Being a Bollywood star for 25 years is not always a joyride, but Aamir Khan wouldn't trade this profession for any other. "Indian cinema has completed a century run and I've been there for a quarter of this journey, touching people's hearts and making them laugh. It feels great," he beams, settling on a couch in his Bandra office.
He's also just delivered Hindi cinema's biggest grosser, Dhoom 3, which was Aamir Khan all the way? "Is that a criticism?" he asks with a laugh, pointing out that it was understandable he'd have more screen time since he was playing a double role and the story evolved around the twins. "If people had not liked me that would have been a problem. But given that the film did a business of Rs 285 crore in India and Rs 160 crore worldwide, I guess the majority did," Aamir reasons.
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After this, expectations are sky high from P.K. which after four years brings the 3 Idiots trio back. The actor admits that he still gets sleepless nights and nightmares a month before every release, but this time, he insists, the burden is more on Raj Kumar Hirani, the film's co-writer and director. "Raju wanted to spend more time on the editing which is why the release was pushed to December," he says. "Besides, some portions with Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) are yet to be shot."
Buzz is, the delay was because he wanted to play Santa again. And with the second season of his talk show, Satyamev Jayate (SMJ), coming up in March, he wasn't sure he'd be able to promote the film in June. "I had agreed to a June release without expecting to play Santa. And this season the 13 episodes of SMJ have been spread over three segments--the first five will air in March, the second lot mid-year and the final instalment towards the year-end," he informs. The reason is that he believes the audience needs time to absorb and reflect on the issues raised, and be a part of the change they are trying to initiate.
But won't this one-of-a-kind format affect TRPs and make the advertisers shy away? "The advertisers are there, and how can you follow TRPs for a show airing on eight channels besides Doordarshan, and dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Malyalam and Marathi?" he retorts.
The first season of the show had doctors up in arms over an episode on medical malpractice. Aamir insists the intention is not to hurt but initiate a discussion usually not spoken on a public platform. "After the episode on female foeticide, the male-female sex ratio has gone up by 40 points in Maharashtra and Rajasthan which is phenomenal. The episode that upset doctors brought to light that India spends only 3-4 per cent of its GDP on healthcare. If it spent more on subsidised medical colleges where students could train without having to spend crores, they wouldn't be in a rush to earn back crores," he argues.
Aamir's daughter Ira is in the 10th standard and he rues that our education system focuses on our ability to read, write and memorise. and not our ability to care, philosophise or even perform. "I got exactly 60 per cent in my board exams, that didn't stop me from going ahead and when I look back, these marks are an insignificant blip," he asserts.
His son Junaid has been assisting Hirani and while Aamir would be happy if any of his kids joined the same field as it'd allow them to share a new space in their relationship, he has no idea if this is what his son wants to do. "But given his intelligence, sensitivity and the way Reena has brought him up, Junaid will do well in whatever he chooses. My advice to him is follow his heart, the 3 Idiots way," he smiles.
Meanwhile, little Azad is growing up to be a sportsman. Though only two, he brandishes a tennis racket, wields a cricket bat and rides a cycle. But he doesn't watch TV and hasn't seen any of daddy's films. "He's gone with me to a shoot sometimes but doesn't know I'm an actor. I guess he's figured I do something," Aamir chuckles.
Azad may not watch movies but daddy does. What did he think of Jai Ho which he promoted on the social networking sites? "I have not yet seen Jai Ho, but Salman (Khan) is a friend who has promoted my films many times. So I did the same for him too," he says.
And now that Salman and Shah Rukh (Khan) have buried the hatchet, will this bring a change in their relationship or the industry's status quo? "Shah Rukh is a friend too, we addressed the industry's issues once, together. And not just actors, even producers, directors, musicians, technicians, exhibitors and distributors should come together as an industry to improve things within the system," he maintains.
For someone who at 40-plus convincingly passed off as a college kid in 3 Idiots, what does he thing of cosmetic changes to improve one's appearance? Aamir is not in favour, believing we're all special in our own way and our inner beauty makes the difference. "But if the way one looks is affecting someone's personality and ability to enjoy life, like if a young boy is not feeling good about losing hair early, I'd say why not?" he argues. "Moreover, a personal decision should not be subject to public scrutiny. No one has the right to question one on what he or she does with his or her body."
So much for cosmetic changes, what's happening on the Aamir Khan Productions front? "Nothing for now. Kiran's working on a couple of ideas and a few scripts are being developed. As soon as something interesting comes up, I will produce it," he says.
Buzz is, he has locked a script he has written and is set to direct. "I'm not going to direct for the next fourfive years," Aamir asserts. "I'm enjoying myself as an actor, I want to concentrate on acting. And before you ask, there've been offers but nothing is confirmed."
It's almost 11 pm. That's my goodnight cue to leave Aamir to his idli-sambar dinner.
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