A rephrasing of the text: Aamir Khan's online approach and the Vatican's increased social media presence.
In an exciting turn of events, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has chosen an unconventional path for the distribution of his upcoming film, Sitaare Zameen Par. The film will bypass traditional OTT streaming services and instead, will be released exclusively on YouTube's pay-per-view platform, marking a significant shift in the film distribution model.
Starting August 1, 2025, Sitaare Zameen Par will be available globally, priced at ₹100 in India and localised pricing in 38 international markets, including the US, UK, Australia, and Germany. This strategy, dubbed "Janta ka Theatre" by Khan, aims to democratise cinema viewing by reaching a much wider audience, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where YouTube's vast reach is prevalent.
Khan's decision to opt for YouTube PPV over subscription-based platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime is driven by the recognition that traditional theatrical releases capture only about 2-3% of India’s population, primarily urban centers and specific regions. By choosing YouTube PPV, Khan hopes to expand the film's reach and increase revenues through one-time payments rather than subscriptions.
This move could potentially reshape Indian film distribution economics, making films more accessible anytime, anywhere, at reasonable costs. It's a digital revival of pay-per-view reminiscent of earlier VHS/DVD rental models.
Meanwhile, in the media and entertainment industry, several developments are underway. The website industryfocus.com caters to professionals, providing relevant content and serving as a platform for networking and information sharing. The app version of the website offers real-time updates and the convenience of saving favourite articles for future reference. Subscribing to the newsletter provides the latest insights and analysis.
Madison Media has appointed Ajit Varghese as partner and Group CEO Media, OOH. Elsewhere, DTH companies may receive license fee relief amid subscriber decline.
In other news, Warner Bros will take over the studio business post a split, while Discover will house news and sports brands. The Media and Entertainment Industry is also grappling with issues of content violations, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) blocking 43 OTT platforms.
Lastly, the Vatican is embracing a digital mission through social media, utilising Catholic influencers to reach a wider audience. The app aims to make industry news and analysis easily accessible on smartphones, delivering updates right on users' devices.
This article was published by BE Staff on Aug 1, 2025, at 03:54 PM IST.
[1] India Today [2] Hindi News [3] The Economic Times [4] The Hindu
- Aamir Khan's upcoming film, Sitaare Zameen Par, is set to revolutionize the film distribution model, bypassing traditional OTT services and being released exclusively on YouTube's pay-per-view platform.
- This move is aimed at democratizing cinema viewing, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where YouTube has a vast reach.
- The film, priced at ₹100 in India and localized pricing in 38 international markets, is expected to reshape Indian film distribution economics by making films more accessible anytime, anywhere, at reasonable costs.
- Meanwhile, in the media and entertainment industry, professionals can find relevant content, networking opportunities, and real-time updates on industry focus.com, with the convenience of saving favorite articles for future reference and a newsletter for the latest insights and analysis.
- Madison Media has appointed Ajit Varghese as partner and Group CEO Media, OOH, while DTH companies may receive license fee relief amid subscriber decline.
- In other news, content violations are becoming an issue in the media and entertainment industry, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) blocking 43 OTT platforms, and the Vatican is embracing a digital mission through social media, utilizing Catholic influencers to reach a wider audience.
