Aamir Khan’s highly anticipated film, Sitaare Zameen Par, has reportedly drastically reduced its Delhi schedule. Originally planned to film extensively in the nation’s capital, the production team has had to make unexpected adjustments due to mounting expenses and logistical challenges. Read on to know more about it.
Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par production cut short from one month to 10 days
The film’s Delhi schedule, initially intended to last for a month, has been significantly reduced to 8-10 days in July. The primary reason for the shortened schedule is the escalating costs associated with filming in Delhi.
According to a recent Hindustan Times report, a production head shed light on the financial burdens. “Shooting at prominent locations in Delhi has become extremely costly. For instance, filming at Rajiv Chowk metro station costs ₹2 lakhs per hour. If you want to shoot at the international airport, it will set you back ₹12 lakhs for just four hours.”
They further explained, “When you break it down, shooting at Rajiv Chowk for four hours means paying eight lakh rupees to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. ₹2,36,000 to the New Delhi Municipal Council, a lakh to the parking guys, and around two lakh rupees to the Delhi Police for security.”
This trend is not limited to Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par. The high costs in Delhi have led many filmmakers to seek more budget-friendly alternatives. Cities like Bhopal and Lucknow are emerging as popular choices due to their lower costs and supportive filming policies. For example, the makers of Raid 2, featuring Ajay Devgn, faced similar challenges. Hence, they moved to Lucknow for the remaining 47 days, recreating Delhi’s scenes there.
Despite the logistical challenges, Sitaare Zameen Par remains one of the most awaited films of the year. Lauded as Aamir Khan’s grand comeback, the film is slated for a Christmas 2024 release.
