The recently released film Sitaare Zameen Par, a spiritual successor to Aamir Khan's 2007 hit Taare Zameen Par, is making waves at the box office. The film, directed by R.S. Prasanna, stars Aamir Khan and Genelia Deshmukh and has garnered positive reviews and strong audience reception since its release on June 20, 2025. As Sitaare Zameen Par enjoys box office success, Darsheel Safary, the child actor who played the iconic Ishaan Awasthi in Taare Zameen Par, has been reflecting on his own experience with sudden fame after the release of the earlier film.
Sitaare Zameen Par has had a strong showing at the box office. After four days, the film had already grossed ₹66.65 crore in India, surpassing the lifetime collection of Aamir Khan's previous film, Laal Singh Chaddha. While the film experienced a dip on its first Monday, earning ₹8.50 crore, it still maintained a strong performance, driven by positive word-of-mouth. Globally, Sitaare Zameen Par has also made a mark, earning an estimated $10,217,662 (₹88 crore) worldwide in its opening weekend and securing the eighth position in worldwide rankings, beating out other films such as Kuberaa and Materialists. The movie is on track to cross the ₹100 crore mark soon.
The success of Sitaare Zameen Par has brought renewed attention to Taare Zameen Par, and Darsheel Safary's portrayal of a child with dyslexia. In a recent interview, Darsheel recalled how his life changed overnight after the film's release in 2007 when he was just 10 years old. He described the overwhelming attention he received, stating that he was unprepared for the level of fame that came his way.
Darsheel recounted a specific incident that highlighted the extent of his newfound celebrity. "I was never able to go to my school canteen," he explained. He shared that on the Monday following the film's release, he had asked his mother for ₹50 to spend at the canteen. However, when he went to school that day, he was mobbed by students. The situation escalated to the point where he had to seek refuge in the principal's office. The principal, initially thinking he was involved in a fight, soon realized the magnitude of the situation and advised him to take a few days off from school. She also addressed the school during assembly to explain the situation.
The instant fame made simple, everyday activities difficult for Darsheel. He couldn't easily do things like playing cricket or buying vegetables with his mom because he was constantly recognized and surrounded by people. Over time, Darsheel learned to cope with the attention. He revealed that while he was initially shocked and uncomfortable, he gradually came to terms with his fame.
Darsheel also shared that he feels a sense of responsibility towards the impact Taare Zameen Par had on raising awareness about dyslexia and the pressures faced by students. He noted that many people have shared their personal stories with him, expressing how the film touched their lives. Even now, years later, people still recognize him and share their feelings about the film, which Darsheel finds incredibly rewarding.
Despite the close association with Aamir Khan due to Taare Zameen Par, Darsheel has consciously chosen to carve his own path in the industry. He revealed that he hasn't asked Aamir Khan for work, preferring to secure roles through auditions and screen tests. Darsheel explained that he feels shy about directly asking for opportunities and that he prefers to maintain a respectful distance, sending good wishes on occasions like Aamir Khan's birthday.
Darsheel also shared his thoughts on Sitaare Zameen Par, praising the film for its sensitive and humorous portrayal of neurodivergent adults. He attended the premiere and lauded the film for holding up a mirror to society with grace and heart.
