Aamir Khan reveals his strategy to tackle rising piracy issues amid 'Sitaare Zameen Par' YouTube release: 'We have appointed anti-piracy teams...'

Aamir Khan has addressed the issue of online piracy and his film’s unconventional release route. During a press conference on Wednesday, he confirmed that his latest release, 'Sitaare Zameen Par', will be made available through a pay-per-view model on YouTube from August 1. The film, which released in cinemas on June 20, will not premiere on any OTT platform, making this a significant shift in how mainstream Bollywood films reach audiences post-theatrical release.

Anti-piracy teams to safeguard film

Aamir stressed that the fight against piracy remains a top priority for his team. Speaking to ANI, he said,
"We have appointed anti-piracy teams who remove pirated links from the internet... The pay-per-view model I'm introducing, where people can watch a film for Rs 100, may help reduce piracy... It also gives some hope to creative people... It will not bring any change to the theatre chain because the experience is completely different..." This initiative is part of his larger plan to make films more accessible and reduce the financial burden on cinema lovers.

Direct YouTube release after theatrical run

'Sitaare Zameen Par', a spiritual sequel to 'Taare Zameen Par', continues Aamir Khan’s commitment to socially-driven stories. The film sees him playing a basketball coach who trains a team of neurodivergent children. Co-starring Genelia Deshmukh, the film opened in theatres on June 20 and earned praise for its heartwarming narrative.

Now, instead of following the traditional OTT route post its theatrical run, Khan has opted for a pay-per-view release on the official Aamir Khan Talkies YouTube channel. Audiences will be able to rent and watch the film for just Rs 100, a decision that Aamir believes could be game-changing for both viewers and creators.

Aamir apologises for misleading audience

At the press event, Aamir Khan also addressed the backlash he received for claiming during earlier promotions that the film would not release on YouTube. When questioned about the shift in strategy, Khan admitted he had not been fully honest at the time. He explained, "I fold my hands and apologise because I lied when I said Sitaare Zameen Par wouldn’t be released on YouTube. I did it because I had no other choice. I had to protect the film’s theatrical business."