After a nine-year absence, Aamir Khan is set to return to Japanese theatres, with his 2025 release Sitaare Zameen Par slated for a spring 2027 release in Japan. The film will mark his first lead theatrical release in the country since Dangal in 2018.Although Aamir’s production venture Secret Superstar reached Japanese audiences in August 2019, Sitaare Zameen Par will mark his return to Japanese theatres as the lead actor after nearly a decade.
Aamir Khan’s return to Japanese theatres
On September 25, 2026, Japanese distributor Geek Pictures announced that the film would be released in Japanese theatres under the title Sitaare! The Miracle Team of Stardust. Screenings are planned at Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Yebisu Garden Cinema and other venues across the country.To mark the announcement, a dedicated official account for the film was also launched for Japanese audiences. The account posted:“Distributed by Geek Pictures Indian Film ‘Sitaare! The Miracle Team of Stardust’ Set for Spring 2027 Release Starring #AamirKhan from ‘3 Idiots’! A heartwarming ode to life filled with laughter and tears ”
What does the title ‘Sitaare’ mean?
The word Sitaare means “stars” in Hindi and draws a clear connection to Aamir Khan’s 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, which was released internationally as Like Stars on Earth.While Sitaare Zameen Par is not a direct continuation of the earlier film’s story, it carries forward its emotional spirit and has been described as a spiritual sequel. The film is officially adapted from the 2018 Spanish comedy Champions.
What is ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ about?
In Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir plays Gulshan, a former basketball player whose career has not gone as planned. After getting into trouble following reckless behaviour, including drink-driving, he is sentenced to community service.As part of his punishment, Gulshan is assigned to coach Sitaare, a basketball team made up of adults with disabilities.Initially, Gulshan is focused on completing his community service and moving on with his life. However, as he spends more time with the players, his perspective gradually changes. The team becomes an important part of his life and makes him reassess his understanding of success, failure and the people around him.The team’s players were portrayed by 10 first-time actors with real disabilities, who were selected through a rigorous audition process. Their casting became one of the film’s most discussed aspects.
Cast and crew of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’
Directed by R. S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par stars Aamir Khan, Genelia Deshmukh, Gurpal Singh, Dolly Ahluwalia and Brijendra Kala in key roles.The film also features 10 first-time actors with disabilities — Ashish Pendse, Aroush Datta, Aayush Bhansali, Rishi Shahani, Gopi Krishnan K Verma, Rishabh Jain, Vedant Sharma, Samvit Desai, Naman Misra and Simran Mangeshkar.With its Japanese release planned for spring 2027, Sitaare Zameen Par will introduce Aamir Khan’s latest film to Japanese audiences nearly a decade after Dangal made its theatrical debut there.
