YouTube
The film can be rented in India for Rs 100 via YouTube on smartphones, tablets, laptops, or Smart TVs. Viewers can find it by searching Sitaare Zameen Par, visiting the Aamir Khan Productions channel, or browsing YouTube’s Movies section.
To rent, users select the rent option, choose a payment method such as BHIM UPI, Google Play balance, or Visa/MasterCard, and confirm the transaction. Once rented, the film remains in the account’s purchases section for 30 days. Viewers have 48 hours to watch it as many times as they like after starting playback. On Smart TVs, the process is similar, with purchases linked to the account’s saved payment methods.
The Film’s Story and Reception
Sitaare Zameen Par follows a coach who trains a basketball team made up of neurodivergent children, blending a sports narrative with a social message. Starring Aamir Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh, the film’s heartwarming storyline resonated strongly with audiences, leading to a successful box office run.
While its OTT future remains undecided, Khan remains confident that both PPV and streaming audiences will embrace the film when it eventually arrives on OTT platforms.
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