Aamir Khan Slammed for Using IPS Trainees as PR Props, Storms Out of Press Meet When Confronted

What was supposed to be a routine promotional event for Sitaare Zameen Par turned into a PR nightmare for Aamir Khan, as the actor faced a barrage of criticism over his alleged misuse of IPS trainee officers for film publicity — and then abruptly stormed out of the press conference when questioned.

The controversy erupted after a group of IPS trainees visited Khan’s Mumbai residence as part of an official police training engagement. Instead of maintaining the formality of the visit, Khan’s PR team reportedly turned the event into a manufactured media circus, pushing planted stories about movie promotions, “security threats,” and Khan’s supposed commitment to the nation — all coinciding with the press event for his film’s digital release on YouTube pay-per-view.

Journalists, however, weren’t buying the spin. At the event, when pressed about the optics of using civil servants — among the most respected cadres in India — for cheap publicity, Aamir initially offered a vague response: “IPS trainees were visiting Bombay, and I got a request from Mumbai Police that they wanted to spend an hour with me, so I hosted them at my house.” But when follow-up questions persisted, his tone shifted. “We spoke about a lot of things — mostly I was asking them questions. I think we are done on this topic because we are discussing different topics.”

With that, Khan abruptly cut the event short, tossed the mic aside, and walked out, leaving reporters stunned.

The walkout has only intensified public outrage. Critics have condemned the actor for deflecting accountability and exploiting public institutions for personal promotion. “It’s not just tone-deaf — it’s disgraceful,” one media commentator noted.

Adding fuel to the fire is Khan’s ongoing pivot to digital platforms. Once a vocal critic of OTT releases, the actor now seems fully invested in online premieres following theatrical setbacks like Laal Singh Chaddha. Many see his current moves not as innovation, but as desperate backpedaling.

With mounting backlash, Aamir Khan’s latest outing has sparked more debate about ethics in celebrity PR than excitement for the film itself.