Aamir Khan, one of the most emblematic faces of Indian cinema, is much more than a simple actor: he is a creative force, an innovator, and a passionate perfectionist. Born March 14, 1965 in Mumbai, in a family deeply rooted in the film industry, Aamir grew up in a universe where cinema was not only a profession, but a culture. His father, Tahir Hussain, was a respected producer, and his uncle, Nasir Hussain, a prolific director.
From an early age, Aamir showed a marked interest in stories and narration. As a child, he was fascinated by the stories of his mother and by professional discussions around the scenarios in his father’s circle. In adolescence, he made his first short film with a comrade, an experience that confirmed his vocation.
After a few roles, including as a child, Aamir made his real beginnings in the cinema as a main actor in Qayamat se qayamat tak (1988), who instantly propelled him to the rank of superstar. Since then, he has chained critical and commercial successes such as Lagaan (2001), appointed to the Oscars, Taare Zameen by (2007),, 3 idiots (2009), Pk (2014),, Dangal (2016), which inspired a true story, made the minds by its depth and its realism and most recently Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), an Indian adaptation of the American film Forrest Gump.
A unique actor and creator
The particularity of Aamir Khan lies in his meticulous approach to each role. He completely immerses himself in his characters, exploring their psychology, their motivations and even their tiny gestures. For Dangalhe took 28 kilos to embody an aging father. In Pkhe interpreted an extraterrestrial with a subtle innocence, while avoiding clichés.
Aamir is also known for his audacity to choose stories that leave the beaten track, approaching societal themes with sensitivity and nuance. As a producer, he allowed daring projects like Taare Zameen by To see the light of day, demonstrating his commitment to a quality cinema.
Aamir Khan at the Red Sea International Film Festival
Guest of honor of the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Aamir Khan was celebrated during the opening ceremony for his exceptional contribution to the world cinema. Before this official tribute, he participated in a public conversation where he shared moving anecdotes and deep reflections on his career and his artistic philosophy.
The roots of a passion: a childhood rocked by stories
Aamir Khan begins by warmly thank the spectators present, to the delight of his fans, especially Indians, in the room. Then, he immerses himself in his childhood memories, where his passion for stories took root.
“” I grew up with the films. My family was in the cinema business, and since childhood, I loved stories. Every evening, my mother told us tales, and I was looking forward to this moment. There was also a radio program dedicated to stories, which I never missed. My father, who was producer, also had a particular talent to tell stories. I remember sitting by his side, just to listen to his stories or the conversations related to the scenarios he received. »»
He also confides that in adolescence, he often hid in a corner to listen to his father’s discussions with writers or directors. “” Little by little, he started to ask me for my opinion. Around 15 or 16 years old, I already had a fairly precise idea of how a film is preparing so much I attended films preparation sessions. In class I had a comrade who was also the son of a cinema professional and it was surprised that I knew so much. One day, he wanted to shoot a short film and asked me to help him. I think that the fight to make this film allowed me to realize that it was what I wanted to do and that it was my life. I never wanted to do something else ».
He underlines the importance of the errors made in his beginnings: ” I made a lot of mistakes, but they taught me. Some cost me dearly, but it was these experiences that forged me. »»
The shock of celebrity: an unforgettable moment
Returning to his beginnings, Aamir Khan remembers the release of his first film. “” A few days after its release, I was in the car and I saw people smile, then point the finger. They said : ‘It’s him!’ I realized that they had recognized me thanks to the film. It was strange, but it confirmed to me that I had made the right decisions by continuing this career. »»
A meticulous approach to the art of interpreting
When he talks about his acting work, Aamir Khan is precise and passionate: ” I embody a character by studying his energy, his way of thinking, speaking. During the shooting, I try to ‘lose my myself’ to become this character, but without forgetting myself completely. I think that all my characters are important to me, the main thing is that I approached them with excitement and prudence».
However, some roles remain striking, both for the public and for the actor himself. Dangalfor example, was particularly demanding on the physical level. Playing an aging and overweight father, with a different mentality from his, pushed him into his entrenchments. He remembers: “I was 35, but I had to play a much older man. This role went against all stereotypes: no romance, no usual elements to seduce the public. »»
Another singular role is that extraterrestrial in Pk. To embody total innocence while remaining credible, was one of the most delicate challenges of his career. “PK is A character who knew nothing about human life. This role was particularly difficult, because I had to make sure to make believe that I knew nothing, recognized any object that surrounded me, nor anything. Like an idiot actually, or PK is not an idiot, on the contrary it is a scientist who came to study humans. The director said to me: ‘Be careful, PK is not an idiot. He is an intelligent being, but who discovers the human world. ‘ Playing this role was a real challenge, because I had to discover everything, without appearing silly. »»
The actor who becomes producer
Aamir Khan has not always dreamed of producing films. “” When I started, I saw my father, producer himself, and I told myself that I did not want this life. However, the need to protect and materialize stories that were close to his heart pushed it in this direction. “” Sometimes I fell in love with a scenario, but I couldn’t find anyone to do him justice. I became producer out of necessity, and I ended up worshiping this. This allows me to keep a total control over the film, to shape it exactly as I imagine. “
An international and unexpected audience
One of the turning point in his producer career was Lagaan. In 2001, this film, which tells the story of an Indian village defying British settlers in a cricket match, won the public prize at the Locarno festival and was selected to represent India at the Oscars. Aamir remembers having been surprised by this international success: ” I did not expect our stories to resonate as much beyond our borders. »»
Aamir Khan is particularly fascinated by the reception of his films abroad. He remembers his first experience in Toronto: ” Seeing so many ‘white watch my film was strange and unprecedented. But what surprised me most was the success of my films in China. »»
Aamir had taken away some copies of the film Lagaan In China, where they met an enthusiastic welcome. This curious audience then discovered his other films on online platforms, becoming dedicated fans. “” This success in China is due to the work of the fans themselves. They spread my films. It made me understand the universality of our stories. We, humans, share the same emotions, with some linguistic differences. »»
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Take risks: a philosophy
For Aamir Khan, each film is a challenge. “” I prefer difficult projects, which have not been done before. Each time, I wonder if it will work. »He quotes the example of Dangalwhere he wondered if the public would agree to see a film so far from the usual Bollywood codes. Despite his doubts, he followed his heart and decided to make the film immediately, without waiting for several years as he had thought at first.
This desire to take risks is also reflected in its way of selecting the scenarios. “” If I like a scenario, if he touches me emotionally, it’s a yes. It does not matter whether it is small or large budget, what matters is that the budget corresponds to history. ” He quotes the example of Taare Zameen by A film approaching dyslexia, produced with a modest budget but perfectly suited to the subject.
Entertain, but also raise
Aamir Khan is not content to entertain. “” My first responsibility is to amuse the public, but I also believe I have the duty to tell stories that allow you to think, to evolve. It is a way of having an impact on society. »»
A future turned to young talents
For the next ten years, Aamir Khan aspires to create a platform to help young creators. “” I want to give them the means to express themselves, to materialize their ideas. Although he has the opportunity to limit himself to a few films per year and to rest, that does not interest him. “” I want to do much more. »»
An inherited sensitivity
Finally, Aamir Khan returns to the importance of empathy in his work. He recounts a striking anecdote of his childhood, where his mother, of great sensitivity, had pushed him to think about the emotions of others. “” One day, after a tennis match that I had won, instead of congratulating myself, she told me about my opponent and the sadness of her mother. It taught me to feel what others are going through. It is essential in my job, because to make films, you have to touch the hearts of people. »»
A heritage under construction
Aamir Khan concludes by evoking his admiration for artists like Amitabh Bachchan, who have always taken risks and carrying important messages. These figures inspired him to follow their example, to tell stories that matter and to take risks to advance cinema and society.
Today, more than an actor or a producer, Aamir Khan is a builder, a visionary who continues to raise his art and leave an indelible footprint in the hearts of his spectators.
Neïla Driss
