The Cinematic Journey of Sitaare Zameen Par: Nearing a Major Milestone
The eagerly anticipated cinematic release, Aamir Khan’s *Sitaare Zameen Par*, is on the cusp of achieving a significant box office landmark. After a robust first week, the film commenced its second weekend with impressive momentum, earning an estimated Rs 6.5 crore on its eighth day, Friday. This strong performance has propelled its total domestic collection to a substantial Rs 94.4 crore, setting the stage for it to dramatically cross the coveted Rs 100 crore mark on Saturday, its ninth day.
Audience Turnout and Regional Performance Insights
The film’s second Friday saw an overall Hindi occupancy rate of 18.43%, demonstrating a consistent build-up of audience engagement throughout the day. Morning shows registered 7.07% occupancy, steadily climbing to 15.36% in the afternoon, 20.04% in the evening, and peaking at an impressive 31.23% for night screenings. This upward trend often indicates positive word-of-mouth amplifying as the day progresses.
Regionally, Chennai continued to lead the charge with an outstanding 54.67% occupancy, showcasing a profound connection with audiences in the city. Bengaluru followed suit at 28.25%, indicating strong support for Aamir Khan’s latest venture in these southern hubs. In contrast, major metropolitan areas like the National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai trailed with 19% and 18.5% respectively, suggesting varying degrees of resonance across different markets. Interestingly, the film’s Tamil version performed exceptionally well, securing an overall occupancy of 26.05%, while the Telugu version maintained parity with Hindi at 17.68%, reflecting a broad appeal across linguistic demographics.
Global Reach and Industry Comparisons
Beyond domestic shores, *Sitaare Zameen Par* has already established a formidable international presence. Its worldwide gross, after just one week, stood at an impressive Rs 140.38 crore. This places it in close proximity to the lifetime global collections of other notable films such as *Thugs of Hindostan* (Rs 145.55 crore) and *Kesari Chapter 2* (Rs 145.73 crore), underscoring its significant global footprint. Furthermore, the film has already outpaced the lifetime box office earnings of Sunny Deol’s *Jaat*, which concluded its run at Rs 120.6 crore, marking a significant achievement in its competitive landscape.
Aamir Khan’s Vision for Theatrical Longevity
Despite the imminent competition from new releases, including the highly anticipated *F1: The Move* starring Brad Pitt and Kajol’s folk horror thriller *Maa*, Aamir Khan remains optimistic about *Sitaare Zameen Par*’s enduring appeal. The veteran actor has been a vocal proponent of extended theatrical windows, emphasizing his commitment to the traditional cinema-going experience. During the film’s promotional campaign, Khan unequivocally stated his intention to withhold *Sitaare Zameen Par* from OTT platforms for at least a year post its theatrical run. This resolve was further highlighted by his decision to decline a lucrative Rs 120 crore streaming deal, a testament to his belief in the big-screen experience and the film’s potential for sustained success.
