During the Covid-19 pandemic, Bollywood icon Aamir Khan considered stepping away from the film industry for good after an illustrious four-decade-long career. Reflecting on this period, Khan shared with AFP in London that he had been contemplating many things and, in the midst of the pandemic, realized that he had dedicated most of his adult life to the “magical world of cinema.” Despite this, he admitted to feeling guilty about neglecting his personal life and not giving it the attention he had hoped for.
Khan, known for his roles in iconic films like Lagaan, 3 Idiots, Dangal, and Taare Zameen Par, said the realization of lost time led him to think about quitting filmmaking. However, his family, including his two children, persuaded him to continue, and he eventually decided against retirement. “In my head, I quit. And then I didn’t,” Khan said.
Now nearing 60, Khan, who resides in Mumbai, intends to keep acting and producing films for the foreseeable future. He also aims to use his company, Aamir Khan Productions, as a platform to nurture new talent and tell stories that resonate with him.
Khan’s recent project, Lost Ladies, a Hindi-language comedy co-produced with his ex-wife Kiran Rao, was India’s entry for the Oscars’ foreign film category this year. The film is one of many where Khan has tackled social issues in India, including women’s rights and disability. Despite his successes, Khan refuses to be limited to one genre, saying he enjoys experimenting and surprising both himself and his audience.
Khan has also been open about his disappointment with his last performance in Laal Singh Chaddha, an Indian adaptation of Forrest Gump. He admitted that he was not pleased with his portrayal, feeling his performance was too high-pitched. Looking forward, Khan is optimistic about his upcoming project, Sitaare Zameen Par, a thematic sequel to Taare Zameen Par, which focuses on special needs education.
Despite his numerous accolades, including India’s third-highest civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, Khan still defines success by the quality of the films he produces, emphasizing the importance of the storytelling process. “Filmmaking is very difficult… When I look at the film we’ve made and compare it to the script we started with, if we’ve achieved what we set out to do, then it’s a big relief,” Khan said.
