Will ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ Skip YouTube? Netflix’s Rs 125 Crore Offer Could Change the Game?
Netflix has reportedly doubled its offer to acquire the OTT streaming rights for Aamir Khan’s upcoming film ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’, offering a whopping Rs 125 crore in a bid to delay the movie’s planned release on YouTube via a pay-per-view model.
Aamir Khan’s ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’: Netflix’s High-Stakes Bid to Control OTT Release
Earlier reports indicated that after its theatrical run, the film would be made available on YouTube, allowing viewers to pay per view to watch the movie. This approach marked a departure from the traditional release strategy, where Bollywood films typically make their way to established streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
However, Netflix’s increased bid — nearly twice its initial offer of Rs 60 crore — aims to prevent the film’s YouTube release. The streaming giant is keen to acquire exclusive rights to ensure the film doesn’t become widely accessible through YouTube, which could disrupt the existing digital content ecosystem.
A source familiar with the negotiations told Bollywood Hungama, “The film’s move to a YouTube Pay-Per-View model could disrupt the whole ecosystem. If Aamir pulls it off, it will embolden more filmmakers to go direct-to-audience via open platforms. This would mean streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon will now have to compete with a format that is cheaper, more accessible, and less exclusive.”
Aamir Khan, the acclaimed actor and filmmaker, had earlier expressed his preference for audiences to experience ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ on the big screen before making it accessible for home viewing.
The heightened competition for the film’s digital rights underscores the evolving landscape of film distribution in India, where streaming platforms and open-access models like YouTube’s pay-per-view are vying for audience attention and content exclusivity.
As negotiations continue, industry insiders are closely watching how this deal might set new precedents for Bollywood’s OTT release strategies.
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