Aamir Khan credits illegal piracy for expanding his audience in Asia

Aamir Khan, one of Bollywood’s most renowned stars, has acknowledged that illegal piracy played a significant role in helping his films reach new audiences across Asia. Speaking at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Khan discussed how the illegal downloading of his 2009 film *3 Idiots* contributed to his growing popularity in countries such as China, Singapore, and Japan. He explained that piracy allowed him to connect with international fans who were otherwise unfamiliar with his work. While Khan was initially concerned about piracy, he now views it as a blessing that expanded his global following. Khan also highlighted the challenges faced by Indian audiences in accessing his films, given the limited number of cinemas in India. With only around 4,000-5,000 screens dedicated to Hindi films, Khan has turned to platforms like YouTube to distribute his latest film, *Sitaare Zameen Par* (Stars on Earth). The film is available for rent at 100 rupees ($2) per view, allowing a wider Indian audience to access it. Khan believes this move could help democratize access to Bollywood films, particularly in rural and smaller cities where ticket prices are rising, and cinemas are closing. Experts in the field, such as Sunny Singh and Ashvin Devasundaram, have highlighted the potential for YouTube to increase access to Indian cinema while addressing issues like safety for women in cinemas and censorship challenges posed by the government.