New Delhi, Mar 4 (.) Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio recently expressed concerns over the future of theatre based release of cinema, highlighting the shrinking theatrical window and the rising dominance of streaming platforms.
In a conversation the ‘One Battle After Another’ the actor stressed that the communal experience of watching films in a theatre remains crucial for preserving the magic of moviegoing.
DiCaprio’s worries echo in Indian cinema as well.
Speaking to Variety India, Hindi film actor Aamir Khan addressed the challenges of balancing theatrical releases with the growing influence of streaming platforms.
When asked about whether Indian cinema can protect the big-screen experience or negotiate a compromise with streaming economics, Aamir said, “Right now, it’s not a graceful compromise. That’s not a good situation to be in. So, I think a graceful compromise is much better, but at this point of time, it doesn’t look graceful to me from any angle.”
He added that producers across India, from Bollywood to the South, are facing the same dilemma.
“A lot of producers are facing that and not just in Hindi. In the South as well, a lot of producers I’ve spoken to are facing this problem. I agree with what Leonardo DiCaprio said, that the theatrical window needs to be protected to some extent. If you want the theatrical business to thrive and be healthy, you need to protect it.”
As a producer, Aamir advocated for a flexible approach rather than a rigid one-size-fits-all model. “Well, I think you need to work on different models. Mainstream films, which have a lot at stake, need a slightly longer window. A film like Dhurandhar benefited from it. I think some really big films can have longer theatrical windows. Maybe small, experimental films need shorter ones. So, we need to have a flexible model.”
Aamir Khan’s most recent release, Sitaare Zameen Par, directed by RS Prasanna and starring Genelia Deshmukh, released in June 2025 and grossed close to ₹200 crore at the box office.
With streaming platforms gaining momentum globally, both DiCaprio and Aamir emphasize that a healthy balance between theatres and digital platforms is key to sustaining the cinematic experience for audiences worldwide.
. MI .