Aamir Khan
- In full:
- Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan
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Aamir Khan (born March 14, 1965, Bombay [now Mumbai], India) is an Indian film actor who is known for his consistent performances. His insistence on a complete script before shooting and working on only one film at a time heralded a new professionalism in Bollywood. In a career spanning more than three decades, Khan has acted in a wide range of films and is recognized for his use of method acting and preference for socially relevant narratives.
Personal life and family
Khan was born into a family of filmmakers: his father, Tahir Hussain, was a producer; uncle Nasir Hussain was a leading producer-director in the 1970s; and cousin Mansoor Khan is a director, writer, and producer. He trained in tennis and competed in the Maharashtra State Championship. In 1986 he married Reena Dutta, with whom he has two children: Junaid Khan, an actor, and Ira Khan, an assistant director. The marriage ended in 2002. He married filmmaker Kiran Rao in 2005, and they had a son, Azad, in 2011. The couple separated in 2021.
Early career and breakthrough
In 1973 Khan appeared as a child actor in the hit drama Yaadon Ki Baaraat (Procession of Memories). However, after appearing in Madhosh (1974; “Drunk”), he did not return to the big screen again until Holi (1985).
Khan debuted as a lead actor in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988; “From Doom to Doom”), directed by Mansoor Khan. The hit film, a tragic love story backed by memorable music, earned him a Filmfare Award for best male debut in 1989 and established his image as the boy next door. After a series of mediocre movies, Khan again found box-office success with Dil (1990; “Heart”) and Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991; “The Heart Doesn’t Understand”).
Rise to stardom
In 1992 Khan solidified his reputation as an audience favorite with the coming-of-age drama Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (“He Who Wins Is King”). The film’s soundtrack, composed by the music-director brothers Jatin Pandit and Lalit Pandit, popularly known as Jatin-Lalit, struck a chord with audiences, with “Pehla Nasha” (“The First Intoxication”) becoming one of Bollywood’s most cherished love songs. Its slow-motion visuals and dreamy melody made it a standout.
Aamir Khan appeared in advertisements for competing cola brands Pepsi and Coca-Cola in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively. A Pepsi commercial, in which he portrays a young man going to adventurous lengths to find a bottle of Pepsi for his neighbor and her friend, became a cultural sensation in India. In a series of ads for Coca-Cola, he took on diverse roles, including a refined Bengali gentleman, a spirited Punjabi farmer, and an urban woman.
After appearing in a number of youthful romantic roles, Khan in the mid-1990s began to show his versatility by playing characters in a variety of genres. His flair for comedy earned particular praise. He starred alongside Salman Khan in the slapstick rom-com Andaz Apna Apna (1994; “Everyone Has Their Own Style”). It was not a commercial success upon release but later became a cult classic. In Rangeela (1995; Bollywood Dreams) he was cast as a street-smart orphan coping with his childhood sweetheart’s sudden rise as an actress. He starred alongside actors Kajol, Juhi Chawla, and Ajay Devgn in the romantic comedy Ishq (1997; “Love”). He also appeared in a number of acclaimed dramas, including Raja Hindustani (1996), for which he won a Filmfare Award for best actor, and Deepa Mehta’s Earth (1998), in which he portrayed an ordinary man caught in the tumult of the partition of India.
2001: The year of Aamir Khan
Khan won a Filmfare Award for best actor for his performance in Lagaan (2001; also released as Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India). He played the role of Bhuvan, a villager in 1893 colonial India, who leads his community in a cricket match against British colonizers to avoid paying excessive taxes. This internationally acclaimed historical saga also received an Academy Award nomination for best foreign-language film. Khan went on to star in Dil Chahta Hai (2001; “The Heart Desires”), a landmark Bollywood film directed by Farhan Akhtar, which redefined youth-centric storytelling with its realistic portrayal of modern friendships and relationships.
Later films
Khan played the title character in Mangal Pandey: The Rising (2005), about a leading revolutionary in the Indian Mutiny (1857–58). He also starred in Rang De Basanti (2006; “Paint Me Yellow”), a drama that explores youth, patriotism, and social justice. Winner of several Filmfare Awards, including ones for best film and best director, Rang De Basanti remains one of Indian cinema’s most socially resonant works. His later performances included 3 Idiots (2009), Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), the biographical sports drama Dangal (2016; “Wrestling Arena”), and Thugs of Hindostan (2018).
Production and direction
Khan established Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) in 1999, and Lagaan (2001) was among its early successes. Khan’s directorial debut came with AKP’s Taare Zameen Par (2007; Like Stars on Earth). He also starred in the critically acclaimed drama, about a dyslexic child’s struggles. AKP produced several other films, including Peepli Live (2010), Delhi Belly (2011), Secret Superstar (2017), Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), an adaptation of Forrest Gump (1994), and Laapataa Ladies (2023; Lost Ladies).
Khan debuted on television in AKP’s Satyameva Jayate (2012–14; “Truth Triumphs”), a talk show addressing key social issues.
Aamir Khan was awarded two of India’s highest civilian honors: the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010.
Controversy
In 2015 Khan sparked a nationwide debate when he revealed at an awards ceremony that his then-wife, Kiran Rao, had expressed concerns over rising intolerance in India. Rao had suggested they consider leaving the country for their child’s safety because of a growing sense of insecurity and fear. The backlash was swift—e-commerce giant Snapdeal dropped him as a brand ambassador and he was removed from the government-sponsored Incredible India tourism campaign. He later clarified that they had no intention of leaving the country.