In a candid revelation, Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has stated that his primary motivation for doing the 2000 film 'Mela' was to launch the career of his younger brother, Faisal Khan. Known for his meticulous script selection, this film has always been an anomaly in Aamir's celebrated filmography, a conscious choice made for family over career strategy.
The Family Motive Behind Aamir Khan's 'Mela'
Aamir Khan has never concealed his reasons for signing the Dharmesh Darshan-directed project. The film, which released in the year 2000 and starred Aamir Khan, Faisal Khan, and Twinkle Khanna, was a vehicle to give his brother a significant platform in Bollywood. Even today, Aamir discusses this chapter with complete transparency, acknowledging that while his film choices are usually very careful, 'Mela' was driven by a different priority entirely.
Aamir's Honest Take on the Film's Failure
'Mela' did not succeed at the box office and was met with mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Aamir Khan accepts this outcome without reservation. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he expressed his feelings, stating he was "obviously disappointed by its failure to achieve its potential." He emphasized that every film he does is significant to him, making the disappointment more profound.
He also opened up about how the film's poor performance affected both him and his brother. "The failure of Mela definitely made a difference to me. It was hard on Faisal, but it was hard on me as well," Aamir shared. He highlighted the hard work put in by the entire team and the collective letdown they felt. "I’m not comfortable with the idea of any of my films not realising their full potential. The entire team had worked very hard. We were all disappointed," he added.
Faisal Khan's Gruelling Four-Year Struggle
Earlier in 2025, Faisal Khan provided his own perspective on the film's challenging journey in an interview with Pinkvilla. He revealed that 'Mela' took four years to make, having started in 1996. This period was exceptionally tough for him. Following his debut in 'Madhosh', Faisal was self-critical and decided to rebuild his skills from the ground up.
"I knew I was not a great actor, so I took lessons," Faisal admitted. His preparation was intense and multifaceted. He practiced singing to improve his voice, while simultaneously taking dance and fight training. He explained the context of Aamir's decision, noting that during the mid-90s, many actor brothers were collaborating in films. "Aamir was trying to get a film for me because at that time, many brothers were coming together," Faisal said. When solo opportunities didn't materialize, Aamir's solution was, "if nobody wants to feature Faisal alone, we should do a film together."
No Regrets After 25 Years
A quarter of a century later, Aamir Khan holds no regrets about 'Mela'. For him, the film transcends its commercial failure and critical reception. The core intention—supporting his brother and giving him a chance—was pure and personal. While 'Mela' may be catalogued in industry archives as a box office disappointment, for Aamir Khan, it remains a testament to a decision rooted in familial loyalty, a chapter he stands by with full honesty even today.
