Why Aamir Khan constantly swam against the tide

His box office credentials are unmatched even today. And after completing 30 years in Bollywood, actor Aamir Khan says despite facing scepticism in his initial days in the industry, he has always believed in experimenting with his roles and films.

Reflecting on film choices that set him apart from the rest, Aamir felt like a “lone ranger” at times. “When I came into the industry, I was a minority, a lone ranger, who was trying to do films that I believed in, but the market did not,” says Aamir, who made a smashing debut with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988 has been entertaining people since then. His last release, Secret Superstar (2017), was a hit, too.

Aamir is one the bankable stars in cinema today. But, he says that the ride to stardom wasn’t easy. “I was constantly swimming against the tide to do films that I believed in. Now the tide has changed. So the films that I believed in at that time, have actually become more mainstream today.”

The actor, who has bridged the gap between commercial and content-driven cinema, insists that he is not searching for social message in a film. “I am not setting out for what the next social issue (should be). I have had a mix range of films and I get drawn to stories which I like.” The actor, who reacts to a script like an audience, says, “It (script) has to be something that excites me, engages me. Sometimes it might have a message, sometimes it might not. I don’t think whether it is commercial or not. I’m not able to think like that. I feel my cinema should be good and I want it to be loved by as many people (as possible),” he says.

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH Aamir Khan will be seen next in Thugs of Hindostan