The highly anticipated film, Sitaare Zameen Par, is just two days away from its release, and the excitement is palpable. Following yesterday’s viral report from Bollywood Hungama regarding the censor cuts in the Aamir Khan-starrer, we now bring you details about the release strategy implemented by the makers and distributors.
An exhibition source informed Bollywood Hungama, “The distributors have sent a list of requirements to all the theaters now that the censor certificate has been obtained. According to these requirements, there will be no screenings of the film before 9:00 AM. They’ve also requested cinema halls to adopt popular weekend pricing for the film.”
Typically, major films adopt blockbuster pricing, which can lead to inflated ticket costs, but Aamir has chosen to avoid this approach to keep the film accessible for a broader audience.
The source elaborated, “The popular ticket pricing is slightly higher than regular rates, but for a big film to not opt for premium pricing is a notable decision.”
Additional details regarding screen requirements were also shared: “For single-screen theaters wishing to show the film, they must exclusively exhibit Sitaare Zameen Par without screening any other films. Two-screen cinemas need to allocate 8 shows, while multiplexes with 3, 4, 5, and 6 screens are required to host 11, 14, 16, and 19 shows daily, respectively. For 7-screen multiplexes, 22 shows are mandatory, and for 8-screen cinemas, 25 shows are required each day. Nine-screen multiplexes must offer 28 shows, while those with 10 or more screens need to provide 31 shows.”
Advance bookings for Sitaare Zameen Par opened yesterday as soon as the CBFC approved the film. As anticipated, the makers are aiming for a wide release. A final screen count will be announced tomorrow, June 19.
Following the necessary changes, the CBFC awarded a U/A 13+ certificate to the makers of Sitaare Zameen Par today, June 17. The film’s duration, as noted on the censor certificate, is 158.46 minutes, which translates to 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 46 seconds.
