Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par Sparks Comparison with Champions: Creative Adaptation or Missed Opportunity?

After a three-year hiatus, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is back in the spotlight with the trailer release of his much-awaited film Sitaare Zameen Par. A spiritual successor to the 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par, the film has already sparked a wave of conversations online — both admiring and critical.

A Promising Trailer With Familiar Emotions

The trailer introduces Aamir Khan in a quirky avatar as a basketball coach who mentors a team of individuals with intellectual disabilities. It offers an emotional blend of humor, sportsmanship, and personal transformation — echoing themes that Aamir has previously explored in films like Dangal and Taare Zameen Par. The ensemble cast includes Genelia Deshmukh and ten fresh faces, bringing authenticity and freshness to the screen.
Must Read: Sitaare Zameen Par Trailer Review: Aamir Khan Returns with an Uplifting Tale of Courage and Inclusion

The Champions Connection: Inspiration or Replication?

Soon after the trailer dropped, social media users began drawing comparisons between Sitaare Zameen Par and the 2018 Spanish film Campeones, which was officially remade in English as Champions in 2023. The Spanish original, based on a true story, followed a disgraced basketball coach who is ordered to train a team of players with intellectual disabilities — a storyline that closely mirrors what’s presented in Sitaare Zameen Par’s trailer.
Also Read: Sitaare Zameen Par Poster Review: Aamir Khan’s Emotional and Inspirational Journey

This sparked a debate online, with some calling it a “frame-by-frame” adaptation. Critics pointed out not just the story arc but also the similarities in several trailer visuals. Memes and side-by-side comparisons quickly made their way across Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), with users coining phrases like “Perfectionist in Copying” to describe the situation.

A Fair Criticism or an Overreaction?

While some viewers expressed disappointment, suggesting that Bollywood should have adapted the story to a more culturally relatable sport like cricket or hockey, others offered a more understanding take. A section of fans highlighted that Sitaare Zameen Par is an official remake, and Aamir Khan’s production house reportedly acquired the rights to adapt Campeones into Hindi.

One social media comment read, “You’re acting like everyone in India has seen Champions. If the remake is done well, it shouldn’t matter.” Others added that as long as the story is well-executed and emotionally resonant, the origin shouldn’t detract from the film’s potential impact.

Déjà Vu After Laal Singh Chaddha?

This isn’t the first time Aamir Khan has faced backlash over a faithful adaptation. In 2022, Laal Singh Chaddha, the official remake of Forrest Gump, received mixed reviews and struggled at the box office. Some viewers have drawn parallels between the two projects, suggesting that the actor should consider more original content. Still, it’s worth noting that Aamir is one of the few Bollywood stars who frequently backs socially relevant themes, even in commercial cinema.

What Lies Ahead for Sitaare Zameen Par?

Despite the chatter, Sitaare Zameen Par has its fair share of supporters. The film has been praised for highlighting neurodiversity and inclusivity in sports, and the trailer has already garnered millions of views. Whether it turns out to be a meaningful remake or simply a rehashed version will only be clear once it hits theatres on June 20, 2025.

Until then, the debate continues — is Sitaare Zameen Par a heartfelt tribute to an inspiring global story, or has it played too safe by walking the already-trodden path of Champions?