Aamir Khan: The Perfectionist’s Journey

In a recent interview with SCREEN, Aamir Khan opened up about his journey as an actor, his experiences, and his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par. The Bollywood superstar, known for his perfectionism, has been through a rollercoaster of emotions in the last five years, having quit acting twice. Once during the pandemic, driven by his guilt over not spending enough time with his family, and again after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha.

The Compulsive Streak

Aamir Khan admits that he has a compulsive streak to do a film if the story has entered his bloodstream. This was the case with RS Prasanna’s coming-of-age film Sitaare Zameen Par, a Hindi adaptation of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones. Khan reveals that the script was an extension of what he was trying to say in his 2007 directorial debut Taare Zameen Par. The film’s theme of inclusion and the challenges faced by children with learning disabilities resonated deeply with him.

A Spiritual Sequel

Sitaare Zameen Par can be seen as a spiritual sequel to Taare Zameen Par, with the story taking a step further in exploring the theme of inclusion. The film features 10 neuro-atypical children, each with their unique challenges, coming together to help their coach. Khan believes that the film’s message is more relevant today than ever, and he is proud to be a part of it.

Lessons from the New Generation

Aamir Khan had the opportunity to work with 10 new actors in Sitaare Zameen Par, and he was impressed by their talent and dedication. He believes that they taught him a lot about the importance of humility and the need to stay grounded in the film industry. Khan recalls that the set of Sitaare Zameen Par was one of the smoothest sail he has had in his 35-year career, with no ego clashes or creative differences.

Genelia D’Souza: A Blast from the Past

Genelia D’Souza plays Khan’s wife in Sitaare Zameen Par, but their association goes back to 2008 when she was cast opposite his nephew Imran Khan in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. Khan reveals that he did think about their past association, but he believes that age is not a barrier for actors anymore, thanks to the advent of VFX.

Imran Khan: The Creative Soul

Aamir Khan’s nephew Imran Khan quit acting 10 years ago, and Khan reveals that Imran has a certain creative instinct that makes him uncomfortable with the mainstream construct of the film industry. Imran wants to play real characters, not just heroes, and Khan believes that he would have done well in films like Jaane Tu… and Delhi Belly.

Junaid Khan: The Next Generation

Aamir Khan’s elder son Junaid Khan is also an actor, and Khan is proud of his work in films like Loveyapa and Ek Din. Khan believes that Junaid has a rare quality that allows him to become the character he plays, and he is not afraid to take risks. Khan is confident that Junaid will make a name for himself in the film industry, but he also knows! that success will come when the time is right.

Laal Singh Chaddha: A Hard Pill to Swallow

Aamir Khan was quite depressed and heartbroken after the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha, but he has come to terms with it. He believes that the film’s failure was a hard pill to swallow, but he has learned from the experience. Khan reveals that he was surprised by the audience’s reaction to the film, but he respects their opinion.

Sitaare Zameen Par: A New Beginning

Aamir Khan was initially hesitant to act in Sitaare Zameen Par, but the script had gone into his bloodstream, and he couldn’t resist the opportunity to be a part of it. Khan reveals that he had to break the news to Farhan Akhtar and Sivakarthikeyan, who were initially cast in the film, but they were both supportive of his decision.

Confidence in Sitaare Zameen Par

Aamir Khan is confident about Sitaare Zameen Par, despite the current trend of spectacle films dominating the box office. He believes that the film’s message and theme will resonate with the audience, and he is willing to take the risk. Khan reveals that he has decided to release the film only in theaters, and it will premiere on television or streaming only after one year.

Massy Action Films: Not on the Cards

Aamir Khan is not planning to do a massy action film anytime soon, but he does enjoy doing them once in a while. Khan reveals that his favorite genre is drama with humor, like Rajkumar Hirani’s films. He is excited about his upcoming project with Lokesh Kanagaraj, which is a massy film, but he believes that it will be a departure from his usual genre.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Biopic

Aamir Khan is working on a biopic of Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, with Rajkumar Hirani. Khan reveals that they are excited about the project, but they were unaware that SS Rajamouli is also making a biopic on the same subject.

One: The Story of the Ultimate Myth

Aamir Khan’s cousin Mansoor Khan is planning to adapt his book One: The Story of the Ultimate Myth into a film, and Khan is reportedly going to be a part of it. However, Khan is skeptical about Mansoor’s plans, as he has decided not to direct any more films.

In conclusion, Aamir Khan’s journey as an actor has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with ups and downs, but he remains committed to his craft. He is passionate about telling stories that resonate with the audience, and he is willing to take risks to bring those stories to life. With Sitaare Zameen Par, Khan is hoping to make a statement about the importance of inclusion and the need to stay grounded in the film industry.

Content originally published by indianexpress.com