Aamir Khan: The Sikandar of Bollywood

Actor talks secret behind his success after 30 years in Indian cinema

From the 1995 Rangeela to the 2016 Dangal, it’s no secret that Aamir Khan is one of Bollywood’s biggest superstars. The actor recently took a trip down memory lane as he completed 30 years in Indian cinema, revealing how various experiences through the different stages of his life have made him what he is today, reported The Indian Express.

Aamir Khan's transformation for his upcoming project will blow your mind

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The Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar star has been one of the pioneers in introducing what is now considered as a replacement of yesteryears’ ‘jubilee weeks’ – the 100 crore club. Speaking about his first day on the sets of the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Aamir quipped, “It was my first day of shooting and we were in Ooty. The scene was where we are lost, and I was lying on the straws. All of a sudden there was so much fog there that we had to wait the whole day to shoot and I felt that if my first day of shooting as an actor is a washout, then this isn’t a good omen. I hoped my career wouldn’t be like that.”

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When asked about his acting talent, Amir added, “I’m not a born actor… like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Dilip Kumar, Amitji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Zaira (Wasim). They all are powerhouses. When they give a shot, it comes out very naturally and effortlessly. I don’t think I have that gift.” He explained this referring to a case he observed while shooting for Dangal. “When we were rehearsing for Dangal, Zaira got the accent in about a week’s time while I took four months to get it right and still on the days we used to shoot I used to struggle with it. So I need to work my way to get it right. I’m not a natural.”

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Aamir further explained what works for him as an actor. “The first reading I feel is so bad! During Lagaan’s reading, I felt Ashutosh (Gowariker) would drop me from the film with the likes of Raghubir Yadav around. So my first reading is pathetic according to me. Post that I start working on it and my biggest strength is that I’m not scared to fail. So even if my rehearsals are bad, I keep doing it, so I figure out what and how I eventually want to pitch. Also, I have a good sense of performance. So while some are gifted, I know for me I’ve to work and achieve that point.”

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The 53-year-old actor feels his interest in human behaviour and psychology helps him make his performance more nuanced. “If I am hurt and enact the same then it isn’t that effective, I feel. But if I’m hurt and don’t show it but the audiences get that feeling of me being hurt, then my performance has got layers in it. The moment your performance is layered, it automatically gets richer, otherwise, it all looks superficial.”

Aamir Khan reveals one of his 'toughest roles'

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Over a span of 30 years, there must have been one character that would have been difficult for Aamir to play on screen. Speaking about this, he said, “It has to be PK. It is because I play an alien and I have no reference points. But Raju gave me a good cue. He said that I should think I’m from the Earth and have been transported to a different planet.”

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