Working with Amitabh Bachchan is a dream come true: Aamir Khan

Aamir Khan is a superstar to whom accolades have always come easy. His 30-year-old career has had several acting milestones. But the Aamir of the last decade (from 2009-2018) is not content just to rest on his laurels. Modesty stops him from screaming from the rooftop about money matters. However, if you follow Hindi mainstream cinema, you will notice that he is indeed a box-office lion. His last few films — 3 Idiots, PK, Dangal and Secret Superstar — have set enviable records in India, China, the Silicon Valley, Australia and more global destinations. 

On his 53rd birthday, the actor-filmmaker is not in a mood to discuss the obvious. Instead, he’s game to answering innocuous questions.

Who do you think will be the first to wish you on your birthday?

I’m shooting during the night in Jodhpur for Thugs of Hindostan. So, I’m guessing it will be someone from the unit. However, I hope Amitabh Bachchan is the first to wish me.

Any specific birthday plan?

My birthday plan is always to try and spend time with my mother. This year, as I’m away from home, I’ve requested my director, Victor (Vijay Krishna Acharya), to relieve me for a day. If that happens, I’ll travel to Mumbai to be with my mother. But if it’s not possible then she will come to Jodhpur. She’s the person because of whom I’m in this world, so I want to spend this day with her. 

You have the most enviable box-office record in India, China and the Silicon Valley. So are you the most invincible Khan?

I’m not in a war. So, I don’t have to be invincible. I’m a storyteller. I have to tell stories, entertain people and give them a good time. I’m trying to be inclusive in my work, so I entertain everyone including those from my fraternity. An actor-filmmaker is someone who has to be able to take the audience on a joyride. And that’s what I’m trying to do.

When you become a part of a film or any project, it suddenly becomes more exciting. The trade calls it the Aamir effect. Are you scared of this or are you challenged by it?

Thankfully, I’m totally unaware of any effect that I have on people around me. Since I am oblivious to it, I have no idea that it even exists. I do believe that all creative people bring a certain energy to the work that they do. It excites me to work with other talented people and feed off their energy when all of us come together to make a film. 

Thugs of Hindostan looks interesting. Can you tell us about your experience of working with the Indian cinema icon, Amitabh Bachchan in it? 

Working with Mr Bachchan was my dream and I’m really happy that I’m living it right now. I’m like a child in a toy shop and he is a complete joy to work with. His ability as an actor, his concentration, the effort that he puts in, his focus towards his work and above all, the kind of person he is, all this makes it a very enriching and memorable experience for me. So, it’s a dream come true.

THE MARATHON MAN

3 IDIOTS (2009) 

India Net: Rs 201.37 Cr 
Worldwide Gross: Rs 350 Cr 

TALAASH (2012) 

India Net: Rs 91.23 Cr 
Worldwide Gross: Rs 175 Cr 

DHOOM 3 (2013) 

India Net: Rs 260.63 Cr; (with Tamil & Telugu dubbed versions: Rs 275 Cr) 
Worldwide Gross: Rs 550 Cr 

PK (2014) 

India Net: Rs 337.72 Cr 
Worldwide Gross: Rs 620 Cr 

DANGAL (2016) 

India Net: Rs 374.53 Cr; Hindi (with Tamil & Telugu dubbed versions: Rs 391 Cr)  
Worldwide Gross: Rs 730 Cr 

SECRET SUPERSTAR (2017) 

India Net: Rs 62.63 Cr 
Worldwide Gross: Rs 126 Cr

 *** Approximate box-office figures from trade sources; All overseas gross figures are from traditional India markets only, not China, etc.