Aamir Khan envisions families, students, and others who might skip the theatre due to cost being able to watch his work from home without resorting to illegal downloads.
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Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has taken a bold step to curb online piracy of his latest release, ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, while also aiming to make cinema more affordable for a wider audience on YouTube.
In a conversation with news agency ANI on Wednesday, Khan detailed his anti-piracy measures and introduced a new pay-per-view model that could change how films reach viewers at home.
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Khan revealed that he has deployed dedicated anti-piracy teams whose sole task is to track down and remove illegal copies of his film from the internet.
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“We have appointed anti-piracy teams who remove pirated links from the internet,” he explained.
To further discourage piracy of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, Khan announced a pay-per-view system on his official YouTube channel, Aamir Khan Talkies. Starting August 1, viewers will be able to watch ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ online for just ₹100.
“The pay-per-view model I’m introducing, where people can watch a film for ₹100, may help reduce piracy,” he said, adding that this approach offers hope to writers, directors, actors, and technicians by giving them new avenues to share their work.
Khan was quick to point out that this online option will not replace the traditional cinema experience. “It will not bring any change to the theatre chain because the experience is completely different,” he noted.
When asked about steep ticket and concession prices at multiplexes, Khan offered a straightforward analogy. He compared watching a film in a multi-screen cinema to dining in a five-star hotel.
“Multiplexes have been made since 2005–2006. Their investments are very high, especially in big cities where rent is expensive,” he said. “They offer high-level convenience and a posh environment. That’s why the cost of tickets and even tea is much higher, just like in a five-star hotel.” According to Khan, this elegant setting comes with extra costs that naturally get passed on to the audience.
Khan emphasized that the new model is designed with price-sensitive viewers in mind. “Most multiplexes, though not all, have become very posh. Until you have a certain economic earning, you won’t be able to go there,” he explained. “My audience includes people who can’t afford this posh environment. I want to reach them so everyone can enjoy cinema.”
By offering ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ online at an accessible price, Khan hopes to democratize movie-going. He envisions families, students, and others who might skip the theatre due to cost being able to watch his work from home without resorting to illegal downloads.
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