Bollywood icon Aamir Khan is back in the eye of the storm. With his new release Sitaare Zameen Par already seeing calls for boycott, people are questioning his patriotism and earlier actions. From sitting down with Turkey’s First Lady to copying a foreign movie, let’s have a complete overview of why Aamir Khan is being targeted.
🇮🇳1. Why People Call Aamir Khan ‘Anti-National’?
The word “anti-national” has been tagged along with Aamir Khan ever since he spoke up regarding growing intolerance in India back in 2015. His remarks sparked mass outrage, and many of those accused him of being anti-national. The same feeling came back recently, particularly after his production company tweeted regarding “Operation Sindoor” after the terror attack on Pahalgam. People attacked him for being insincere in his patriotism.
🇹🇷 2. Aamir Khan’s Turkish Connection
Aamir Khan encountered Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan while filming Laal Singh Chaddha in Turkey in 2020. The encounter was criticized because of Turkey’s political alignment, particularly its backing of Pakistan regarding Kashmir. Most interpreted this encounter as a move where Khan was siding with a nation that was seen as being against India’s interests .
🤔 3. Why Did Aamir Khan’s Meeting with the Turkish First Lady Outrage Indians?
The outrage stemmed from the timing and political implications of the meeting. Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been vocal about his support for Pakistan, especially concerning Kashmir. Given this backdrop, Khan’s meeting with the First Lady was seen by many as insensitive and unpatriotic .
🎬 4. Why People are Boycotting “Sitaare Zameen Par”
There are a few reasons behind the boycott demands:
Alleged Copying: The movie is claimed to be a remake of the 2023 Hollywood movie Champions, resulting in charges of absence of creativity .
Patriotic Posts at the Wrong Time: There are claims that the patriotic posts by the production house were done after the release of the trailer, indicating a publicity gimmick and not actual feelings.
Past Controversies: Khan’s past remarks and actions, including the Turkish encounter, have come back to haunt him, leading to the boycott trend.
Changing Profile Picture: During the backlash, Aamir Khan Productions updated its social media profile picture to the Indian flag. This was seen by many as “damage control” and not an actual act of patriotism.
Social Media Trends: The hashtags #BoycottSitaareZameenPar and #BoycottAamirKhan have been trending, mirroring the dissatisfaction among the public.
Conclusion
Aamir Khan’s slide from being Bollywood’s most respected actor to being called for boycott is proof of the volatile nature of public opinion. While some come to his defense, others feel that his actions are against national interests. With Sitaare Zameen Par ready for release, one waits with bated breath to see how these controversies affect its success.
