Actor Aamir Khan’s latest film Sitaare Zameen Par faced a hiccup during its digital release as viewers were charged more than the announced rental price. While the film was supposed to be available for Rs 100 on YouTube, several users reported being charged Rs 179 when renting it through Apple devices.
Aamir Khan Productions quickly responded with an apology on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the team wrote, “Our sincere apologies 🙏🏽 We just became aware that the cost to rent our film Sitaare Zameen Par is reflecting as Rs 179 on Apple devices.We are trying to resolve this issue as soon as possible.Thank you for your patience and understanding 🙏🏽.”
Khan’s film was released using a new pay-per-view model, where viewers could rent it directly from his official YouTube channel instead of going through major streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime Video. The goal was to make films more accessible and affordable for audiences, especially in areas without cinemas or OTT subscriptions.
The issue with Apple device pricing is currently being addressed, and users are being advised to wait until the rates are corrected.
The pricing issue has started a larger conversation around how prices sometimes vary across devices. In the past, users have reported similar instances with apps like Zepto and Uber.
As per media reports, Zepto has faced criticism for charging higher prices for the same grocery items on Apple devices, while Uber fares have also appeared higher on iPhones compared to Android phones for the same routes and timings. These differences are often linked to platform-specific policies, commissions, or user behaviour patterns.
