Aamir Khan's 'Sitaare Zameen Par' on YouTube
The release of 'Sitaare Zameen Par' on YouTube marks a significant shift in content distribution, with Khan's pay-per-view model potentially paving the way for emerging filmmakers to reach a wider audience while maintaining economic viability.
Aamir Khan has apologized for initially denying that his film 'Sitaare Zameen Par' would be released on YouTube, revealing that it will be available on the platform starting August 1, 2025, for a pay-per-view price of Rs 100.
The decision to release the film on YouTube is a strategic move by Khan, who prefers the pay-per-view model over subscription-based services, believing it will be more beneficial for the film industry. He also expressed his views on the OTT release debate, stating that releasing films on OTT after their theatrical run has not been beneficial for the industry.
The film, a spiritual successor to Khan's 2007 classic "Taare Zameen Par", will be available for rent in 38 international markets, in addition to India. Khan's decision is seen as a calculated bet on democratizing content consumption, as he believes subscription-based streaming services are not economically viable for films. The success of this model will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for emerging filmmakers in India's prolific film industry.
Khan plans to leverage this distribution model to support emerging talent, taking only a small commission while passing on larger profits to the creators. This collaboration represents YouTube's growing ambitions in premium content distribution, positioning itself as a viable alternative to traditional streaming services.