A manager of a prominent multiplex, speaking anonymously, shared their concerns. According to the manager, the distributors have requested that all showtimes be allocated to ‘Kantara’, effectively excluding the competing release, Karan Johar’s ‘Sunny Sankari Ki Tulsi Kumari’. This strategy is seen as a potential monopolistic trade practice, which is legally questionable.

Theaters are reportedly exploring strategies to address this situation. Plans include a meeting between producer Karan Johar and the ‘Kantara’ team over the weekend to negotiate the terms. However, the multiplex manager indicated that if the ‘Kantara’ team maintains its demand for a substantial majority of showtimes, they may be forced to withdraw ‘Sunny Sankari’ altogether.

The film is scheduled to premiere on the YouTube channel ‘Aamir Khan Talkies’ on August 1. Viewers will be required to pay Rs 100 to watch the movie. The release will extend beyond India, with availability in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Spain, with localized pricing. The film will also offer dubbed and subbed versions.

Explaining the decision, Aamir Khan shared, “For the past 15 years, I have been struggling with the challenge of how to reach audiences who do not have geographical access to theatres, or those who are unable to make it to theatres for various reasons. Finally, the time for the perfect storm has come… With our government bringing in UPI and India becoming no 1 in the world in electronic payments, with internet penetration in India having grown dramatically and growing every day, and with YouTube being on most devices, we can finally reach vast sections of people in India, and a significant part of the world.”

He added, “My dream is that Cinema should reach everyone at a reasonable and affordable price. I want people to have the ease of watching Cinema when they want, where they want. If this idea works, Creative voices can tell different stories, breaking geographical and other barriers. This will also be a great opportunity for younger creative people entering the field of Cinema. If this idea works, then I see this as a win-win for all.”

‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ features Genelia D’souza in a lead role, alongside Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishnan Varma, Vedant Sharmaa, Naman Misra, Rishi Shahani, Ashish Pendse, Samvit Desai, Simran Mangeshkar, Aayush Bhansali, Dolly Ahluwalia, Gurpal Singh, Brijendra Kala, Zeenat Hussain and Nikhat Khan in important roles.