BY CHRISTA LINCY
The global debate surrounding the future of the theatrical experience has found a powerful new resonance in the Indian film industry. Recently, Hollywood legend Leonardo DiCaprio voiced his concerns to The Times regarding the shrinking theatrical window and the rising dominance of streaming platforms. DiCaprio argued that the communal magic of watching a film in a cinema hall is under threat, a sentiment that is now being mirrored by Indian megastar Aamir Khan. In an industry currently grappling with the balance between box-office stability and OTT revenue, Khan's latest insights suggest that the current state of affairs is far from ideal.
In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Aamir Khan delved deep into the theatrical versus streaming debate. When asked if Indian cinema was doing enough to protect the big-screen experience or if it was negotiating a graceful compromise with streaming economics, the actor-producer was remarkably candid. He stated that, at this point, the situation does not feel like a graceful compromise from any angle. Khan emphasized that the current dynamic is a difficult position for the industry to be in, suggesting that while a middle ground is necessary, the current scales are tipped in a way that feels unrefined and potentially damaging to the theatrical business.
The Perfectionist of Bollywood further noted that this struggle is not unique to Hindi cinema. According to Khan, several producers from the South Indian film industries have expressed similar anxieties regarding the pressure to meet streaming mandates while trying to keep the theatrical business healthy. He firmly backed Leonardo DiCaprio's stance, asserting that if the theatrical business is to thrive and remain a sustainable ecosystem, the exclusive window for cinema halls must be protected at all costs. For Khan, the survival of the big screen is not just about commerce, but about preserving the culture of moviegoing.
As a producer known for his strategic foresight, Aamir Khan proposed a more flexible release model rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all approach. He envisions a system where mainstream films with massive stakes are granted a significantly longer theatrical window to maximize their box-office potential. Conversely, he suggested that smaller, more experimental films could benefit from shorter windows, allowing them to find their niche audience on digital platforms more quickly. This tiered approach, he believes, would allow the industry to cater to different types of content without cannibalizing the theatrical market.
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The validity of Khan's theatrical-first philosophy was recently proven by the success of his film Sitaare Zameen Par. Released in June 2025, the movie—which paired Aamir Khan with Genelia Deshmukh—became a significant hit, grossing over ₹250 crores at the box office. Directed by RS Prasanna, the film's strong performance served as a reminder that family audiences are still willing to throng theaters for high-quality, emotional storytelling. By prioritizing the theatrical experience for such a project, Khan demonstrated that the big screen remains the ultimate platform for cinematic impact.
As the Indian film industry continues to navigate the complexities of the digital age, Aamir Khan's remarks to Variety India serve as a crucial wake-up call. The tension between the immediate financial security offered by streaming giants and the long-term health of the exhibition sector remains a defining challenge for producers. Whether the industry can transition into the graceful compromise Khan hopes for will likely depend on whether other major stakeholders join him in protecting the sanctity of the silver screen.
Bollywood
