Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan recently made a surprising confession about his three-decade-long film career, stating he has no idea how he became a star given his consistent pattern of breaking every established rule in the industry.
The Unconventional Path to Stardom
Speaking at a session during the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the 60-year-old actor reflected on his journey with genuine bewilderment. "I don't know how I became a star. By all logic, I should not have been a star," Aamir told the audience at the session titled "The Narrative Architect of Social Transformation."
The acclaimed actor emphasized that throughout his career spanning over 30 years, he consistently chose projects that defied conventional wisdom and went against market trends. "I broke all the rules and I made everything impractical. So, I feel grateful that I received so much respect and success," he expressed with heartfelt appreciation.
Filmography of Experimental Choices
Aamir Khan took the audience through his remarkable film journey, highlighting how some of his most iconic films were considered risky experiments at their time of release. From "Sarfarosh" and "Lagaan" to "Dil Chahta Hai," "Ghajini," and "Taare Zameen Par," each project carried elements that made industry experts skeptical about their commercial potential.
"In fact, almost every film I used to pick, I used to be like, 'I don't know whether this is going to work,'" the actor revealed. He specifically recalled the uncertainty surrounding "Lagaan" and "Sarfarosh" during their release periods, noting that the team had no clear indication whether audiences would embrace these unconventional narratives.
The actor's latest release, "Sitaare Zameen Par," continued this pattern of unexpected success. The film, which features Aamir as Gulshan - an assistant coach who ends up coaching a team of specially-abled basketball players - surprised everyone by earning over Rs 250 crore at the box office despite initial industry skepticism.
Going Against Industry Trends
Aamir Khan contrasted his approach with contemporary film industry practices where many creators try to second-guess audience preferences. "They are like, 'What is it that I should make today?' The obvious answer is what people are watching and what are the films running nowadays in the market," he observed.
However, the actor firmly stated that he has never operated this way. "I pick films based on my own personal excitement towards the story. And most often, that goes against what is the norm at that time," he explained, citing the example of "Ghajini" in 2008 when action films were considered out of fashion in Bollywood.
His philosophy of choosing scripts that personally excite him rather than following market trends has become his signature approach. "I like to surprise my audience and myself as an actor. I don't want to do the same thing again and again," Aamir emphasized during the session.
Entertainment First, Message Second
While Aamir Khan's films like "Sitaare Zameen Par," "Taare Zameen Par," "Dangal," and "3 Idiots" have been praised for addressing important social issues, the actor clarified that he doesn't actively seek out social causes. "I am not an activist and nor am I someone who is interested in actively taking up issues. That's not me," he stated clearly.
The actor stressed that his primary responsibility remains entertaining audiences, though he expanded the definition of entertainment beyond just laughter. "The word entertain is not just make you laugh. I can make you cry also and entertain you. Basically, I want to engage you in one way or the other," he explained, mentioning various genres from horror films to suspense thrillers and family dramas.
As Aamir Khan currently searches for his next project, he remains committed to his core principle: "The first attraction for me is the great script. And if that great script is also telling us something which is socially relevant, it's all the better. But I am not trying to look for social themes."
The actor's refreshing honesty about his unconventional career path and his continued commitment to following his creative instincts rather than market trends offers valuable insights into what has made him one of Bollywood's most respected and successful stars over three remarkable decades.
