After much hype, Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh's starrer Sitaare Zameen Par is finally set to release in the theatres. According to reports, the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) issued a U/A 13+ certificate for the film on Monday, following a lengthy deliberation. The CBFC suggested some changes to the film, which Aamir Khan, the film's producer, refused to make. However, a Revising Committee of the Board recommended a list of fresh changes that met the makers midway and cleared the film for screening, resulting in the issue of a U/A 13+ certificate, which means all age groups can watch the film, but parental discretion is advised for children under 13 years.
5 Changes recommended by CBFC
The new list of changes, which were accepted by the filmmakers, included 5 major suggestions that were made due to various factors, like political sensitivity. The Revising Committee consisted of a team of nine members and was led by a prominent theatre director, Waman Kendre.
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PM Modi’s quote to be added
One of the major changes that was made in the movie was the addition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's quote, in which he is referencing the year 2047, at the very beginning of the film. Reports suggest that PM Modi’s quote was inserted after the film’s opening disclaimer and was also altered according to the board’s directions.
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Replace ‘Business woman’ with ‘Business person’
Another change suggested by CBFC included replacing the term ‘business woman’ with a more gender neutral term, ‘business person'.
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Change the Disclaimer
The Censor Board of Film Certification also recommended that the makers substitute the 30-second disclaimer at the beginning of the film with a 26-second voice-over.
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Replace ‘Michael Jackson’ with ‘Lovebirds’
The mention of pop icon Michael Jackson in the subtitles of the film was also recommended to be replaced with the word ‘lovebirds’ by the Censor Board.
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‘Kamal’ to be removed
A scene of the film, which included a visual of ‘lotus’ and a mention of the word ‘kamal’ in the subtitle, was ordered to be omitted or modified, citing that it could be politically sensitive.
Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by RS Prasanna, starring Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh in lead roles, was then issued a U/A 13+ Certificate by the board, indicating that all of these changes were accepted by the makers. As per reports, the estimated length of the film is 2 hours, 38 minutes and 46 seconds as mentioned on the certificate.
The movie is now all set to release on the big screen on 20 June 2025. The film, being a remake of a 2018 Spanish film, titled Champions, previously faced backlash from netizens questioning its originality. It revolves around a basketball coach who is required to teach basketball to a team of neurodivergent individuals as a part of court-mandated community service. However, Aamir Khan has decided not to release the film on OTT platforms. Fans might not be able to enjoy the film in the comfort of their home, but for now, nothing is final.
So, get ready to enjoy another spiritual sequel to ‘Taare Zameen Par’ by Aamir Khan, who is making his comeback after almost 3 years with this heart-touching, emotional yet comedic drama. Let’s see if this sequel will have as much impact as ‘Taare Zameen Par’, a heart-touching story of a dyslexic kid that has a special place in the heart of all viewers.