Aamir Khan released his hit film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ directly on YouTube.When asked about this decision during a chat with IANS, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey said that in the entertainment industry, there’s always pressure to keep proving yourself.When asked if he would consider a similar release strategy in the future, Neeraj responded with a smile, saying, “You’ll have to ask Aamir that.”
Neeraj Pandey on industry pressure
Talking to IANS, he shared, he shared, “We constantly have to prove ourselves every Friday- if not to them, then to the audience. So, let’s let go of the illusion, or rather, the dillusion that we don’t have to prove anything – every Friday is a litmus.”
Aamir Khan on YouTube release
Reflecting on his decision to release ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ exclusively on YouTube, Aamir Khan shared that he has been thinking about this for the past 15 years. He explained that many people either don’t have access to theatres or can’t make it there for various reasons. For him, releasing the film online was a way to reach those audiences. He added that the timing finally felt right the perfect storm, as he called it, had arrived.
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Why YouTube was the right choice
He explained that with the rise of UPI, India leading in electronic payments, and the rapid growth of internet access across the country, the time felt right to release ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ on YouTube. He pointed out that since YouTube is available on most devices, it allows them to reach a much wider audience, not just across India but globally as well.
Making cinema accessible to all
The ‘3 Idiots’ actor shared that his ultimate dream is for cinema to be available to everyone at a reasonable and affordable price.
Aamir hopes to break barriers with accessible cinema
The actor expressed his hope that people should be able to watch films whenever and wherever they want. He believes that if this idea of online releases works, it will open the door for storytellers to share diverse stories without being limited by location or other barriers. It could also give a big boost to young and upcoming talent in the film industry. For Aamir, if this model succeeds, it’s a win-win for everyone.