Aamir Khan’s much-anticipated film, Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual sequel to the 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, hit theaters on June 20, 2025, and has garnered attention for its heartfelt storytelling and strong performances. Directed by R.S. Prasanna and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, the sports comedy-drama has made a notable impact at the box office, despite a slow start compared to Khan’s previous blockbusters. This article explores the film’s box office performance, critical reception, and its potential trajectory over the opening weekend.
Day 1 Box Office Performance
Sitaare Zameen Par opened to a decent response, collecting an estimated ₹10.7–11.7 crore nett in India on its first day, according to industry tracker Sacnilk and other sources. The Hindi version led the earnings with approximately ₹11.5 crore, while the Tamil and Telugu dubbed versions contributed ₹0.05 crore and ₹0.15 crore, respectively. The film’s worldwide gross for Day 1 stood at around ₹20 crore, with ₹7.15 crore from overseas markets and ₹12.85 crore gross in India.
The film recorded an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 21.43% on its opening day, with night shows performing the strongest at 32.50%, followed by evening shows at 20.21%. Morning and afternoon shows saw lower occupancy at 16.74% and 16.25%, respectively. In Tamil, the occupancy was 16.21%, with night shows again leading at 23.85%. These figures indicate a gradual build-up in audience interest, particularly in urban centers like Delhi NCR and Mumbai, which contributed significantly to ticket sales.
Day 2 Sees Significant Growth
On its second day, June 21, 2025, Sitaare Zameen Par showed promising growth, collecting an estimated ₹19.72–21.5 crore nett in India, nearly doubling its opening day figures. This brought the two-day India nett total to approximately ₹30.42 crore, as per Sacnilk and Hindustan Times. The Hindi occupancy rate surged to 36.16%, with night shows reaching an impressive 56.71%. Tamil occupancy also improved to 32.21%, reflecting growing word-of-mouth traction.
The film’s strong Saturday performance suggests that positive audience feedback and critical praise are driving increased footfall, particularly in multiplexes and big cities. Trade analysts attribute this growth to the film’s emotional resonance and its appeal to family audiences, aligning with Aamir Khan’s reputation for delivering meaningful cinema.
Comparison with Other 2025 Releases
Sitaare Zameen Par secured the sixth position among Bollywood’s top Day 1 openers in 2025, with ₹11.7 crore nett, trailing behind films like Vicky Kaushal’s Chaava (₹31 crore) and Salman Khan’s Sikandar (₹26 crore). It outperformed Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 (₹15 crore worldwide) but fell short of Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 (₹25.7 crore). Compared to Aamir Khan’s previous release, Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), which also opened at ₹11.7 crore, Sitaare Zameen Par matched its Day 1 performance but is expected to surpass it over the weekend due to stronger word-of-mouth.
Unlike Aamir’s earlier blockbusters like Dangal or PK, which saw massive opening days, Sitaare Zameen Par is a word-of-mouth film, relying on its emotional narrative rather than mass appeal. Its opening is significantly higher than Taare Zameen Par’s ₹2.62 crore in 2007, which became a sleeper hit through sustained audience support.
Critical Reception and Audience Buzz
The film has received mixed-to-positive reviews, with critics praising its heartwarming narrative and the performances of its debutant actors, many of whom are specially-abled. India Today gave it 3.5 stars, noting its “heartfelt simplicity and humour,” while Filmfare awarded 4 stars, calling it a “film that teaches while it entertains.” However, some reviews, like those from The Hollywood Reporter India and The Hindu, criticized its preachy tone and simplistic storytelling.
On social media, particularly X, audiences have lauded the film’s emotional depth and the standout performances of the child actors, with some calling it the “finest film of 2025.” Posts on X highlighted Gurpal Singh as the “second hero” and praised the film’s blend of humor and life lessons. The star-studded Mumbai screening, attended by Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and others, further amplified the film’s buzz.
Box Office Outlook
Trade experts like Taran Adarsh and Girish Wankhede predict that Sitaare Zameen Par could achieve ₹30–35 crore over its opening weekend if positive word-of-mouth continues. The film’s exclusive theatrical release strategy, with no OTT premiere planned, is a bold move by Aamir Khan to revive the theatrical business, which has struggled post-pandemic. With a reported budget of ₹80 crore, the film needs to reach ₹100 crore nett in India to be deemed a hit, a target that seems achievable given its current trajectory.
The absence of major competing releases and the film’s appeal to family audiences and urban centers could drive further growth. However, its performance in smaller, tier-two, and tier-three cities may remain limited compared to mass entertainers like Housefull 5.
Conclusion
Sitaare Zameen Par has kicked off with a promising start, overcoming modest pre-release expectations to deliver a double-digit opening and strong Day 2 growth. Its emotional narrative, combined with Aamir Khan’s star power and the debut of ten specially-abled actors, positions it as a unique offering in Bollywood’s 2025 lineup. While it may not match the opening firepower of Aamir’s past blockbusters, its potential for sustained success through word-of-mouth makes it a film to watch. As the weekend progresses, all eyes are on whether Sitaare Zameen Par can cement its place as a box office success and a worthy successor to Taare Zameen Par.
