Netizens Slam ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ Trailer, Call It a Copy of Spanish Film ‘Champions’
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The short response is typical for the social media. Comments on platforms such as X (previously, Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube were rife with critics on the lack of originality. The hashtag #SitaareZameenPar started to trend – but not in rejoiceful manner.
“Is this what we are expecting from Aamir Khan? A Spanish film copied and passed off as a Bollywood original?” commented one user.
“As soon as I saw the trailer, I could tell it was Champions. It’s almost scene-by-scene,” commented another.
Comments on the YouTube official trailer video resembled similar sentiments with thousands of disappointed YouTube users posting comments. Although some would highly commend the intent of the film to highlight disability and inclusion, the overall sentiment was one of disappointment particularly from an actor-producer who in the past had championed originality and relentless storytelling.
Aamir Khan: renowned for his inventiveness and sensitivity
The backlash is exceptional considering Aamir Khan’s fame in the industry. Nowhere known better as “Mr. Perfectionist”, Khan has left a legacy in the sphere of socially and creatively literate movie-making – Lagaan, Dangal, Taare Zameen Par, PK and 3 Idiots are just a few.
In Taare Zameen Par[2007], Khan acted, as well as directed a movie that addressed the dyslexia and the necessity of realizing other children’s learning needs. It deeply touched audiences and received wide acclaims for its sensitivity and realism.
Due to that heritage, the expectation of the audience was that Sitaare Zameen Par would take the same path – innovative, emotional, and real. Quite the contrary, many now believe that the film has cheated its way into shape, borrowing an already established international idea and failing to bring something new or recognizing what may have been a legitimate source.
Is Originality Still a Problem in Bollywood?
The Sitaare Zameen Par controversy also re-sparked an argument that has been raging on for years: that is how Bollywood’s dependence on remakes and imports from global cinema. In the past couple of years several such movies produced in Hindi have been accused of doing the same – officially remades or unofficial use of foreign celluloid without giving any credit.
Critics argue that this form of trend manifests a creative stagnation where the filmmakers choose a tested formula rather than invest on original scripts or new perspectives. Although remakes might succeed when they are approached with care, and as an element of the culture, direct or uncredited lifts tend to flop with a digitally astute audience who can pinpoint the origins of a film with a shrug and an entry into Google.
The Filmmakers’ Quiescence
To date, both Aamir Khan and the producers of Sitaare Zameen Par did not release any official statement about the charges of plagiarism or copying. It will have to be seen whether the film is an officially licensed adaptation of Champions or simply a work which merely “takes inspiration” from it.
This ambiguity has just added more fuel to the speculation and criticism centred over the product with many imploring the makers to at least mention their influences if any.
In conclusion, will the movie redeem itself when it comes out?
Inspite of the trailer backlash, Sitaare Zameen Par can still save itself. If it moves beyond the appearance of similarities with Champions and provides good performances, emotionally charged moments, and more cultural insights, the movie might indoctrinate audiences once it hits screens.
But when originality is valued now, and easily investigated, then viewers are not going to forebear with untainted adaptations and rehashed ideas. Even with such a popular name as Aamir Khan that has always been associated with quality cinema, he will have to work extra hard to evince confidence in the fans that ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ is beyond a remake in a new language of a foreign film.
Only the time will show if this film will be able to get past its bumpy beginning and actually sparkle among the stars.
