Aamir Khan has apologised for misleading the public about ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ not being released on YouTube. He admitted to lying to protect the film’s theatrical run, emphasising his loyalty to cinemas. He also shared his views on films releasing on OTT after their theatrical run and revealed why he prefers the pay-per-view model.
At a press conference in Mumbai on July 29, 2025, Aamir Khan announced that his film Sitaare Zameen Par will stream exclusively on YouTube from August 1, following a pay-per-view release model at ₹100 per view Wikipedia+15Hindustan Times+15The Times of India+15.
Previously, while promoting the film theatrically (released June 20), Khan had repeatedly denied any plans for digital or OTT release. Today, he admitted:
“I fold my hands and apologise because I lied when I said Sitaare Zameen Par wouldn’t be released on YouTube. I did it because I had no other choice. I had to protect the film’s theatrical business…” Mid-day+7Hindustan Times+7Etemaad Daily+7
🎯 Why the Apology?
Aamir emphasized his deep loyalty to theatres, saying his career began with cinema and that preserving theatrical viability was paramount.
Believing that revealing digital plans too early might have dampened theatre turnout, he opted to deny them until now.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the deception was wrong and offered a sincere apology: “Otherwise, my dreams for this film would’ve ended there.” Bollywood Hungama+4Hindustan Times+4ABP Live+4ABP Live
⚖️ Pay‑Per‑View vs OTT Subscription: Aamir’s Perspective
At the conference, Aamir critiqued the standard OTT subscription model, arguing:
Viewers who subscribe to OTT platforms aren’t buying the film itself, they’re buying access to an entire catalogue—so individual films lose value.
In contrast, the pay-per-view (PPV) model mirrors the theatrical experience: viewers pay only for the film they want to see.
He clarified:
“I don’t want ₹125 crore from a big company, I want ₹100 from my audience…”
“Pay-per-view model cannot affect theatrical business of my film.” The Times of India+13Hindustan Times+13ABP Live+13The New Indian Express+3Bollywood Hungama+3Mid-day+3
📅 Release Timeline & Strategy
Theatrical release: Sitaare Zameen Par premiered in Indian cinemas on June 20, 2025.
YouTube debut: Scheduled for August 1, just six weeks post-theatrical release, under a pay-per-view model priced at ₹100 https://www.peepingmoon.com/+15Wikipedia+15Etemaad Daily+15The New Indian Express+6ABP Live+6Mid-day+6.
Aamir intends to upload more titles under Aamir Khan Productions—such as Lagaan, Taare Zameen Par, Peepli Live—and select films by his father Tahir Hussain, as part of a curated YouTube initiative https://www.peepingmoon.com/+3https://www.peepingmoon.com/+3ABP Live+3.
🧩 Broader Implications
For the industry: Aamir’s choice challenges the OTT-first mindset by highlighting an alternative digital path aligned with theatrical economics.
Distribution innovation: Launching a pay-per-view model on YouTube positions the platform as a potential alternative for direct-to-consumer film distribution.
Public reaction: While many fans appreciated his honesty and forward-looking strategy, critics noted the contradiction between denial and eventual revelation.
🧾 Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| What he lied about | Denying digital/YouTube release during theatrical promotion |
| Why he lied | To protect the theatrical business and box office performance |
| When film hits YouTube | August 1, 2025, available via pay-per-view for ₹100 |
| Why PPV | Advocated as more respectful to creators and theatres compared to subscription-based OTT models |
| Apology tone | Humble and direct—“I fold my hands and apologise…” |
✅ Final Thoughts
Aamir Khan’s candid admission and subsequent apology for misleading media and fans has sparked broader conversations about film release models in the streaming age. His shift from subscription-based OTT platforms to a pay-per-view-only strategy on YouTube marks a notable experiment in aligning digital revenue with theatrical values and viewer engagement.
