Aamir Khan boldly defends his film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, calling out the remake criticism as unjust and promoting Down Syndrome awareness.
In his very heated response to the criticism and backlash against the remake remarks, Aamir Khan draws parallels between all the film adaptations and Shakespeare’s plays. As he makes a comeback with ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, Khan is ready to challenge the stigma that surrounds Down Syndrome through laughter, heart, and cinematic storytelling.
Aamir Khan Hits Back at Remake Critics
Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist has publicly spoken and he’s not holding back. Aamir Khan, who is about to make his big-screen comeback with ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, has strongly defended the film amid rising criticism that it is a copy of the Spanish smash ‘Campeones’.
Khan appeared on Raj Shamani’s podcast and addressed the negative reactions to his latest project as well as his 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha, which was an official remake of Forrest Gump. He said, “After ‘Laal Singh (Chaddha)’, a lot of people told me, ‘you are making a remake again’. ‘Laal Singh’ was trolled heavily for being a remake. But I am a different kind of person. I don’t understand practical things. I don’t have any problem with a remake, and I don’t feel my creativity is diminishing at all. For me, it is new work. Someone else made this story, and I am giving it my perspective.”
He went on to compare the film remake culture to the reverence that William Shakespeare’s plays continue to get in theatres all over the world. “People still do Shakespeare to this day. Even today, the number one playwright in theatre is Shakespeare, worldwide. Even today, his plays are adapted in every language. And we praise it. Kyun bhai? Remake hai, usko band karo (Why though? It’s a remake, shut it down). Aap apna naatak likho na, Shakespeare ka kyun kar rahe ho aaj tak (You write your own play, why are you still doing Shakespeare). This is wrong thinking. When I adapt Shakespeare, I am putting my energies into it. I find this discussion on remakes useless.”
What is Down Syndrome?
Down Syndrome is a condition that is a result of the presence of an extra chromosome 21. It results in developmental delays and some physical traits. However, beyond these challenges the individuals with Down Syndrome have unique abilities and potential that go beyond their condition.
How Down Syndrome is the ‘Heart of the Story’
Beyond the remake debate, Sitaare Zameen Par conveys a powerful message. Much like ‘Taare Zameen Par’ brought attention to dyslexia, this new film takes on Down Syndrome with an empowering perspective. In the movie, Khan plays a basketball coach whose life is transformed as he mentors nine boys with special needs.
The story flips the teacher-student dynamic of ‘Taare Zameen Par’, offering a fresh, heartwarming perspective. “This one will make you laugh,” Khan told News18, contrasting it with the emotional pull of his 2007 film. Genelia Deshmukh, who is making a return, will play the lead in the film, which will be directed by RS Prasanna.
‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, which will be released on June 20, seeks to raise awareness about inclusivity and empathy while also addressing the issues that people with special needs face.
