Aamir Khan, Bollywood actor well-known for making thought-provoking films, is again in the limelight for something other than awards. His next motion picture, Sitaare Zameen Par, has come under severe scrutiny, almost as being a frame-for-frame copy of the Spanish film Champions (Campeones). There is much discussion among film enthusiasts and critics alike.
The Controversy
A little before Sitaare Zameen Par’s trailer release went viral, eagle-eyed consumers and some film critics noticed the strange similarity with the Spanish hit Champions, a heartwarming comedy about a basketball coach who trained a team of persons with intellectual disabilities. What started as mere whispers on social media soon erupted into a mainstream controversy. Deccan Herald too had the final verdict’-the film is yet another remake of a foreign picture, reportedly adding to the growing list of Bollywood unoriginal adaptations.
Aamir Khan’s History with Remakes
Aamir Khan is no stranger to remakes. His 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha was a remake of the Hollywood classic Forrest Gump. The film had mixed reviews and was criticised for not living up to it. The controversy surrounding Sitaare Zameen Par has once again reignited the debate about creativity in Indian cinema and the industry’s growing dependence on foreign scripts.
Why It Matters
Bollywood has a well-documented habit of remaking foreign films, which has received both praise and criticism. At times, remakes move Indian viewers due to their cultural nuance, while others simply miss the heart of the original. In this instance, many fans expected a more original follow-up to Aamir Khan’s classic Taare Zameen Par (2007), a film that charted a different course in depicting struggles of childhood in Indian cinema. This time, it feels like fans have been deprived of what could have been a fresh and evocative story in favour of an express version.
Social Media Reactions
The hashtag #Copywood is trending again, and users are posting side-by-side videos of scenes from Champions and Sitaare Zameen Par. Some are defending Aamir by claiming that official remakes are valid creative work, while others are demanding original content from stars with the resources and capabilities to create.
What’s Next for the Film?
Regardless of the negativity surrounding it, Sitaare Zameen Par remains one of the most highly awaited releases of the year. Whether the controversy will change its box office fate is hard to say. Controversies have either drawn interest and curiosity or cooled expectations—Laal Singh Chaddha is a more recent example of the latter.
Final Thoughts
The Sitaare Zameen Par debate points to a broader discussion on artistic originality, care for source material, and changing expectations of Indian audiences. As audiences are exposed to more global content through OTT platforms, they are becoming less tolerant of blatant copying.
If Bollywood wants to continue to be a major storytelling force, it needs to start valuing fresh ideas over adaptations of established formulas.
Do you think remakes should be allowed in modern cinema? Or is it time for a new wave of original storytelling? Let us know in the comments!
