Gone are the days when people waited for a Friday to come, because it not only meant the end of the week, but also signified the release of a new film. To the public, these Friday-released films provided them with a respite from their otherwise monotonous life, while for the critics, it meant business. But post-pandemic, Bollywood has experienced a change of atmosphere. The industry stepped into the world of OTT, announcing the release of several web series and films specially made for the platform. But along with this revolution came the trend of making remakes. And it is not only films that are being remade, even the dialogues, songs, and choreography are being recreated. Moreover, it now seems that even movie trailers are the newest addition to these remakes.
Aamir Khan’s much-anticipated upcoming release, titled Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par, was quick to garner social media’s attention. While the trailer was appreciated, it was also subject to backlash from both the netzines and critics for being a direct copy of the Hollywood film, Champions (2023), which in turn is a remake of the Spanish film called Campeones (2018). Although the trailer got 42 million views within 24 hours of its release, it could not escape the audience’s most asked question: Are remakes the new content?
What are the films about?
The common ground of all three films is that they revolve around the theme of inclusion of intellectual disabilities in the mainstream society through sports. Another similarity is the redemption arc of the coaches - that is, teaching them life lessons in humility, kindness, and team spirit. Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, which is touted to be the successor of the 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, once again delivers a social message. However, this time around, the narrative has shifted from the classroom to sports. Sitaare Zameen Par follows the heartwarming story of a group of children who have intellectual disabilities. Aamir Khan plays the role of a disgruntled former coach, who has been tasked with the responsibility of coaching these children as a part of his punishment. The humorous yet emotional trailer gives us a glimpse of the collective and transformative journey of the coach and his students.
Champions (2023), directed by Bobby Farrelly and starring Woody Harrelson, also follows the same suit. Woody Harrelson portrays the role of a disgraced basketball coach who has been ordered to coach intellectually challenged students as part of his redemption. However, none of these films are the original ones. It was the Spanish film Campeones (2018), directed by Javier Fesser, which is regarded as the root of the story. The film was critically acclaimed, with the critics and audiences praising it for its emotional depth and social message. It also went on to be the official entry of Spain for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film at the 2019 Oscars.
What is the Controversy About?
The trailer of Sitaare Zameen Par was released on 13 May 2025, and within hours of its release, it generated a lot of social media buzz. While one section of fans was excited for the comeback of Aamir Khan and his socially driven films, the others were quick to draw comparisons between the Bollywood veteran’s film and the 2023 Hollywood film Champions, which ironically is a remake of another Spanish film, Campeones, released in 2018. The fans accused the film of being a direct copy of the earlier versions of the movie, with some even noting the similarities in the dialogue and the scenes, along with the trailer being a frame-by-frame copy of the 2023 release.
Hashtags such as #Copywood and #BoycottSitaareZameenPar were seen trending on the social media platform X (formerly called Twitter). People questioned the originality and creativity of Bollywood and slammed the industry for its constant cycle of remakes. Memes served as an outlet for mocking the film by putting similar snapshots of scenes from Champions and Sitaare Zameen Par. But not everyone joined the bandwagon of calling out the film. Some were even seen supporting the remake, stating that remakes can be adapted according to the local audience and their mentality.
The History of Remakes
It has been a common practice in cinema to adapt films from one industry to another. Be it Hollywood or Bollywood, the prevalence of making remakes has been long-standing. One must not forget that Bollywood has often indulged in remaking its regional films to cater to a larger audience. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy (2017), which was a major box–office hit in the Southern part of the country, was remade into Kabir Singh (2019), another Bollywood blockbuster helmed by the same director. So, when we can adapt the same film in the same country, it becomes quite apparent to seek inspiration from international cinema for making movies.
Aamir Khan has a track record for borrowing the storyline from Hollywood films, which is evident from his filmography. Be it Laal Singh Chaddha (official adaptation of Forrest Gump) or Ghajini (inspired by Memento), he is known to adapt the hits of the West. After the release of Sitaare Zameen Par’s trailer, some fans even defended the veteran and his film, asking the audience to reserve their judgment before watching the movie, which is true. Some of the greatest box office hits, which are widely loved by fans, are either remakes or have sought inspiration from the West. Kaante (2002), a film inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1992), was commended for its Hollywood-style execution, with the director himself praising the Indian version to be a “rip-off done right”. The 2007 comedy film Partner, starring the duo of Govinda and Salman Khan, was well–received by the Indian audience and is still remembered for its perfect comic timings and humor. It was also inspired by Will Smith’s 2005 film, Hitch, and earned a good box office figure.
The industry needs to understand that with the availability of inexpensive OTT platform subscriptions and language barrier removal, the audience is now exposed to content more than ever. Whether Sitaare Zameen Par is a true adaptation of the original film or is a missed opportunity will be only clear upon its release. But till then, the audience craves for wholesome, refreshing, and more importantly, for authentic content which they have not experienced yet. It now dawns upon the modern filmmaker to invest in storytelling that is unexplored and cathartic, can give the audience a good laugh, and make them sit glued to their seats.