“Every child is a star. Some shine on the court. Some on the screen. And some, on both.” — A reflection inspired by the shared spirit of Aamir Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par and IB Sports Academy’s mission
✨ Magic of Collaboration: IB x Aamir Khan#
In a country where cricket often overshadows other sports, something extraordinary happened behind the scenes of a Bollywood production. Aamir Khan Productions, while developing their emotionally charged new film Sitaare Zameen Par, reached out to IB Sports Academy, not just to use a sports setting, but to bring a touch of grassroots authenticity into their story.
Over days of collaboration, IB Sports Academy became a vibrant part of the shoot. We brought in our Head Coach - Ishwar Bhati, youth athletes, and the spirit of real grassroots sport to help bring authenticity to the shoot. This wasn’t just a shoot. It was a collaboration rooted in a shared passion for sports and youth empowerment.
It all culminated in a celebratory photoshoot and heartfelt interaction session, bringing together our young athletes, Head Coach Ishwar Bhati, and the legend himself, Aamir Khan, where stars from two very different worlds met, face to face.
🏀 From Coaching Drills to Camera Rolls#
Imagine the scene: bright-eyed athletes, jerseys crisp, sneakers laced, hearts pounding. Not for a final buzzer shot, but to share space with a man who’s been inspiring India for decades.
Aamir didn’t come to watch a match. He came to meet. To interact. And to share moments that our athletes will never forget. The players from Delhi stood proudly alongside him, contributing real energy to scenes that aimed to reflect the spirit of youth sports.
He signed basketballs. Jerseys. Even blank pages, each a canvas for dreams yet to be written. But most importantly, he signed off on a message: “You matter. Your story matters. And India needs to see you shine.”
🎬 About Sitaare Zameen Par: A Film with Heart#
Produced by the visionary Aamir Khan and directed by R. S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par is a spiritual successor to Taare Zameen Par but this time, the spotlight is on the hidden champions of the field, the court, and beyond.
This movie is a celebration of children who defy odds, who express themselves not through conventional excellence but through passion, perseverance, and raw talent. Themes of neurodiversity, resilience, dream-chasing, and mentorship echo through every frame.
That’s why IB Sports Academy, Delhi’s leading youth basketball training organization made sense.
We don’t just build athletes. We build stories. We shape futures. And we believe, just like this film, that a child’s spark only needs the right sky to shine.
🎥 Coach on Camera: Ishwar Bhati’s Cameo in Sitaare Zameen Par#
While much of our collaboration happened behind the scenes, there’s a moment early in Sitaare Zameen Par where fiction and reality truly blur.
In the opening basketball match sequence between Delhi and Karnataka, audiences catch a special glimpse of IB Sports Academy’s very own Head Coach, Ishwar Bhati, stepping into a small but meaningful on-screen role. Portraying the Karnataka team’s coach, Coach Bhati appears opposite Aamir Khan, who plays the assistant coach of the Delhi squad.
You’ll see him in multiple background shots, strategizing from the sidelines, observing the match with the intensity only a real coach could bring. Even his distinctive car makes an appearance, a subtle nod to the real people and real stories behind this cinematic journey.
Though it’s a brief role, it reflects the spirit of real-life coaches who dedicate their lives to shaping young athletes across India.
🌠 What This Meant to Our Athletes#
For our students, this wasn’t just a photo op. This was representation. This was proof that what they do matters, not just in the eyes of a coach, but in the lens of a camera that will show their world to millions.
“I’ve seen Aamir Khan on screen all my life. Today, he saw me. That changes everything.” — An IB Academy player
They’ll never forget the handshake. The laughter. The moment they became part of a bigger story.
🤝 IB Sports x Cinema: Elevating Real Stories#
This collaboration isn’t a first, it’s part of a growing legacy. Over the years, IB Sports Academy has partnered with several Bollywood productions, offering real locations, real athletes, and real energy that brings on-screen stories to life.
What makes this journey with Sitaare Zameen Par special is how it deepens that legacy, placing our student-athletes at the heart of a film that celebrates youth, resilience, potential and basketball.
This collaboration offered a glimpse into how sports and cinema can connect, not as equals, but as complementary forces. While IB Sports Academy played a small but proud role in bringing real youth energy to a cinematic story, the spotlight rightly belongs to the film and its powerful message. We’re grateful to have been even a small part of its journey.
At IB Sports Academy, we continue to open our doors to:
- 🎥 Filmmakers seeking authentic youth-centered narratives
- 🏀 Brands looking to connect meaningfully with the next generation
- 🌍 Social impact creators pursuing truth, inspiration, and reach
Want to feature authentic stories? Need real talent and settings for your film? Want your project to connect with grassroots sports?
Let’s talk.
📧 academyibsports@gmail.com | 🌐 ibsportsacademy.com | 📲 @ibsportsacademy
🏀✨🎬 What’s Next?#
We’ll be releasing exclusive behind-the-scenes video content on:
- 📸 Instagram Reels
- 📺 YouTube Shorts
- 🏀 Our blog & training channels
Follow along and witness how cinema and sports can uplift, empower, and unite.
Because here at IB Sports Academy, we believe, the next blockbuster isn’t a movie. It’s a movement.
🏀 Ready to Elevate Your Game?#
Join the movement! At IB Sports Academy, we’re not just building ballers, we’re cultivating championship mindsets that instill leadership, resilience, and success both on and off the court.
👉 Train with us and unleash your potential!
🚀 Follow our journey on
Instagram &
Youtube.
💬 Have thoughts or questions? Connect with us or share this post with a fellow baller!