Aamir Khan’s highly awaited film, Sitaare Zameen Par, released its trailer some time ago and has already gone viral—not only because of the emotional content, but also because of a fledgling online boycott campaign. While the film is receiving much acclaim for its cross-cultural casting and substantive subject, the #BoycottSitaareZameenPar hashtag has started to take off on social media platform X (previously Twitter).

The Bollywood star’s return to the screen, following the disappointing outing of Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022, is accompanied by a film billed as the spiritual sequel to his 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par. Yet, the online response reflects a stark contrast between appreciation for the message of the movie and political anger based on previous controversies.

A Spiritual Sequel With a New Perspective

Sitaare Zameen Par is a new story where Khan is a basketball coach who has been ordered by court to coach a team of mentally challenged players. This is a change from his previous role in Taare Zameen Par, where he was a sympathetic teacher assisting a child with undiagnosed dyslexia.

The new teaser has hit an emotional note among viewers. On YouTube, where the teaser was unveiled, the reaction has been resounding. The official clip crossed the 13 million mark in just 12 hours.

People came out in support of the casting of real people with intellectual disabilities rather than actors faking them. A user commented, “The best thing about this movie is that they have casted real people. No one is acting to be a down syndrome or an autistic. That’s so refreshing to watch.”

Another pointed to the emotional richness of the movie, saying, “1st PART: A student gets fixed by an extraordinary teacher. 2nd PART: A teacher gets fixed by some extraordinary Students.”

A Moving Impression on Parents and Families

The trailer struck a particularly personal chord with parents of special-needs children. Many wrote earnest comments regarding their own experiences.

One of the parents commented, “My Daughter has Autism Spectrum Disorder. Film such a great inspiration for parents like us. I am so grateful to God for selecting me to nurture my angel daughter. Thanks Amir sir for creating attention and awareness on the subject. Child is not disabled, they are just different and very very special.”

Another viewer echoed the sentiment: “My son is on autism spectrum, the trailer made me cry and laugh together. Hope this movie brings some awareness and respect for children’s and individuals who are with special needs. all the best.”

These reactions demonstrate the emotional depth that the film holds, and the hope it could bring more visibility and awareness to people with intellectual and developmental differences.

The Boycott Campaign Goes Viral on Social Media

In spite of the encouraging feedback, a corresponding effort to boycott the film has also appeared on X. Screenshots of the movie with the phrase “Boycott” cut into the images were shared extensively along with the hashtag #BoycottSitaareZameenPar.

जो टर्की का यार है वो देश का गद्दार है, सितारे जमीं पर, इसको जमीन पर ही लाना है #BoycottTurkey #BoycottSitaareZameenPar pic.twitter.com/LfdcVjQ7m8

— Shubhangi Pandit (@Babymishra_) May 14, 2025

Remember when Aamir Khan had gone to Turkey & Met the Turkish First Lady?? So Now you know what has to be done with his latest movie Sitare Zameen Par#SitareZameenPartrailer #BoycottTurkey #BoycottSitaareZameenPar pic.twitter.com/qcnLWyaaAk

— Rosy (@rose_k01) May 13, 2025

The reason for this backlash doesn’t seem to be connected with the storyline of the film. Aamir Khan’s visit to Turkey in 2020, during which he was clicked with First Lady Emine Erdogan, was given as a reference by a number of users. Khan was on location shoots of Laal Singh Chaddha in Turkey during that time. The encounter generated controversy then and is back now with current geo-political tensions.

Turkey’s Recent Stand on India-Pakistan Conflict

Fury against Khan has mounted with recent events surrounding Turkey’s political position. India-Pakistan relations have strained following India’s retaliatory missile action under “Operation Sindoor” in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists.

Turkey has openly stood with Pakistan in this escalation, and Indian citizens have criticized it online. This wider disapproval has also reached other Turkish organizations, such as Turkish Airlines, which were called for boycott by Indian users.

The revival of Khan’s photo with Turkey’s First Lady has again brought criticism, with many accusing him of insensitivity to national interests.

Aamir Khan Speaks on Pahalgam Attack

Amidst increasing demands for a boycott, Aamir Khan spoke out against the Pahalgam tragedy. He condemned the tragedy and identified with the victims and their families.

We need justice and assurance that it won’t happen again, we believe in our govt, they’ll take actions on whoever has done this and bring them to justice – #AamirKhan on Pahalgam terrorist attack. pic.twitter.com/HQu2sTE6Nc

— Syed (@aamirsspk) May 10, 2025

“Humein justice chahiye… Aur hum chahte hain ki aage aisa na ho, toh uske liye kadam uthaya jaaye (We want justice… and we want steps to be taken to ensure that this does not happen again),” Khan stated.

He also went on to say, “Mujhe yakeen hai ki sarkar aise saare kadam uthayegi jahan humein justice mile. Jinhone ye jo galat kaam kiya hai, they should be brought to justice (I am sure that the government will take all the necessary steps so that we get justice. Those who have done the wrong, they should be brought to justice).”

These comments are designed to reassert his position on national security as a way of reconnecting with the portion of the audience that feels betrayed by his previous actions.

A Complicated Reception for a Film about Inclusivity

The divided reaction to Sitaare Zameen Par presents a complex picture of entertainment today. On the one side, the movie seems set to leave an impactful impression by bringing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities into view through realistic portrayal.

Conversely, ongoing political frustration and social media activism are shaping public reception of the film. The intersection of past controversies and fresh geopolitical strains has spawned a boycott campaign, even as the trailer still tugs at the heartstrings. Though the artistic value and emotional resonance of the film cannot be denied to most, its box office success may still be impacted by how far the sentiment of the boycott seeps in.

As Sitaare Zameen Par heads toward its theatrical release, the nation watches closely. It’s a film that has struck a powerful emotional chord, especially with families of neurodiverse individuals. But it’s also navigating the stormy waters of digital-age controversy where public memory, politics, and perception often blur the line between art and ideology.

Aamir Khan’s newest venture can yet turn out to show that a real message, robust performances, and genuine representation are enough to win through the noise—if audiences will let them.