Sitaare Zameen Par Release Stalled Over CBFC Cut Dispute

Just when everything seemed on track for Aamir Khan’s next big release, Sitaare Zameen Par, a sharp bump has thrown the film’s India rollout into uncertainty. The issue? A certification clash with the CBFC — and it’s not just a minor delay.

The film was submitted to the board on June 12, but after two days of review, the CBFC pushed back with a request for two cuts. What exactly those cuts involve hasn’t been disclosed. That, in itself, is part of the frustration.

A Film With Heart, But Now a Roadblock

Directed by R S Prasanna and co-produced by Aamir Khan and Aparna Purohit, Sitaare Zameen Par is a sports comedy-drama with emotional stakes — a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par from 2007, but this time framed around a troubled basketball coach training a team of specially-abled children. It’s adapted from the 2018 Spanish film Champions and stars Genelia Deshmukh opposite Aamir.

The movie’s release was locked for June 20, and theatres were preparing to open advance bookings this weekend. But without the CBFC greenlight, no ticketing can go live in India. That means promotions and screen allocations are now in limbo.

No to Cuts, Yes to Trouble

Both Aamir Khan and R S Prasanna reportedly refused to make the suggested edits, calling them detrimental to the story. As per reports from Koimoi and Bollywood Hungama, they feel those scenes are integral — not decorative — and chopping them would distort the film’s message.

So far, there’s been no official word on what content the CBFC flagged. Industry sources hint at scenes involving possibly sensitive phrasing or thematic discomfort — but nothing has been confirmed.

Interestingly, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) had no such concerns. On the same day the CBFC was still deliberating, the BBFC cleared the film with a 12A rating, citing only “moderate sex references and discrimination” — a standard tag for films dealing with diversity narratives.

UK Is Set, India Still Waiting

With the UK and international release cleared, AA Films is on track to push the movie in overseas markets as planned. But PVR Inox, which is distributing it in India, is holding all release material until the certification clears.

According to Republic World and News24, Aamir Khan is set to meet again with the CBFC on June 15, hoping to strike a middle ground. If that doesn’t happen quickly — say, by Monday — the window for advance bookings may close, and the release schedule could get shuffled.

Industry Is Watching Closely

The standoff has become a talking point across the trade. “It’s not common for a mainstream Aamir Khan film to run into certification trouble this close to release,” one Mumbai-based exhibitor told Pinkvilla. “No one’s sure what the board’s issue is — but the delay is already causing backend hiccups.”

Filming for Sitaare Zameen Par wrapped last year, with production taking place in Mumbai, Delhi, and Vadodara over several months. It’s a big-budget project with a runtime of 155 minutes and expectations riding high — especially after Aamir’s previous outing, Laal Singh Chaddha, received a lukewarm response.

What Happens If It Doesn’t Clear?

If the CBFC doesn’t issue a certificate by June 16, exhibitors will have no choice but to delay bookings — a serious blow to pre-release momentum. Marketing teams, already prepped to roll out citywide promotions, are on standby. No certification means no final DCP print distribution, and that alone can cost the film prime screens.

While this isn’t the first time the CBFC has hit pause on a release, the silence around the specific objections is raising eyebrows. Why no details? Why the radio silence from both camps? It’s anyone’s guess.

For now, the clock is ticking — and the industry’s watching every move.

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