Respect Shah Rukh, but Salman more dear: Aamir Khan

Actor Aamir Khan is both anxious and excited as he makes his TV debut today. “I can’t wait to see how the response to the show is,” he says. Though with the buzz that Satyamev Jayate has generated, trade is already betting on it opening to high TRPs, but Aamir insists that those ratings are the last things on his mind.

Interestingly, apart from his show’s TRP being compared to that of senior actor Amitabh Bachchan’s show, Aamir’s show is likely to be compared to that of good friend, actor Salman Khan as well as that of rival actor Shah Rukh Khan.

“Why only them, there’ve been so many other actors on TV. But, you know, I am really not looking at breaking anyone’s record. That’s not my or my show’s motive,” says the actor when asked about the expectations of his show opening to higher TRPs than that of his B-Town peers. “Had that been the case, then I would have agreed to do the first game show that came my way and made my money,” adds Aamir.

“I have waited for two years to come on TV with something worthwhile and something that would mean much more to my audience too. For me the show has been a journey of discovery, and it has transformed me in many ways, and that’s what I hope it will be for my viewers too,” he shares.

TV apart, there’s been constant buzz in B-Town about it being a Salman and him versus SRK. “Salman is a very dear friend, and we do catch up, but not to discuss people. Nor are we a bunch of schoolers to team up against anyone. My friendship with Salman has nothing to do with my equation with Shah Rukh or his equation with Salman. I have a lot of respect for Shah Rukh,” says Aamir.

As for the constant tug of war for the numero uno spot at the BO, Aamir says, “Whoever wants the throne can have it, main toh yaheen theek hun yaar,” he laughs pointing to the couch he’s comfortably seated on. “When I do films there’s no other motive than it being something that I feel passionately about, so it really doesn’t matter what the others are doing.”

Incidentally, it’s also the first time in years that the actor has three films on floor simultaneously apart from a TV show. And though well-spaced out, juggling work with son Azad is not easy. “It’s all in a hard day’s work, but at night I sleep a happy man and Azad is my best energy recharger,” smiles Aamir.