Ahead of the much-awaited World Television Premiere of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ on Sony MAX on May 31 at 1 pm, the film’s young champions are fondly revisiting the unforgettable journey that made the movie such a special part of their lives. From laughter-filled moments on set to emotional bonds that turned co-stars into family, the cast members have opened up about the memories that made them instantly say “yes” to the film.

For many of the young actors, the warmth and positivity on the sets made the experience memorable from the very beginning. Ayush Bhansali, who plays Lotus in the film, shared how his nervousness vanished the moment he arrived on set. “On the first day of the shoot, I was very anxious and curious because I was meeting so many new people. But surprisingly, everyone welcomed me with hugs and smiles. It instantly made me feel at home, like I was part of one big family. That positive vibe made every day feel happy and exciting,” he said.

Ayush also recalled one of the most exciting surprises during the shoot when superstar Shah Rukh Khan visited the set. “We were casually chatting during the shoot when suddenly Shah Rukh Khan came on set! I was shocked and kept wondering, ‘What? Shah Rukh Khan? Where did he come from?’ We all ran to meet him, hugged him, and he was so warm and entertaining with all of us. He kept cracking jokes and making us laugh. It was honestly one of the best days of my life,” he added.

The film’s cheerful environment and strong camaraderie among the cast created countless fun moments during the long schedule. Gopi Krishnan Varma, who essays the role of Guddu, remembered some of the funniest scenes from the film. “The lift scene where I pushed Aamir Sir was very funny. And then there was the bathing scene with Chooha ji that was unforgettable!” he shared with a smile.

What stood out most for the champions was the easy and friendly bond they shared with Aamir Khan throughout the shoot. Despite being one of the biggest stars in the country, the actor ensured that everyone felt comfortable and equal on set. “Aamir Sir is a super actor. He is very talented, but with us, he was just like a friend. Super cool,” Gopi added.

The nearly two-year-long journey of workshops, basketball training sessions, rehearsals, and shooting eventually became much more than just a film project for the entire team. Ashish Pendse, who plays Sunil Gupta in the movie, said the atmosphere on set never allowed their energy levels to drop. “We all worked very hard for the film, but they say if the beginning is good, everything becomes easier. No matter how many retakes happened, our energy never went down because there was always masti and excitement on set. Sometimes we would meet Shah Rukh Khan Sir, and sometimes we would simply have fun with Aamir Sir,” he said.

Ashish further added that the appreciation the film received after its release made the entire experience even more meaningful. “We never realised how these two years passed by so quickly. The love, applause, and appreciation we received after the film released made us extremely happy. More than anything, this film spread awareness and gave such a beautiful message to audiences,” he said.

As ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ gears up for its World Television Premiere, the heartfelt stories shared by its young champions offer audiences a glimpse into the genuine affection, friendship, and joy that shaped the film both on and off screen.

The World Television Premiere of ‘Sitaare Zameen Par’ will air on Sunday, May 31 at 1 pm only on Sony MAX.