Aamir Khan's latest film 'Sitaare Zameen Par' premiered to audiences on Friday, capturing attention from its initial trailer release with a warm reception. Even so, this unique film wasn't expected to shake the box office standards.
Three days into its theatrical journey, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' has surprised trade analysts with impressive box office numbers over the first weekend. Its opening collection began in the 10 crore range and rapidly gained momentum, placing it among Aamir's top weekend performance films. From Friday to Sunday, its earnings notably nearly tripled.
The trajectory of 'Sitaare Zameen Par' seems destined to be told as a tale for years. Initially budgeted at 80 crores, the film amassed 57 crores by the first weekend, positioning it to become a superhit. Beyond monetary success, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' eloquently answers the unsung rules of the film business that have surfaced in recent years. Let's explore this further...
1. Remakes Can Still Be Hits
Since the lockdown, over 20 remakes have flopped in Bollywood, drawing from South Indian and Hollywood sources. Films such as Akshay Kumar's 'Bachchan Pandey', Salman Khan's 'Kisi Ka Bhai, Kisi Ki Jaan', Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan's 'Vikram Vedha', and Kartik Aaryan's 'Shehzada' are reflective of this trend. Even Aamir's previous film 'Laal Singh Chaddha', a remake of the Oscar-winning 'Forrest Gump', struggled to find its footing.
Many grew skeptical about the viability of remakes, especially when 'Sitaare Zameen Par', adapted from the Spanish film 'Campeones', was announced. However, most past remakes in Bollywood were subpar and often based on widely viewed originals. 'Sitaare Zameen Par', on the other hand, rejigged its storytelling to fit Indian sensibilities, proving that with a fresh perspective, remakes can indeed capture audiences.
Source: aajtak
The original and its Hollywood rendition 'Champions' didn’t catch the attention of Hindi audiences, which allowed Aamir's version to shine with its localized touch. This success underlines that well-crafted remakes hold promise, provided the source content remains largely unfamiliar to the target audience, and the narrative is refreshed with cultural nuances.
2. Social Dramas Have Timeless Appeal
Post-lockdown, the dominance of high-budget masala entertainers created an impression that only action-laden films would thrive. Sequel success stories like KGF 2, Pushpa 2, Gadar 2, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 have dominated talks, leaving little room for other genres. The rare hits – 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Kerala Story' – dealt with political themes, lending fewer expectations to social dramas.
'Sitaare Zameen Par' arrives as a refreshing exception post-lockdown, blending comedy with a strong message. Lacking the usual box office hit formula, its striking weekend growth demonstrates the untapped potential of social dramas, rekindling interest in meaningful cinema.
3. Story Matters More Than Budget
Post-lockdown successes like Shah Rukh Khan's 'Pathaan' and 'Jawan', and Akshay Kumar's 'Samrat Prithviraj', have been high-budget spectacles. Yet Aamir’s choice of a modest 80 crore venture emphasizes a return to compelling storytelling, highlighting emotions, comedy, and social relevance.
Source: aajtak
This narrative strength defines 'Sitaare Zameen Par', sending a message that discerning viewers now demand films that resonate on an emotional level, irrespective of heroic star power or extensive budgets.
4. Social Media Negativity Doesn't Define Success
Recent years have seen a challenging phase for Aamir Khan, from 'Laal Singh Chaddha’s' reception to social media critiques on past remarks. The pressure prompted contemplation of retirement. Despite these struggles, Aamir’s conviction remains firm: social media negativity doesn’t derail good cinema.
While trolls attempted to overshadow 'Sitaare Zameen Par', positive responses to its trailer spoke volumes. Aamir's appeal for audiences to judge the film on its merits paved the way for its success, reaffirming that genuine content ultimately prevails.
5. Aamir's Star Power Endures
With some quick to declare the end of Aamir’s stardom post 'Laal Singh Chaddha', his temporary hiatus sparked further speculation. Yet, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' underscores the undiminished trust audiences place in Aamir’s vision, showcasing his commitment to socially relevant cinema.
His past works like 'Rang De Basanti', '3 Idiots', and 'Taare Zameen Par' reflect this dedication, and 'Sitaare Zameen Par' continues this legacy. Its success echoes that Aamir's strong content-driven approach will continue to draw audiences across all demographics.
Having breezed through its first box office weekend, 'Sitaare Zameen Par' signals promising days ahead. As it approaches covering its budget within the first week itself, and with no major releases on the horizon, anticipation builds around what new box office feats await.
