Aamir Khan has recently emphasized the critical need for India to increase its number of cinema screens to compete with countries like China and the United States. Speaking at the World Audio and Visual Summit (WAVES) 2025, Khan highlighted the disparity in screen numbers and its impact on the potential earnings of Indian films.

Khan pointed out that India, despite being the world's largest film producer and having the second-oldest film industry, lags significantly behind China and the U.S. in terms of cinema screens. He stated that India has approximately 9,000 to 10,000 screens, while the United States has around 40,000, and China boasts approximately 90,000 to over 100,000 screens. He also noted that half of India's screens are concentrated in the southern states.

The actor illustrated the potential impact of increased screen numbers by referencing the fictional Bollywood film "Dhurandhar," which reportedly grossed around ₹1,000 crore. Khan stated, "Let's take the example of Dhurandhar, which has done around Rs 1,000 crore. Now, imagine if it had been released in not 5,000 screens but in 15,000 screens". He argued that a wider release would have resulted in significantly higher earnings, emphasizing the untapped potential within the Indian market.

Khan explained that the limited number of screens restricts the reach of films across the nation, with many districts lacking even a single cinema. He stressed that even the most successful Indian films only reach a small fraction of the population, estimating that only about 2% of the population watches them in theaters.

Drawing a comparison with China, Khan noted that big films there can generate enormous revenues, sometimes reaching two billion U.S. dollars within China alone. He attributed this to the vast difference in the number of screens, stating, "We are at 9,000 screens. What is the comparison? We are one-tenth their size in outlets". He believes that increasing the number of screens in India will lead to a significant expansion of the film business at the grassroots level.

Khan has been advocating for investment in building more theaters, particularly budget-friendly options that are accessible to the common person. He feels that addressing the screen shortage is crucial for unlocking India's potential in the film industry and enabling it to compete with global markets.