Aamir Khan’s star is finally shining bright at the box office. The actor’s latest release Sitaare Zameen Par has registered an impressive opening weekend collection of over Rs 57 crore. While the  R S Prasanna-directed venture has spread cheer among exhibitors, trade analysts also note that the success is a marker of two crucial things — first, that Khan may have pulled off a wise move by skipping the post-theatrical OTT run. More importantly, the feel-good movie’s strong run can be seen as a revival of the genre that almost disappeared from the big screen in the post-pandemic market.

Exhibitor Akshaye Rathi says, “[In the past few years], we had Pathaan [2023], Jawan [2023], Gadar 2: The Katha Continues [2023], and Pushpa kind of films [becoming hits]. The notion was that people would come to theatres for these mass-oriented action films. I think this is the first multiplex hit since the pandemic. It’s good to see the genre, which targets urban India, being revived.”

Rajasthan-based exhibitor Raj Bansal shares that women and families are driving the footfall in his Jaipur multiplex. Noting that Sunday’s collection of Rs. 26 crore was almost 2.5 times the opening day’s figure of Rs 10.5 crore, Bansal is optimistic of the film’s growth.

“From now, Aamir’s decision to not [stream] the film on OTT will play a role. The first week’s collection should close at about Rs. 80 crore.”

Trade analyst Girish Johar adds that the movie has found takers in the international market too. “Over time, it could touch the Rs 100 crore mark in the domestic market.”

Vishek Chauhan, however, states that its success doesn’t indicate a change. “It does not penetrate the rural market. This is not the kind of film people in villages will throng to watch,” he says.