Back in the day, love stories were a popular genre for launching new talent. Typically, a launch would involve two innocent-looking youngsters, angry parents, and a family feud with cash and gunfights. However, Aamir Khan’s debut was unusual for an actor known for rebelling against hit formulas. Despite conforming to the script with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, an entire generation fell in love with the film because it had a certain freshness that was hard to describe. While Aamir initially became famous as the chocolate boy, he soon realised he wanted to be known for more than just that.
Over the course of 35 years, Aamir Khan earned several nicknames such as Perfectionist Khan, socially-conscious star, and the man with a Midas touch, but none of them have defined him because he constantly reinvents himself and his movies. He is always ready to explore new paths and doesn’t compromise on his dreams. As QSQT marks its 35th anniversary today, we celebrate his successful career with some of our favourite Aamir Khan films.
Even in his seemingly safe films, such as Laal Singh Chaddha which is a remake of the globally acclaimed modern classic Forrest Gump, Aamir Khan still shows an ambitious streak. In this film, his audacity is not just evident in the elaborate digital de-aging that made him look like a young man, but also in his performance.
Aamir Khan’s role in Thugs of Hindostan was a departure from his usual image as the perfectionist superstar who brings the best stories to cinema. Although the film was not meant to be a comedy, it turned out to be one of the funniest films featuring Aamir in the lead role, albeit unintentionally. Despite the rest of the cast seemingly detaching themselves from their roles, Aamir does not give up on his character and portrayed it with sincerity.
Rang De Basanti was a film that perfectly captured the prevailing mood of the time in India, with the younger generation seeking answers and justice for the wrongs done to people like Jessica Lal and Priyadarshini Mattoo. The film drew on this sense of anger and channelled it into a powerful portrayal of the new generation of angry young men, drawing parallels with figures like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru.
The famous dialogue of Rancho, ‘Success ke peeche mat bhago, excellence ka peecha karo, success jhak maar ke tumhare peeche aayega’ from 3 Idiots seems to sum up Aamir Khan’s own career as the perfectionist Khan. The film had several memorable moments with quotable quotes, hilarious scenes, great music, remarkable performances and an impactful message at the end.
Aamir Khan’s involvement in Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2001 movie Lagaan marked a significant moment in Hindi cinema. Despite scepticism from industry experts and trade analysts over the film’s near-four-hour runtime and focus on a cricket match between the Indian and English teams, Aamir had complete faith in Ashutosh’s vision. In fact, he not only agreed to act in the movie but also produced it. In the film, Aamir portrayed the character of Bhuvan, who had no prior knowledge of cricket but managed to unite his village against the unfair tax policies imposed by the British.
Aamir Khan, one of Indian cinema’s most popular actors, has been an integral part of the entertainment industry for the last thirty years. He has played various roles in his career, with some earning critical acclaim, while others have been box office hits or misses. However, Dil Chahta Hai (2001), directed by Farhan Akhtar, remains one of his most beloved roles, especially among the millennials. Although the film is often described as a buddy movie, it is predominantly an Aamir Khan feature.
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