Sitaare Zameen Par: Meet Gopi Krishnan Varma from Aamir Khan starrer, India’s first lead actor with Down Syndrome

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In June 2025, you’ll find Aamir Khan both acting in and producing the sports comedy “Sitaare Zameen Par.” This movie is based on the 2018 Spanish film “Campeones” and will hit theaters then. The latest teaser showcases Aamir as a tough-talking, no-nonsense character who’s been given community service, coaching a basketball team of intellectually challenged individuals. The sneak peek suggests that the movie promises a mix of laughter and emotional intensity for viewers.

All you need to know about Gopi Krishnan Varma

In the film’s trailer, it’s not just Aamir Khan who stands out as the lead; instead, it’s the talented basketball players with Down Syndrome who steal the show with their remarkable acting abilities. Meanwhile, Gopi Krishnan Varma, a popular Malayalam actor, makes his Bollywood debut by portraying one of these intellectually challenged young characters.

India’s first lead actor with Down Syndrome

Overcoming substantial health hurdles, Gopi Krishnan emerged as India’s pioneering lead actor living with Down Syndrome. His remarkable life story underscores the significance of embracing diversity and promoting representation within the film industry.

Gopi was born in 1998, diagnosed with Down Syndrome to his parents, Kishore Aniyan and Ranjini. As an infant, he struggled with significant respiratory issues and hyperactivity. Medical professionals had cautioned his parents about the potential serious complications linked to his condition.

Regardless of the hurdles he faced, Gopi Krishnan developed into a healthier individual compared to many other kids with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, his cognitive abilities and energy levels were more advanced than those typically seen in people with Down Syndrome.

Throughout his life, Gopi Krishnan Varma had consistent backing from his parents. In fact, his mother would often accompany him to school and stay with him until the end of the day.

In order for him to learn from typically-abled peers, his parents encouraged it as well. Consequently, Gopi went to both specialized and mainstream schools up until the eighth grade. From then on, he finished his remaining education solely at a mainstream school.

Gopi Krishnan’s inspiring journey

Even with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Gopi Krishnan Varma managed to watch full-length films at the cinema. Furthermore, he garnered a considerable amount of recognition due to his popular TikTok videos.

During this timeframe, filmmakers Sam Xavier and George Kora were on a quest to find an actor suitable for portraying a character with unique abilities in their movie titled Thirike. This pursuit eventually led them to contact Gopi Krishnan’s physician.

In 2021, Gopi Krishnan Varma clinched the leading role in Thirike, marking him as the inaugural actor with Down Syndrome to headline a film, an achievement that earned him recognition in the India Book of Records.

In the film “Sitaare Zameen Par,” Aamir Khan has deliberately chosen actors who have Down Syndrome to play characters with special abilities, and Gopi Krishnan is among this exceptional cast. The movie will be released in theaters on June 20, 2025.

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2025-05-21 15:37