Actor-producer Aamir Khan believes that the early streaming release of his film Laapataa Ladies hindered its full box office potential.
In a recent interview with News18 Showsha, Aamir Khan opened up about the commercial performance of Laapataa Ladies, the 2024 comedy-drama produced under his banner Aamir Khan Productions. The film, directed by Kiran Rao, received critical acclaim and positive word-of-mouth, but Aamir feels its theatrical success was cut short due to its early release on Netflix.
“Would’ve Been a Huge Success,” Says Aamir
Laapataa Ladies hit theatres on March 1, 2024, and began streaming on Netflix just eight weeks later, on April 26. Aamir believes that this quick transition to OTT limited the film’s box office growth. “I believe Laapataa Ladies would have done really well in theatres if it hadn’t premiered on Netflix so soon. The word of mouth was so strong. According to me, if it hadn’t gone to Netflix so early, it would have been a huge success,” he said.
“Box Office Is the Most Accurate Measure”
Aamir further emphasized the importance of box office collections in gauging a film’s reception. “Ultimately, it’s the box office that gives you a very definite yardstick. Reviews are subjective — some people like a film, some don’t. But the box office is unemotional. It clearly tells you how much a film has earned, and it’s a fairly accurate measure,” he added.
Box Office Performance
According to Sacnilk.com, Laapataa Ladies earned ₹24.31 crore gross in India and ₹20.58 crore nett over a span of 13 weeks. Its global gross stood at ₹27.06 crore. Despite the modest numbers, the film’s strong narrative and performances were widely praised.
About the Film
Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures, and Jio Studios, Laapataa Ladies features Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. Set in rural India, the film humorously explores gender dynamics and patriarchy, revolving around two brides mistakenly swapped during a train journey. The film has been lauded for its gentle satire and thought-provoking storytelling.
What’s Next for Aamir Khan
Aamir will next be seen in Sitaare Zameen Par, which releases on June 20, 2025. The film, touted as a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par, features Aamir as an assistant basketball coach who, after being fired, is assigned community service coaching a team of specially-abled players. The film also stars Genelia Deshmukh alongside a fresh ensemble cast.
Sources By Agencies
