Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par has taken Indian cinema to new heights—quite literally. The film was recently screened at the world’s highest-altitude theatre, Picturetime’s mobile cinema hall in Ladakh, situated at 11,562 feet above sea level.
The special screening, held on Saturday, was organised in collaboration with Dr. Daichin’s Hopeful Steps Clinic for children with autism and their parents. In a region where big-screen entertainment is rare, the event became a memorable evening for seven children, 18 parents, and four staff members in attendance.
For the children, it was an adventure as they enjoyed the story unfolding on screen, while parents experienced an emotional moment watching their children engage with cinema against the serene Ladakhi backdrop.
Reflecting on the initiative, Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of Picturetime, noted that Aamir Khan’s words at the Waves Summit about cinema’s emotional reach and its need to be accessible to every Indian, no matter where they live, had deeply resonated with him. “That thought has guided us ever since,” he shared. “Bringing Sitaare Zameen Par to the world’s highest-altitude theatre for children with autism and their parents is more than a screening—it is a quiet, fulfilling reminder of what cinema is meant to achieve.”
Chaudhary also expressed gratitude to Dr. Daichin and the Hopeful Steps Clinic for their collaboration, adding, “To witness these children experience the magic of storytelling in a space created just for them is exactly the purpose we envisioned when we built Picturetime.”
Produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Sitaare Zameen Par features Khan as a suspended basketball coach who, as part of his community service, trains a team of players with disabilities for a tournament. Positioned as a spiritual successor to Khan’s acclaimed Taare Zameen Par (2007), the film has resonated widely for its message of inclusion and hope.
At its core, the screening in Ladakh is a testament to the transformative power of cinema, proving that stories, when made accessible, can create moments of connection and joy even in the most remote corners of the country.