Aamir Khan Talkies unveiled the trailer of its much-anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par on May 13, 2025, and social media is buzzing with reactions. Promoted as a spiritual successor to the beloved Taare Zameen Par, this new release, though unrelated in storyline, explores similar themes—every child is special and the intricate world of child psychology.
The trailer struck an emotional chord with many. But just as excitement peaked, a section of the internet wasn’t too thrilled. Eagle-eyed netizens were quick to point out that Sitaare Zameen Par bears a striking resemblance to the 2023 Hollywood film Champions, which itself was adapted from the 2018 Spanish hit Campeones.
Aamir’s Comeback Route: The Remake Formula
This isn’t Aamir Khan’s first venture into remakes. We last saw him take on a faithful adaptation of the Oscar-winning Forrest Gump in the form of Laal Singh Chaddha. Despite featuring A-list stars like Aamir and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the film failed to capture the emotional impact of the original and fell short of expectations at the box office.
Now, Sitaare Zameen Par marks another attempt at reclaiming that cinematic glory. Fans quickly noted its similarity to Campeones, a feel-good sports drama about a disgraced coach training a team of individuals with intellectual disabilities. The film was moderately successful in Spain and later remade in Hollywood as Champions starring Woody Harrelson and directed by Bobby Farrelly. While Champions received mixed reviews and modest commercial returns, it didn’t quite become a blockbuster.
Which raises the million-dollar question:
What Hollywood couldn’t crack—can Bollywood finally get right?
Sitaare Zameen Par: Indian Soul, Global Story
Directed by RS Prasanna and written by Divya Nidhi Sharma, the film appears to offer a distinctly Indian take on the original storyline. From cultural cues to emotional beats, the adaptation seems thoughtfully tailored for the Indian audience.
What’s more exciting is that this marks the first on-screen collaboration between Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh, adding a fresh dynamic to the film’s emotional arc. Genelia, returning to Hindi cinema after a hiatus, plays the female lead, while Aamir essays the role of a once-renowned basketball coach sentenced by the court to train a team of differently-abled players as part of his redemption.
The trailer is already trending at #1 on YouTube India, and initial reactions suggest the screenplay feels grounded, inspiring, and hopeful.
Past Allegations Still Linger
Despite the optimism, some shadows loom. Aamir Khan Productions was previously accused of stealing the core concept behind the critically acclaimed Laapataa Ladies, though no concrete proof ever emerged. With Sitaare Zameen Par, critics are once again questioning the line between inspiration and imitation.
Still, it’s worth noting that this is an official adaptation, and if early visuals are anything to go by, the film seems more than just a copy-paste job.
While the “copycat” debate continues, Sitaare Zameen Par may turn out to be the redemption arc Bollywood didn’t know it needed. With a powerful cast, sensitive subject matter, and high production value, Aamir Khan might just prove the skeptics wrong.
So, what do you think?
Is Sitaare Zameen Par another classic in the making or just another feather in the cap of Hollywood remakes?
