The collaboration between R. S. Prasanna and Aamir Khan for “Sitaare Zameen Par” took shape after Prasanna was motivated to approach the renowned actor, believing only Khan could deliver the emotional depth the project demanded. The Aamir Khan Sitaare Zameen Par collaboration, announced after years of anticipation, tells the story of 10 specially-abled children who offer new perspectives to their basketball coach, portrayed by Khan, with the film releasing nationwide on June 20, 2025.
Prasanna recounted how the opportunity to work with Aamir Khan was something he barely dared to imagine, stating,
“The first time I officially met Aamir Khan was for this movie, about four or five years ago. In one of our early meetings, I told him, ‘Sir, there are some dreams one doesn’t even dare to dream, they’re not even within the syllabus of dreams. You are one such person. Because one doesn’t even dare to dream of directing Aamir Khan. That kind of thing has to happen from the other side.’”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
Personal Memories Paved the Way for Connection
Reflecting on his personal history with Aamir Khan’s contributions to cinema, Prasanna spoke about witnessing Khan’s humility years earlier, saying,
“When Aamir Sir won the Best Debut Director award for Taare Zameen Par, it was presented by a beautiful family foundation, the Gollapudi Srinivas Award in Chennai. This was back in 2007. He usually doesn’t attend award functions, but he came for this one because the award was started by a family who lost their son while he was making his debut film. It was an emotional moment.”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
He further described the scene, adding,
“Legends of Tamil cinema were present, Balachander sir among them, and Aamir sir was on stage. There was a massive crowd outside the auditorium who couldn’t get in. I was one of those kids standing outside. I remember seeing Aamir Khan and thinking, ‘Wow, he’s so humble.’ Years later, I shared that story with him and said, ‘That kid who couldn’t even get into the venue is now sitting across from you, sharing a room. It’s just God’s blessing.’”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
Pitching the Vision and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Prasanna’s journey to bring Aamir Khan onto “Sitaare Zameen Par” began with direct outreach. He explained,
“Actually, I reached out. His manager at the time, Shamath, got in touch after Shubh Mangal Saavdhan and said they liked my work. He asked if I had anything to pitch for Aamir to produce. I hesitantly asked, ‘I don’t want to sound presumptuous, but can I pitch something for Aamir Khan to act in?’”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
The answer from Khan’s team was open-minded and encouraging. Prasanna recalled being told,
“Why not? Aamir sir has no formula as such. You never know.”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director (relaying conversation)
Behind the scenes, Prasanna had constructed a lengthy career plan, assuming multiple rejections before Khan might consider his pitch. He admitted,
“In my mind, I’d built a 10-year plan. I thought he’d reject me multiple times before I even got a chance. But I had only one person in mind for this story, Aamir Khan. As a producer, a superstar, an actor, and above all, a human being. The story needed someone sensitive and compassionate, someone with the emotional depth that Aamir brings both on and off-screen. He ticked all the boxes. Then came the self-doubt. I thought, ‘If Aamir Khan is the only choice, and I’m a director with just one film, this may never happen.’ I was sinking into despair.”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
An Unusual Call That Changed Everything
The pivotal moment in the casting came unexpectedly while Prasanna was at home in Chennai. Casual and unprepared, he received a surprise video call from Aamir Khan. Despite the informal circumstances, Khan’s warmth was unmistakable. Khan asked,
“I really love this. I want to embark on this journey with you. But first, tell me why you want to tell this story. Tell me about yourself.”
—Aamir Khan, Actor
Prasanna was struck by Khan’s ability to foster comfort and openness, reflecting,
“Within two minutes, he made me feel so comfortable. He has that extraordinary ability to put people at ease, it’s a rare quality.”
—R. S. Prasanna, Director
A Spiritual Sequel to a Classic
“Sitaare Zameen Par” is not just a standalone film; it is viewed by many as a spiritual successor to Aamir Khan’s earlier hit “Taare Zameen Par” from 2007. This connection shaped audience anticipation and informed how Prasanna approached casting and storytelling, seeking to retain the sensitivity and compassion that made the original resonate with so many.
The new film’s focus on ten specially-abled children mirrors the emotional themes for which both Khan and the previous film are well known. In the words of Gurpal Singh, who appears in “Sitaare Zameen Par,” the children featured in the film
“don’t differentiate and provide unconditional love to everyone, they don’t carry the baggage that we do”
—Gurpal Singh, Actor. This emphasis on empathy and acceptance serves as a bridge between the two films, reinforcing the significance of Khan’s involvement.
The Impact and What Lies Ahead for Bollywood
The partnership between Prasanna and Khan, which is at the heart of the Aamir Khan Sitaare Zameen Par collaboration, represents a meeting of creative minds driven by compassion and a belief in stories that inspire. Their joint effort is expected to further conversations within the Bollywood industry about inclusivity, sensitivity, and the value of looking beyond traditional casting and narratives.
With Prasanna-led direction and Khan’s participation, “Sitaare Zameen Par” is poised for significant cultural and emotional impact. As Bollywood continues to evolve, the film’s focus on underrepresented voices and its rootedness in shared humanity may set a precedent for future collaborative projects. Fans and industry watchers will be looking to see how this anticipated release will influence attitudes and choices within the Indian film fraternity and audience at large.
