Aamir Khan’s much-anticipated film, Sitaare Zameen Par, which hit theatres on June 20, 2025, experienced a significant drop in its box office earnings on its first Monday, collecting just over ₹8 crore nett in India, as per early estimates by Sacnilk.
Despite a promising opening weekend that saw the film amass nearly ₹60 crore nett, the sports comedy-drama faced a steep decline on the crucial weekday, raising concerns about its ability to sustain momentum.
Directed by RS Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan, Aparna Purohit, and Ravi Bhagchandka, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par and features Genelia Deshmukh alongside a cast of debutant actors portraying neurodivergent individuals.
The film, a Hindi remake of the 2018 Spanish movie Campeones, follows the journey of Gulshan Arora (played by Aamir Khan), a disgraced basketball coach who, after a DUI conviction, is sentenced to community service.
Tasked with coaching a team of intellectually disabled athletes for a national tournament, Gulshan undergoes a transformative journey of personal growth and redemption.
Despite receiving positive reviews for its heartfelt narrative and inclusive message, the film’s Monday performance has sparked discussions about its long-term box office potential.
Key Highlights of Sitaare Zameen Par’s Box Office Performance
- Monday Dip: On its fourth day (June 23, 2025), Sitaare Zameen Par earned an estimated ₹8.5 crore nett in India, marking a 70% drop from its Sunday collection of ₹27.25 crore. This single-digit figure indicates a failure to pass the critical Monday test, a key indicator of a film’s staying power.
- Total Collection: The film’s cumulative domestic nett collection after four days stands at ₹66.65 crore, surpassing the lifetime earnings of Aamir’s previous release, Laal Singh Chaddha (₹61.36 crore). However, the Monday drop suggests challenges in maintaining weekday traction.
- Weekend Performance: The film had a strong opening weekend, collecting ₹59.90 crore nett across three days. It opened with ₹10.7 crore on Friday, doubled to ₹20.2 crore on Saturday, and peaked at ₹27.25 crore on Sunday, driven by positive word-of-mouth and family audiences. The Hindi version led with ₹58.15 crore nett, while Tamil and Telugu versions contributed marginally.
- Occupancy Rates: On Monday, the film recorded an overall 19.15% Hindi occupancy, with night shows at 27.42% performing best, while morning shows lagged at 8.73%. In contrast, Sunday saw a robust 50.70% Hindi occupancy, with evening shows reaching 72.31%. Tamil and Telugu occupancies remained low, at 16.22% and 16.60% on Saturday, respectively.
- Worldwide Earnings: By day three, the film had grossed ₹95.75 crore worldwide, including ₹69.75 crore gross in India and ₹26 crore overseas. It ranked #8 globally, outperforming films like Kuberaa and Materialists, but trailed behind major Hollywood releases. The film is poised to cross ₹100 crore worldwide soon.
- Comparison to Past Films: Sitaare Zameen Par has outperformed Laal Singh Chaddha’s lifetime domestic collection but falls short of Aamir’s blockbusters like Dangal (₹374.43 crore) and PK (₹340.8 crore). It is now Aamir’s 9th highest-grossing film in India, overtaking Rang De Basanti, and marks Genelia Deshmukh’s highest-grossing film, surpassing Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (₹55.36 crore).
- Theatrical Strategy: The film follows a strictly theatrical release policy, with no immediate plans for an OTT release, as per Bollywood Hungama. Aamir Khan has emphasized the theatrical experience, aiming to revive cinema-going post-pandemic. This strategy, however, puts pressure on the film to sustain box office performance without the safety net of streaming revenue.
Box Office Analysis and Industry Context
Sitaare Zameen Par opened to a modest ₹11.7 crore nett on its first day, matching Laal Singh Chaddha’s opening but falling short of expectations for an Aamir Khan film, given his history of blockbusters like Dangal and 3 Idiots.
The film’s niche appeal, focusing on a sensitive topic like intellectual disabilities, and its non-commercial genre limited its mass-market potential compared to action-driven releases like Sikandar (₹26 crore worldwide on day one) or Raid 2 (₹25.70 crore).
The weekend saw significant growth, with a 88.79% jump on Saturday and a 41.76% Hindi occupancy on Sunday, fueled by positive reviews praising the film’s emotional depth and Aamir’s performance.
India.com’s review highlighted, “Sitaare Zameen Par is a true example of how one should deal with sensitive topics such as Down syndrome… a typical Aamir Khan-style film that perfectly balances humour and emotions.”
However, posts on X reflected mixed sentiments, with some users labeling the Monday drop as “alarmingly low” and questioning the film’s reliance on corporate bookings for weekend numbers.
The film faced competition from Housefull 5, which, despite being in its third week, continued to draw audiences in mass-dominated centers.
Sitaare Zameen Par performed better in urban multiplexes, particularly in metropolitan areas, where family audiences and Aamir’s loyal fanbase drove footfall.
Critical Reception and Audience Response
Critics have lauded Sitaare Zameen Par for its sensitive portrayal of neurodivergent individuals and its blend of comedy and compassion. The Times of India rated it 3.5/5, noting, “If Taare Zameen Par had the soul, Sitaare Zameen Par brings the spirit.
It’s a heartwarming family watch that blends comedy, compassion, and charm.” India Today echoed this, praising its “heartfelt simplicity and humour” while acknowledging its straightforward narrative.
However, Hindustan Times criticized the slow first half, stating, “The first half is slow and tests your patience… but the film miraculously finds its groove post-intermission.”
Audience feedback has been largely positive, with the film dubbed a “well-intentioned” effort.
Social media buzz highlighted Aamir’s engagement with fans, including surprise theatre visits and interactions with co-stars, which boosted the film’s visibility.
Salman Khan’s gesture of stopping a bodyguard from pushing a child at a screening and Shah Rukh Khan’s visit to the set further amplified its appeal.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The Monday drop of 74% from Sunday is a red flag, as sustained weekday collections are critical for a film to achieve a long theatrical run, especially with a budget smaller than Aamir’s typical blockbusters.
The film’s reliance on word-of-mouth and lack of a mass-appeal genre may limit its reach in smaller centers, where Housefull 5 continues to dominate.
However, Sitaare Zameen Par has already achieved milestones, including surpassing Laal Singh Chaddha’s lifetime collection and becoming Genelia’s biggest box office success.
With a projected first-week collection of around ₹83 crore, the film is on track for an “average” performance, per trade analysts.
To cross the ₹100 crore nett mark in India, it must stabilize weekday earnings, leveraging its strong urban appeal and positive reviews.
The film’s global performance, with ₹95.75 crore by day three, suggests international audiences are responding well, particularly in markets like the US and Canada.
Upcoming weekdays will be crucial, as sustained double-digit collections could push it toward a respectable lifetime total of ₹150-200 crore domestically, though earlier X posts estimating ₹250-300 crore appear overly optimistic given the Monday dip.
Sitaare Zameen Par has delivered a solid opening weekend, cementing Aamir Khan’s comeback after a three-year hiatus and reinforcing his knack for meaningful storytelling.
However, the sharp Monday drop to ₹8.5 crore nett highlights the challenges of sustaining momentum for a niche film in a competitive market.
With a total of ₹66.65 crore nett in India and nearly ₹100 crore worldwide, the film remains a success relative to its modest budget and sensitive subject matter.
As it navigates the weekdays, Sitaare Zameen Par’s ability to retain family audiences and capitalize on its emotional resonance will determine whether it can emulate the enduring legacy of Taare Zameen Par.
For now, the film stands as a testament to Aamir’s commitment to cinema that entertains and enlightens, even if its box office journey faces hurdles.
