Aamir receives standing ovation at SZP screening

Bollywood star Aamir Khan surprised audiences at a special screening of his highly anticipated film 'Sitaare Zameen Par'. At the end of the film, the actor arrived at the theatre hall to catch the first-hand audience feedback.

According to reports, he was greeted with a heartfelt standing ovation. A video doing the rounds online shows that those lucky few who had the chance to see the film, were visibly moved by Khan’s sensitive portrayal of societal issues and the emotional impact of the film, which tackles the lives of individuals with Down syndrome and autism.One attendee stated, “This movie will change perceptions towards Down syndrome and autistic people,” reflecting a shared sense of inspiration among the crowd.

Another lauded the film as being one of the best since the release of Tare Zameen Par. Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by R.S. Prasanna, stars Khan alongside Genelia Deshmukh. In addition, the film stars ten newcomers, including Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar, all of whom are specially-abled.Director Prasanna said to PTI, the experience of directing the newcomers was a rewarding one.

“This movie cannot happen without them, so it is my job to take the time and effort to teach them some of the tools that they may not have. For me, they bring a certain rawness and beauty, which is their advantage.This film is the official Hindi adaptation of the Spanish sports comedy-drama 'Champions' (2018) and continues the legacy of Khan’s 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on dyslexia, this film will reportedly centre on characters with Down syndrome and autism. According to early reports, Aamir’s character—a former basketball coach—finds redemption and growth through coaching players with special needs, offering both comedic moments and heartfelt storytelling.