'AAMIR KHAN': THE ACTOR, METHODOLOGIST, INSTITUTION, PHENOMENON, ACTIVIST, PERFECTIONIST

Aamir Khan is an actor, a methodologist, institution and phenomenon in itself. He is that entity in Hindi cinema, who has the star-studded value and celebrity status, but when it comes to performance in his movies, we judge him as an actor, not as a star. And, in the back of our mind, we always expect a gem from him and something which would tend to affect our intelligentsia. In case of other Khans[Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan], we judge them nowadays not as actors, but as entertainers and stars, who would utter some witty dialogues, dance to some groovy numbers, kick the villains in style, win and melt our hearts and do some Bhaigiri. Aamir may not be the charmer, and lack the aura of  Shah Rukh Khan, not have the entertainment quotient, machoism and bhaigiri  of Salman Khan and may not have their appeal. He is a different kind of phenomenon. It is the true that Aamir Khan is respected, today, not only because of his position and heights which he has achieved, it is because of the phenomenon and niche which he has created for himself and Hindi cinema. That's why he is called 'The Mr. Perfectionist'. At a time, when other Khans have some more tags associated with them, this Khan has a sole tag. No one wants to debate on Aamir Khan. It ends with the tag 'Mr. Perfectionist'. {Shah Rukh Khan is called Baadshah, SRK, Baazigar, etc. Salman Khan is called Bhai, Sallu Miyan, Dabang, Sultan, even not-so-big Khan, Saif-Ali Khan has tags like Chhote Nawab, Saifu Miyan. His film journey is a research in itself. More than the output his films yield, it is the rigorous process, which he undergoes in his movies get talked about. Nowadays, a Salman Bhai's movie releasing on Eid has to be a blockbuster, Shah Rukh Bhai swaying as usual, chanting some witty dialogues, dancing to the groovy, yet not special songs,anchoring a role alongside other co-stars in a multi-starrer film fares to be a hit at the box-office. Shah Rukh Khan, today has become more of a marketer than an actor. [Though, he deserves a position, which he earns in Hindi cinema. He has done enough to earn it.] Today, he is more into promoting his ventures and business, as owner of Kolkata Knight Riders and Red-Chillies Entertainment. After some months, he lands up in Dubai, where he owns a house, and then comes up in a multi-starrer flick. But, SRK is loosing his charm with time, maybe, because of his ageing looks and maybe he is not doing something special as such and not fitting in the space. Saif Ali Khan, fondly, called as Chhote Nawab doesn't amaze at all, barring a few out-of-the box roles. When Aamir Khan's movie nears its release, it is all awaited by the audience. Though we all know that, it would be a blockbuster, but we just expect better from the previous from him. We should appreciate Salman Khan, for his simplicity and entertainment package.

Aamir Khan, was more oriented into sports than studies. He was a state-level table tennis champion. His childhood was tough. His father, Tahir Hussain was a film producer, whose productions were not so successful. The creditors would call him(Tahir Hussain) many a times over telephone for money. Aamir was always at risk for being expelled from school for non-payment of fees. His uncle,Naseer Hussain was producer-director, who had given some very successful films. As a child, Aamir appeared in avery successful venture of his uncle, Yaadon Ki Baraat and in the film he is most remembered for his stint in the title-track. Then, he made a child appearance in a film produced by his father.  In 1981, Aamir was involved in the experimental process of making a 40-minute silent film, Paranoia, which was directed by his school-time friend Aditya Bhattacharya, Aamir had said that the experience of working in that movie encouraged him to pursue a career in movies. After completing studies, Aamir quit studies and started assisting his uncle, Naseer in film-making. Aamir then acted in some documentaries, where he was spotted by Ketan Mehta and he offered him a role in ensemble cast of a movie called Holi(1984) which was based on ragging. Aamir played the role of a rowdy-college student. The movie failed miserably at the box-office. The New York Times had reviewed the movie as melodramatic, but very decently and exuberantly performed by non-professional actors. Then, his uncle, Naseer Hussain and his son, Mansoor Khan signed him as the leading man in Mansoor's directorial debut, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak(1988; referred as QSQT, henceforth). Aamir played Raj, a clean-cut, practical, wholesome-boy-next door. A tale of unrequited love and parental opposition, based on a Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet was a huge commercial success. The movie catapulted both Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla to stardom. It received many Filmfare Awards(7 in number) and Aamir bagged the award for Best Male Debut. The movie has attained a cult status. Its songs are mesmerised even today. It is really a path-breaking and trend-setting movie for Hindi cinema. The Hindi film industry before QSQT(1988) was plagued with some very awful and monotonous kind of movies, which served the same-old romance, villains, family, songs. QSQT(1988) enabled the industry to break that chain and the focus shifted on making a family-oriented romance. In this way, QSQT is a landmark.  It would not be wrong to suggest that Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak(QSQT) paved the way for movies like Maine Pyar Kiya(1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun(1994), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge(1995) and more.


 In 1989, Raakh, a crime-thriller, directed by his friend, Aditya Bhattacharya  and Love Love Love had released. Both films failed miserably at the box-office. But, Raakh was critically acclaimed. Aamir had received a Special Mention for his performance in Raakh(1989). In 1990, 5 films of Aamir had released, out of which all of them bombed at the box-office, barring Dil(1990). A film based on parental opposition to teenage love, was a huge success and was the highest grossing movie of that year. It was very popular among the youth at that time. He followed this success next year, with a leading role alongside Pooja Bhatt in Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin(1991; DHKMN, henceforth), a Hindi remake of the Hollywood film, It Happened One Night. The music album of DHKMN(1991) is among the best music albums in Hindi cinema, and it has some very melodious songs. In 1992, he saw success with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar(1991), directed by his cousin, Mansoor Khan. In 1993, he saw success with Hum Hain Raahi Pyaar Ke(1993). Then, a comedy-movie, Andaaz Apna Apna(1994) came, which has attained a cult-status. Then, Rangeela(1995) happened. It was a blockbuster, which received critical-acclamation and was even screened at Mainstream Section of International Film Festival of India. Urmila Matondkar, who played the female-lead in the movie became an overnight sensation with the movie. We got an awe with the music of the film, and saw the genius of A.R. Rahman in the movie. Everyone, who saw this movie loved the character of Munna, a carefree, desi individual, who earned his living by selling black tickets of the movies. He also met success with Akele Hum Akele Tum(1995) in the same year. Directed by his cousin, Mansoor, the movie was about the growing ego, differences, ambitions of a wife and a husband. The film and the music was very much liked by the audience and the listeners. The same year, Baazi(1995) released. Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, the film failed to click and connect with the audience. However, Aamir's  makeover as a woman in a song(Dole Dole Dil Dole) created a huge buzz then. Then, Raja Hindustani(1996) came,which was a huge commercial success. It gave us very melodious songs. In 1997, he appeared in a successful, multi-starrer movie Ishq. It is said the plot of the movie where relationship between the friends turn bitter due to misunderstandings and situations created by their parents was suggested by Aamir Khan. In 1999, he came up with a moderately-successful, Ghulam, whose one song sung by him, Ae Kya Bolti Tu was a rage among the youth, then. Earth(1998) under the direction of Deepa Mehta released then. The movie failed at the box-office, but it received a critical-acclamation. In 1999, we saw the genius of Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh.  Although, the movie was not successful commercially, but the movie and Aamir's performance received a very high acclamation. In the same year, we saw Aamir Khan alongside Manisha Koirala in a romantic drama, Mann(1999). The audience liked the chemistry between Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala. The movie was moderately successful, but its music was a hit. In 2000, Mela came, which was first Hindi movie release of the millennium was a critical bomb. In the late 90's and early 2000's we saw him in some TV commercials. The most notable and popular among them was parts played by him in the various advertisements of Coca Cola(Thanda Matlab, Coca Cola).

There is an irony associated with Aamir Khan. Everyone appreciates his films, but he is not liked by all. He shared a strained relationship with his father, which he had disclosed on the platform of public media. He was also involved in some controversies. In the mid of 2000's a British woman claimed that Aamir had married her. Aamir was criticised for his remarks, most notably the remark in 2015 on intolerance.  His wife, Kiran Rao had asserted that she felt insecure about her son, Aazaad by the growing intolerance in the country.  It is true that they had made an insensitive remark, but it was hyper-projected. The problem with most Indians is that they react and judge first, and think later. Aamir is a reformer in himself. He likes to participate in social-issues. Sometime, in 2006, he was involved in the protest of Naramada Bachao Andolan with Medha Patkar. He was involved in advertisements, of Incredible India, which enunciated the principle of Atithi Devo Bhava. He also emphasised on preserving the national heritage of India. In 2011, he lent his support to Janlokpal Bill Movement led by Anna Hazare.  In the same year, he was appointed the national brand ambassador of UNICEF to promote child nutrition .He is the part of government-organised IEC to raise awareness about malnutrition. In 2012, he met the then Prime Minister and the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment to discuss the plight of manual scavengers in the country. We saw in the television series, Satyamev Jayate, which was highly appreciated by the public. In 2013, he went alongwith his mother for performing Haj pilgrimage to Mecca. In 2015, he quit non-vegetarian food, inspired by his wife, Kiran Rao. A few days ago, Pakistan's Censor Board came with a clause, that Dangal would release in Pakistan after the national anthem of India is scrapped. Aamir Khan took the other stand, stating that he would not let Dangal release in Pakistan without the national anthem of India being played. In terms of movies, it is remarkable that Aamir Khan's movies post-Lagaan  leave a long-lasting impression on the audience and carry a message for the moviegoers. Lagaan gave us a reason to hope and never-give-up. The movie set in the colonial era, where an arrogant officer challenges the villagers to the game of cricket as a wager to avoid the taxes. The beauty of the movie is the ray of hope which Bhuvan(Aamir Khan) provides to the villagers that would change their destiny, and in course of that, they face challenges and arduous task of learning the alien game. And, the rest is history. The same year, i.e. 2001 witnessed other release of Aamir Khan, Dil Chahta Hai. Aamir played the urban, cool Akash in the movie. The movie essayed the friendship between urban and modern youths, their aspirations, way of looking at life, love, romance, fun, infatuation, maturity. If Lagaan was the stepping milestone of Indian cinema, which set the standards of Indian film-making, then Dil Chahta Hai changed the course of Hindi cinema. Post Dil Chahta Hai, the audience was unwilling to accept and tolerate the same monotony of Hindi movie romance cooked with the spice of villainism in the shape of heroine's father and family, with the same type of songs in the voice of Kumar Sanu/Udit Narayan, and music composed by veterans of 1990's. It also paved the way of new type of songs, and music composers as Shankar-Ehsan-Loy/Vishal-Shekhar/Pritam/Sandeep Chowta and others to follow. (Though, the music of 1990's hold a special place in Hindi cinema, and it gave us some of the most melodious songs till date in Hindi cinema, composed by Nadeem-Shravan, Anand Milind, Jatin-Lalit, Uttam Singh, Viju Shah, etc. But, with time, everything changes, so has the music of Hindi cinema). And, more importantly, we have the variety and freshness in the subject of Hindi cinema and we have alternatives in subjects to choose from. After Dil Chahta Hai, Aamir took a 4-year hiatus from the industry as he was coping with the situation of breaking his marriage with Reena  Dutta. It was really a tough time for him. Then, in 2005, he came back with Mangal Pandey, essaying the title role and involvement in the 1857 Revolt, called First War of Independence in India. However, the film failed to fare well at the box-office, but his preparation, dedication and committment for the role, performance and presentation garnered much appreciation. Then, in 2006, Rang-De-Basanti released. It also set a high benchmark for Hindi cinema and it is surely one of the finest Hindi movie of 2000's. It imbibed a sense of patriotism and nationalism in the conscience of Indian youths, which was fading[but not absent]. It was the time when youths of country were being labelled as senseless, carefree, irresponsible, unsocial. useless and what not. The movie was a sort of wake-up-call for them and it raised their consciousness.There was another release in the same year, Fanaa, which showed the problem of militancy, fared well at the box-office. Then, with Taare Zammen Par in 2007, he questioned the parenting method and forced us to deal with special-children in a different manner. Then, in 2008, it was Ghajini, which was a huge blockbuster. The movie was a psychological thriller, Sanjay Singhania(Aamir Khan) who had the poblem of short-term memory loss, Anterograde Amnesia, his love interest, business life all get affected due to a disastrous incident alongwith thrills in between. Then, in 2009, he came up with another blockbuster, 3-Idiots, wherein lacunae in education system was shown and it inspired one to pursue their dreams. It was a whole-family entertainer, which was loved by all sections of the audience. After that some ventures[Dhobi Ghaat, Delhi Belly, Talaash] from his production house released, which evoked a mixed response. In 2013, he came up with the series flick, Dhoom 3, which was a huge commercial success. In 2014, came PK, where he questioned the system of religion and godmen. And, in 2016, it was Dangal, wherein the struggle and sacrifices of a father for his daughters is shown, who want them to become boxers. In the movie, the female characters, daughters of Phogat form the heart-of the film, and there was no attempt by the Mahavir Singh Phogat, the character played by Aamir to take limelight from them. This is the beauty of this superstar. No need to mention the performance and result of the movies at the box-office, as it is known to all. If we have to summarise Aamir Khan's versatility, unparalleled portrayals of characters, methodology, trends for Hindi cinema, then his views must be quoted. Somewhere, in in interview, he had said that he was more interested in the method of film-making than its result and he tried to do things in a different manner, rather than doing different things. Out of the various gems out of characterisations portrayed by Aamir Khan in Hindi cinema, it is very difficult to pick his roles as favourite. But, my personal favourites are Munna of Rangeela, ACP rathore of Sarfarosh and Mahavir Singh Phogat of Dangal.