Taare Zameen Par’s spiritual sequel, Sitaare Zameen Par, was released yesterday, and fans can’t help but compare the opening day collections of the two films.
Many took to social media to highlight the difference in their opening day earnings and the contrast is stark.
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Taare Zameen Par, released in 2007, collected ₹2.62 crore on its opening day.
Sitaare Zameen Par, on the other hand, collected ₹11.5 crore on day one.
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Some social media users hailed Sitaare Zameen Par as a hit based on this number alone.
However, this comparison doesn’t really hold up when looked at closely.
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Taare Zameen Par was released almost two decades ago. The economic conditions were different, single-screen theatre collections played a larger role, and ticket prices were significantly lower.
A lot has changed over the years. Single screens are dying, national multiplex chains now charge premium prices, and inflation has drastically changed the value of money.
If one adjusts for inflation and context, the ₹2.62 crore collected in 2007 is arguably more impressive than ₹11.5 crore today.
Sitaare Zameen Par’s opening is decent at best, and certainly not something to celebrate in comparison to Taare Zameen Par.
Moreover, the two films shouldn’t be compared at all. Taare Zameen Par was a ground-breaking, original concept for its time, an experimental film that left a lasting cultural impact.
Sitaare Zameen Par is a remake, with a borrowed concept. If it must be compared, Laal Singh Chaddha would make a more fitting benchmark.
Both Sitaare Zameen Par and Laal Singh Chaddha are remakes, released within a 5-year span.
Interestingly, Laal Singh Chaddha collected ₹11.70 crore on its opening day, a little more than Sitaare Zameen Par, and was still deemed a flop.
Despite PR articles pushing the narrative that Sitaare Zameen Par will pick up through word-of-mouth over the weekend, it’s unlikely to see a jump of more than 50%, even with positive buzz.
Ultimately, the fate of the film will be decided by the audience in the coming weeks.
