Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who recently supported Aamir Khan's choice to make Sitaare Zameen Par available on YouTube through a pay-per-view model, praised the film the other day. Taking to Instagram, Hansal wrote a long post lauding the RS Prasanna directorial and compared it to his own sports comedy Chhalaang. "Sitaare Zameen Par hits that elusive sweet spot for me," wrote Hansal. "It's the film Chhalaang could've aspired to be. In fact, it's what Chhalaang would've meant had it been translated literally," the filmmaker added.

Calling it a personal film, Hansal stated that it made him laugh and weep, eliciting "joyous, copious tears" from him. He emphasised that it has every element that audiences expect from an Aamir Khan film: "entertainment, meaning, and yes, a touch of manipulation." However, added the filmmaker, "there's no feeling of dishonesty in that emotional tug.

Hansal also dismissed the criticism against Aamir that he overacted, arguing that he found the actor "delightfully free, uninhibited, endearing, and completely present." He also praised the supporting actors, with a special mention to Dolly Ahaluwalia and Gurpal Singh who "were an absolute charm" according to the filmmaker.

Hansal recognised the "familiar, even predictable, template" that the film takes, which he says is "not unlike many of Aamir's earlier films." However, added the director, "this one brings with it freshness, heart, and an irrepressible joy, citing these factors as "reason enough to celebrate Sitaare Zameen Par."

At the end of the long post, Hansal reiterated his support for the pay-per-view model and recommended the audience to watch the film on YouTube.