1993 Mumbai riots: When Aamir Khan spent a night under Mahatma Gandhi statue with Sunil Dutt, Yash Chopra and others

Aamir Khan completed 30 years in Hindi cinema this year as his debut film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak clocked 30 years on April 29, 2018. The actor interacted with a group of reporters on the occasion and fondly remembered having met Sunil Dutt. Aamir also shared an anecdote when he happened to spend a night under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi during the 1993 Mumbai riots along with Sunil Dutt, Yash Chopra, Johnny Walker and a noted producer (whose name he couldn't recall). 

Aamir was asked if he was offered the role of Sunil Dutt in Sanju by Rajkumar Hirani. Aamir shared that Raju Hirani had indeed come to him with the script and offered him the part of Sunil Dutt. Aamir explained that he had loved the script and was bowled over by the character of Sanjay Dutt, So he told Hirani that in this film he won't be able to do any other role, but that of Sanjay Dutt. But Ranbir Kapoor was already doing Sanjay's role, so obviously he couldn't do that. 

When asked if he'd met Sunil Dutt and any memories he'd like to share, the 53-years-old actor shared, he had met Sunil Dutt and remembers him as a person who was "graceful, and dignified".

"He used to send me telegrams on Diwali, Eid, birthdays and congratulatory messages. There would be like three-four word messages like 'congratulations, well done'," Aamir recalled.

The actor said he once ended up spending a night under the statue of Mahatma Gandhi with Sunil Dutt and three other stalwarts of the industry in 1993, during the Mumbai riots. "When Mumbai riots happened in 1993, the film industry took out a delegation to the chief minister saying bring in the Army, do what you had to do to stop the riots. Around 30 to 40 people had driven to the CM office... We decided we will sit near Mahatma Gandhi's statue near Mantralaya and will protest in open (to) stop the riots and we won't get up until violence stops. We took turns. Five people including me, Dutt sahab, Yash Chopra ji, Johnny Walker and a producer were there on the first night of protest."

Calling the time spent with the legends as memorable, the Dangal star said they ended up sharing stories about their careers. "I was listening to the stories (about the) career of Dutt sahab, Yash ji and Johnny Walker... It was a wonderful time. It was a memorable night for me under the statue. By the next evening, the CM took some action and things went to normal."

The actor, who has completed 30 years in Hindi cinema, is busy working on his next big release Thugs of Hindostan, scheduled to arrive in theatres in December. 

(With inputs from PTI)