As Expected The Not much-anticipated teaser of Sitare Zameen Par made its debut on May 13, it didn’t quite receive the warm welcome Aamir Khan might have hoped for. Instead, the teaser and the subsequent trailer release ignited a firestorm on social media, with netizens accusing Khan of orchestrating a well-timed PR campaign in the backdrop of a national security issue.
What triggered the backlash was not just the content of the teaser but the perceived opportunism surrounding its release. Just hours before unveiling the teaser, Aamir Khan Productions shared a social media post saluting the Indian Armed Forces and the success of Operation Sindoor — a recent military operation marked by India’s strong retaliation to Pakistani drone attacks and attempts to target civilian and military zones.
The post, meant to pay tribute to the bravery of the Indian forces, read: “Salute to the heroes of Operation Sindoor. Heartfelt gratitude to our armed forces for their courage, bravery and unwavering commitment to the security of our nation. Thank you to the Honourable Prime Minister for his leadership and determination. Jai Hind.”
However, many users weren’t buying it. The timing of the post — just minutes before the teaser drop — led to widespread criticism and allegations of it being a token gesture designed to ride the wave of nationalism to promote the film. Several social media users labelled Khan “Mr Opportunist”, a not-so-subtle dig at his usual moniker “Mr Perfectionist”.
Fueling the outrage further was Aamir Khan’s silence during the actual days of Operation Sindoor, when tensions between India and Pakistan were at a high. While many of his Bollywood peers postponed events or chose not to make public appearances out of respect, Khan went ahead with promotional activities for Sitare Zameen Par, seemingly unaffected.
Adding to the skepticism, reports emerged that the trailer release was initially scheduled for May 9 but got postponed — allegedly due to the tense Indo-Pak situation. However, insiders revealed that the delay was more likely due to the trailer not being ready, making the war-situation excuse appear disingenuous.
When later questioned about the Pahalgam terror attack, Khan’s response — “We need justice and assurance that it won’t happen again…” — felt, to many, like a rehearsed line rather than a heartfelt reaction. This added to the perception that the actor and his team were more focused on optics than genuine engagement with national sentiments.
Aamir Khan, often praised for his thoughtful storytelling and meticulous approach to cinema, finds himself navigating one of the most politically charged backlashes of his career. Whether Sitare Zameen Par will overcome the wave of boycott calls remains to be seen. But the incident is a sharp reminder that audiences today expect more than just entertainment—they demand authenticity, sensitivity, and timing that resonates with the nation’s pulse. If Khan’s silence during crucial moments has spoken volumes, it might take more than a PR post to win back trust.