Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par Sparks Plagiarism Debate: Copy of Champions or Official Remake of Campeones?

Aamir Khan’s much-awaited film Sitaare Zameen Par is making headlines – but not for the reasons one might expect. Hours after the release of its emotionally charged trailer, the internet erupted with claims that the film is a “frame-by-frame copy” of Woody Harrelson’s Champions (2023), which itself was a remake of the critically acclaimed Spanish film Campeones (2018).

Directed by RS Prasanna and positioned as a spiritual sequel to the 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, the new film follows Aamir as a disgraced basketball coach who, after a DUI arrest, is ordered by the court to train a team of intellectually disabled individuals. The storyline, as many have pointed out, mirrors the exact plot of Champions, which in turn was based on Campeones.

Social media was quick to react. Several users shared side-by-side comparisons of scenes from Sitaare Zameen Par and Champions, accusing the former of blatant copying. One Instagram user wrote, “What is Bollywood? A remix factory where they take a Hollywood or Tollywood script, add six unnecessary songs, and call it a cinematic universe.” Another sarcastically remarked, “Copying frame by frame! That requires some real talent.”

Amid the criticism, some fans stepped in to defend Aamir Khan and his team, pointing out that Sitaare Zameen Par might actually be an official Hindi remake of Campeones. “For those confused: Aamir Khan Productions has acquired the remake rights of the Spanish film Campeones, which was also remade as Champions in Hollywood,” noted one user. While this would legally clear the film of plagiarism, the lack of an official statement from Aamir Khan Productions has kept the debate alive.

Sitaare Zameen Par stars Aamir Khan alongside Genelia D’Souza and introduces 10 debut actors playing members of the basketball team. The screenplay has been penned by Divy Nidhi Sharma, and the film is scheduled to hit theatres on June 20, 2025.

While the film’s heartwarming trailer has drawn praise for its intent and performances, the plagiarism debate has cast a shadow over its otherwise positive reception. With mounting curiosity, all eyes are now on Aamir Khan Productions for a clarification regarding the film’s adaptation rights.

Watch the trailer here: