Bollywood actor Aamir Khan’s upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par is facing a wave of online outrage just hours after its trailer launched on YouTube. The hashtag #BoycottSitaareZameenPar has quickly trended on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), with netizens reviving older controversies and connecting them to the current geopolitical climate.
🎬 What Is Sitaare Zameen Par About?
Touted as a spiritual sequel to 2007’s acclaimed Taare Zameen Par, the new film follows the story of a court-sentenced basketball coach (played by Aamir Khan) who trains a team of intellectually disabled players. The trailer, filled with themes of empathy and inclusion, has received praise from some quarters for highlighting neurodivergence and promoting representation.
But despite its progressive premise, the film has run into a fresh wave of backlash.
Why the Boycott Call?
The controversy stems largely from Aamir Khan’s 2020 meeting with Turkey’s First Lady, Emine Erdogan, during his visit to Istanbul for the shooting of Laal Singh Chaddha. At the time, Turkey was seen as maintaining close ties with Pakistan, including during periods of heightened tension with India.
Now, amid recent cross-border hostilities, particularly Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliation after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Turkey’s open show of support to Pakistan has reignited public sentiment against Turkish-linked businesses and personalities associated with them.
What’s Turkey Got to Do With It?
On May 7, India launched precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. Days later, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan, speaking to PM Shehbaz Sharif and backing Islamabad’s “calm and restrained” approach.
Many Indians have asked IndiGo to break its ties with Turkish Airlines. (Photo Credits: X) This show of support from Turkey led to #BoycottTurkishAirlines trending earlier this week, with many Indians calling for airlines like IndiGo to sever codeshare ties with Turkish Airlines. The anger has since spilled over into the entertainment world, with Aamir Khan becoming a symbolic target due to his past associations.
Netizens React
Social media is buzzing with images of the Sitaare Zameen Par poster plastered with the word “Boycott”, and users questioning Khan’s patriotic stance. Many argued that Indian audiences should prioritize national interest over celebrity admiration, especially when past actions appear tone-deaf in light of current events.
“When Turkey supports those who harm our nation, how can we support films linked to them, even indirectly?” wrote one user on X.
🎥 Will This Impact the Film?
Despite the online noise, it’s too early to predict how this digital boycott will affect the film’s box office performance. Similar campaigns in the past — such as against Laal Singh Chaddha — did see a dip in viewership, but industry experts say that strong storytelling and positive word-of-mouth could still win over audiences.
For now, Sitaare Zameen Par finds itself in a precarious position — a film that aspires to break stigma, caught in the crossfire of global politics and digital outrage.
🎬 Sitaare Zameen Par Trailer Resonates with YouTube Audience
On YouTube, where the film’s official trailer was released on Tuesday, the response was overwhelmingly positive. In just 12 hours, the trailer garnered over 13 million views, with the comment section brimming with emotion, gratitude, and hope, especially from parents and families of children with special needs.
Here are just a few standout responses:
“The best thing about this movie is that they have casted real people. No one is acting to be a person with Down syndrome or autism. That’s so refreshing to watch.”
“1st PART: A student gets fixed by an extraordinary teacher.
2nd PART: A teacher gets fixed by some extraordinary students.”
“My daughter is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Films like this are so inspiring for parents like us. Thank you, Aamir sir, for bringing awareness to this topic. Children are not disabled — they are just different, and very, very special.”
“My son is on the autism spectrum. The trailer made me cry and laugh at the same time. I hope this movie brings awareness and respect for individuals with special needs. All the best!”
These heartfelt reactions show that, beyond hashtags and political noise, the film is striking a personal chord with real families across India.
