Aamir Khan's Sitaare Zameen Par opens with PM Narendra Modi's quote on disability inclusion, as directed by CBFC

The highly anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par starring Aamir Khan was released in theatres today, June 20, 2025. Though the film's emotionally intense plot about intellectually disabled youngsters has garnered a lot of attention, early viewers were particularly captivated by a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that plays immediately after the disclaimer.

PM Modi’s message plays before the film begins

Here is the message: “In 2047, when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Independence, our divyang friends will be seen as an inspiration to the whole world. Today we have to be determined for this goal. Let us all together build a society where no dream or goal is impossible — only then we will be able to build a truly inclusive and developed India.”

— Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi

U/A 13+ rating granted

Rather than being an artistic choice, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) mandated the inclusion of the quote. After five specific revisions, including the addition of this message by the Prime Minister following the disclaimer, the film was given a U/A 13+ rating, as stated in the board's Revising Committee certificate dated June 17.

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The CBFC requested a 26-second spoken disclaimer to replace the written one in its official message to the producers. The previously mentioned quote would follow. Sitaare Zameen Par follows a basketball coach as he works with a squad of players who have intellectual disabilities. The main theme of the movie is the inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities by the year 2047.

CBFC also requested edits to words

The CBFC also wanted the title "Business Person" changed from "Business Woman", the word "kamal" (lotus) removed from the subtitle and the image, and the word "Lovebirds" used in place of Michael Jackson's name.

The official Hindi version of the Spanish film Campeones was directed by R.S. Prasanna and features Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh. Initial reviews of the film have been mostly positive; however, some have questioned the CBFC's growing participation in non-content-related inserts, while others have welcomed the government's inclusive stance. The inclusion of the Prime Minister's message has also prompted varied emotions.

All throughout the globe, movie theatres are presently showing the film.