Aamir Khan Hosts Special Screening of Sitaare Zameen Par for President Droupadi Murmu
Aamir Khan hosted a special screening of Sitaare Zameen Par for President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan hosted a special screening of his highly anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par, which has significant relevance and meaning, for India’s President Droupadi Murmu.
The screening took place at the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on June 24. This was a special occasion when the arts met the highest office of the land.
Sitaare Zameen Par offers agonizing drama. Aamir portrays Gulshan, a disgraced basketball coach who finds himself with an unexpected requirement as part of his community service; he is mandated to train a team of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
This film is adapted from the 2018 Spanish film Champions and has been termed a spiritual sequel to his 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par.
The film stars Genelia Deshmukh as Sunita, Gulshan’s wife, and features ten specially-able newcomers and follows their journey into compassion, social acceptance, and courage. It brings to light how a coach and team can transcend the stereotypes imposed by society together in order to find success.
After the screening, President Murmu commended the film’s message of inclusivity. She noted that the film manages to “‘weave in the message of diversity, equity and inclusion’ and felt it was done in a very heartfelt way.” Her attendance at the screening was viewed as a strong endorsement of the film and its message.
Before this screening, Sitaare Zameen Par had premiered at multiple special events across the country. In Mumbai, top celebrities. Since then, several reviews by respected individuals have been very optimistic about the film.
Renowned author Sudha Murty described it as an “eye‑opener” and expressed how the film could impact viewers by influencing their opinions on people with disabilities.
Aamir Khan not only hosted screenings. He visited theatres unannounced, talked to audiences, and listened to their responses personally. Even a video from Aamir Khan Talkies showed him entering an auditorium unannounced, and asking the assembled crowd, “Kaesi lagi film?” and getting cheers and applause.
Earlier this month, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) asked the filmmakers to retain several changes, which included replacing the name “Michael Jackson” and adding some lines from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the opening disclaimer.
After some adjustments, the film received a U/A 13+ certificate on June 19, finally allowing the film to be released the following day on June 20.
This screening at Rashtrapati Bhavan is important for a variety of reasons. The screening of the film gained national significance as President Murmu was present.
It underscored the potential of cinema to enact social change, highlighting the topics of inclusion and equal opportunity.
By hosting the President, Aamir Khan positioned the film as more than just entertainment, but a contribution to India’s story of social change. The event conveyed that an emotionally compelling film like Sitaare Zameen Par has the potential to spark conversations, challenge bias, and inspire transformation.
From its release on June 20, Sitaare Zameen Par has already begun to deliver box office returns, exceeding the ₹100‑crore threshold globally in just a few days. Both the audience and critics have been complimenting the release’s acting, direction, and ability to combine humor with social commentary.
The presence of President Droupadi Murmu adds yet another layer of relevance to the film as a form of civic engagement. It invites its audiences to not only view it, but to take it further.
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