MUJHE FARAK NAHI PADTA: AAMIR KHAN

The actor is all for constructive criticism on social media, but says he doesn’t pay heed to arbitrary people attacking him for no reason

Aamir Khan possibly is the last person to experience FOMO (fear of missing out). Whether it’s not attending award shows, not doing multiple films in a year or not making frequent public appearances, Aamir has neither been part of any rat race nor even bothered about being left out. So, even when it comes to his social media presence, Mr Perfectionist follows his own norms.

In fact, he made his Instagram debut only in 2018, well after most of Bollywood. Ask why, and pat comes the reply, “I am a person who is in my own world half the time. So, I am not very often there on social media platforms. You can say I am not very communicative on social media.”

However, Aamir is quick to add that his films and other works are the means through which he wants to be known.

He insists that he likes to communicate through his films. “For me, that’s the most important form of communication. Whether it’s through my films or (TV show) Satyameva Jayate or through Paani Foundation, the communication that I do through my work is what counts,” he explains.

However, it’s not that Aamir totally stays away from airing his views on social media, as he says, “Once in a while I would tweet something or post a picture on Instagram, but yeah, I am not very regular.”

Perhaps that’s also the reason one hasn’t really heard or read about the actor getting into any war of words or hitting back at trolls for nasty comments, if any. But does he take out time to read the comments on his posts on social media? “Yes, I do read them occasionally. Especially around my film’s release, I definitely do, because I want to know what people feel about the film and my character. That’s the time when I go and particularly look for what people are saying,” says the actor, who is currently shooting for his next, Laal Singh Chaddha.

And Aamir asserts he doesn’t let too much negativity affect him. “If someone is just making fun of me or attacking me for no reason, I don’t bother. Aise hi arbitrary log negative bol rahe hain, usse mujhe kucch farak nahi padta aur main uss par respond bhi nahi karta,” he says.

But constructive criticism is something that the Thugs of Hindostan (2018) actor happily welcomes. “If someone gives me criticism which is constructive, I take it seriously because that’s where I am learning. As an actor and a creative person, it helps me learn and grow,” he continues, “When people appreciate my work, it makes me feel nice. I understand what they’ve understood in the film, how they’ve perceived the character; they describe it and it’s a happy feeling that my work connected with them. Even at times when people say they don’t like my work and describe what they didn’t like, it helps me to improve myself. So, I am all for sensible criticism.”

If someone gives me criticism which is constructive, I take it seriously... that’s where I am learning. As an actor and a creative person, it helps me learn and grow

AAMIR KHAN ACTOR