Aamir Khan on Vir Hirani's debut: 'He is like my son'
Synopsis
Aamir Khan's emotional endorsement of Vir Hirani's debut is more than a celebrity shoutout — it spotlights a generational handoff in one of Bollywood's most storied families. With Rajkumar Hirani also making his OTT debut through 'Pritam and Pedro', the series carries the weight of two firsts at once, making it one of Indian streaming's more closely watched launches of 2025.
Key Takeaways
Aamir Khan called Vir Hirani's acting debut in 'Pritam and Pedro' 'a very emotional and special day,' describing Vir as 'like my son.' 'Pritam and Pedro' premiered on JioHotstar on 3 July 2025 , marking Rajkumar Hirani's first long-format OTT project.
Vir Hirani plays Pritam Parker , a young hacker, in the cybercrime comedy-drama.
The series is directed by Avinash Arun and features Arshad Warsi , Vikrant Massey , Boman Irani , Mona Singh , and others.
Rajkumar Hirani created, wrote, and produced the series — a notable shift from his theatrical blockbuster career.
Bollywood star Aamir Khan has described the streaming debut of Vir Hirani in 'Pritam and Pedro' as an emotionally charged milestone, calling the young actor akin to a son. The web series, created by celebrated filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, began streaming on JioHotstar on 3 July 2025, marking the director's first foray into long-format OTT content.
Aamir's Emotional Tribute to Vir Hirani
'Sitare Zameen Par' star Aamir Khan shared a heartfelt message to mark the occasion, reflecting on watching Vir grow up over the years. 'Vir is like my son, so today is a very emotional and special day for me. I've seen him grow up over the years, and it's incredibly fulfilling to watch him step into this new phase of his journey with 'Pritam and Pedro'. He's always been a bright, thoughtful, and hardworking young man, and I'm so happy to see him making his debut,' Khan said.
Extending his best wishes to the full team, Khan added, 'I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of many wonderful things to come. I wish Vir and the entire team of 'Pritam and Pedro' all the love and success. I hope audiences enjoy the series and shower it with the same warmth with which it has been made.'
About 'Pritam and Pedro'
'Pritam and Pedro' is a quirky cybercrime comedy-drama created, written, and produced by Rajkumar Hirani — his first project designed for the long OTT format. The series is directed by Avinash Arun and features an ensemble cast including Vir Hirani, Arshad Warsi, Vikrant Massey, Boman Irani, Mona Singh, Satyadeep Misra, and Shruti Marathe.
Vir Hirani, son of the acclaimed director, plays Pritam Parker, a young hacker at the centre of the narrative. The role marks his acting debut, making the series a dual landmark — both for the Hirani family and for Indian streaming content.
Rajkumar Hirani's OTT Transition
The series represents a significant creative pivot for Rajkumar Hirani, widely known for blockbusters such as '3 Idiots', 'PK', and 'Munna Bhai'. Moving from theatrical releases to a streaming platform signals a broader industry trend of top-tier filmmakers embracing long-format digital storytelling. Notably, 'Pritam and Pedro' arrives at a time when Indian OTT platforms are aggressively commissioning premium content to retain subscribers.
What to Expect
With a genre blend of cybercrime thriller and comedy, 'Pritam and Pedro' is positioned to appeal to audiences who enjoyed Hirani's signature warmth-with-wit filmmaking style. Industry observers will be watching whether the series translates his theatrical success into streaming viewership numbers on JioHotstar. All eyes are also on Vir Hirani's performance as a debutant carrying a high-profile show.
Point of View
But the real story here is Rajkumar Hirani's OTT debut — a filmmaker whose theatrical instincts built some of India's highest-grossing films now betting on long-format streaming. Whether Hirani's warmth-and-wit formula translates to binge-worthy episodic pacing is the genuine creative question 'Pritam and Pedro' must answer. Vir Hirani's debut adds a personal dimension, but it also raises the stakes: a director's son in a director's first OTT show is either a masterstroke of controlled storytelling or a recipe for uncomfortable scrutiny. The industry will watch the viewership numbers as closely as the reviews.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Pritam and Pedro' about?
'Pritam and Pedro' is a cybercrime comedy-drama streaming on JioHotstar from 3 July 2025. It follows Pritam Parker, a young hacker played by debutant Vir Hirani, and features an ensemble cast including Arshad Warsi, Vikrant Massey, and Boman Irani.
Why did Aamir Khan call Vir Hirani's debut emotional?
Aamir Khan said he has watched Vir Hirani grow up over the years and considers him 'like my son,' making the debut a deeply personal milestone for him. He described the day as 'very emotional and special.'
Is 'Pritam and Pedro' Rajkumar Hirani's first OTT project?
Yes, 'Pritam and Pedro' marks Rajkumar Hirani's first venture into long-format OTT content. Known for theatrical blockbusters, this series represents a significant creative shift for the filmmaker.
Who directed 'Pritam and Pedro'?
The series is directed by Avinash Arun, while Rajkumar Hirani served as creator, writer, and producer. It streams exclusively on JioHotstar.
