Aamir Khan Reinvents The Game Again, This Time On YouTube

MUMBAI – In a bold step to make cinema more accessible, Bollywood star Aamir Khan has announced that his latest film, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, will stream exclusively on YouTube starting August 1. The film will not release on any other digital platform, marking a first-of-its-kind move in Indian film distribution.

Explaining the motivation behind the decision, Khan said the idea had been years in the making.

“For the past 15 years, I have been struggling with the challenge of how to reach audiences who do not have geographical access to theatres, or those who are unable to make it to theatres for various reasons,” he said.

He believes that the timing is finally right, thanks to digital and financial infrastructure advancements in India.

“With our government bringing in UPI and India becoming No. 1 in the world in electronic payments, with internet penetration in India having grown dramatically and growing every day, and with YouTube being on most devices, we can finally reach vast sections of people in India—and a significant part of the world.”

The actor, known for blending commercial cinema with strong social messaging, emphasized his vision of democratizing entertainment.

“My dream is that cinema should reach everyone at a reasonable and affordable price. I want people to have the ease of watching cinema when they want, where they want.”

He also highlighted the broader impact such a model could have on the film industry.

“If this idea works, creative voices can tell different stories, breaking geographical and other barriers. This will also be a great opportunity for younger creative people entering the field of cinema. If this idea works, then I see this as a win-win for all.”

Gunjan Soni, Country Managing Director at YouTube India, echoed the significance of the move for both viewers and filmmakers.

“The digital launch of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ exclusively on YouTube underscores a significant step towards democratizing Indian film distribution at a global scale,” she said.

“YouTube is already a key digital destination for premium content, and we’re excited to offer filmmakers and content owners not only our unparalleled digital reach but also the control and flexibility to meet their audiences where they are.”

“Today’s launch is far more than a release – YouTube is laying out the red carpet for Indian cinema to stride onto the global stage.” (IANS)