It鈥檚 no secret that Bollywood has been struggling to pull crowds to theatres after Shah Rukh Khan鈥檚 record-breaking streak in 2023 with Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki. Since then, the momentum has dipped, with many 2024 releases failing to recreate that magic. Films like Laapataa Ladies, Munjya, and Stree 2 managed to hold the fort, but only just. In 2025, Vicky Kaushal鈥檚 Chhaava stands as the highest-grossing Hindi film so far, yet several star-driven vehicles and National Award-winning talents have failed to strike a chord. Amid this uncertain phase, Aamir Khan鈥檚 comeback with Sitaare Zameen Par, his first film after the underwhelming Laal Singh Chaddha, feels like more than just another release. If you overlook its obvious flaws, this film serves as a sincere reminder of why we love going to theatres. Sitaare Zameen Par revolves around the story of Gulshan, a temperamental basketball coach (played by Aamir Khan), who finds himself in trouble after a drunk-driving incident. As part of his court-ordered community service, he鈥檚 tasked with training a group of young adults with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. What begins as a punishment soon turns into a journey of self-realisation, not just as a coach (which he鈥檚 naturally good at), but more importantly, as a human being. Adapted from the 2018 Spanish film Campeones, the story may sound familiar, but its localised tone and performances give it a fresh and heartfelt flavour. You might not enjoy it as much if you鈥檝e seen the original, but it still stands as a win for the film industry. As far as Bollywood remakes go, it does a faithful job and, more importantly, it arrives at a time when the industry desperately needs stories that can connect. ALSO READ: Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office Collection Day 7: Aamir Khan Film Fails To Cross Rs 100 Crore Mark In First Week What makes Sitaare Zameen Par stand out is its simplicity. It doesn鈥檛 try to impress with big twists or dramatic moments. Instead, it focuses on human connections and small victories that feel real. You’re happy with them. The film reminds us that everyone has their own 鈥渘ormal,鈥 and that鈥檚 okay. Aamir Khan once again plays a flawed man on the path to redemption, a character arc we鈥檝e seen before. He might come off as over-expressive at first, but he settles into the role in the second half. His journey from dismissing the team as “paagal” to recognising their abilities is the emotional heart of the film. The youngsters, each with their personalities and struggles, are more than just supporting characters; they are the true heroes of this story, as rightly called ‘Sitaare’ The film isn鈥檛 without its shortcomings; at times, the messaging feels a bit too loud. Kartal Paaji鈥檚 constant explanations to Ram Sampath鈥檚 background score tend to spell out emotions that didn鈥檛 need to be underlined so many times. Some subplots drag, and certain dialogues feel stagey. But none of that takes away from the core message. The storytelling often leans heavily on sentiment. However, the major issue with the film’s focus never quite shifts away from Gulshan, even though the intention was clearly to spotlight the team. In trying to be about many, it still becomes a story about one. And, of course, Sitaare Zameen Par doesn鈥檛 reach the emotional finesse of Taare Zameen Par, which broke our soul but mended it too with grace. This one lacks that delicate artistry and leans more into emotional overload. Yet, by the end, it leaves you with a smile. In a time when Bollywood is struggling to bring people back to theatres, this film shows that heart, humour, and honesty still have an audience. Just like Ram Shankar Nikumbh believed in Ishaan Awasthi when no one else did, this film too reminds us of the strength that comes from trust, compassion, and giving people the chance to be seen. Or maybe Aamir Khan鈥檚 decision to release the film exclusively in theatres wasn鈥檛 just a bold move; it was a necessary one. At a time when the industry is craving revival, he chose the path less taken. Now, only time will tell if it鈥檚 the comeback Bollywood needed most. For us, it somehow put the Hindi film industry back in theatrical run!