1. Overview
Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan, known professionally as Aamir Khan, is a prominent Indian actor, filmmaker, and television personality primarily working in Hindi cinema. Often referred to as "Mr. Perfectionist" by the media, he is celebrated for his meticulous approach to filmmaking and his diverse roles across various genres. Khan has distinguished himself through his focus on films that address significant social issues, such as education and gender equality, aiming to create a positive impact on society both in India and internationally. His career, spanning over three decades, has established him as one of the most influential and notable figures in Indian cinema. He is a recipient of numerous accolades, including nine Filmfare Awards, four National Film Awards, and an AACTA Award. The Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010, and he received an honorary title from the Government of China in 2017. Beyond his cinematic achievements, Khan is recognized for his active involvement in humanitarian causes and social reform, notably through his television talk show Satyamev Jayate, which earned him a spot on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people in 2013.
2. Early Life and Background
Mohammed Aamir Hussain Khan was born on 14 March 1965 in Bombay (now Mumbai) to film producer Tahir Hussain and Zeenat Hussain. He is the second of four siblings, with a younger brother, Faisal Khan, and two sisters, Farhat and Nikhat Khan. His family has historical roots in Herat, Afghanistan, and his paternal grandfather was a Pashtun zamindar and schoolteacher. His paternal grandmother was of Arab ancestry, tracing her lineage to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and was a niece of the renowned scholar and freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Khan has expressed a desire to make a film about Maulana Azad. Najma Heptulla, the 16th Governor of Manipur and a grand-niece of Maulana Azad, is Khan's cousin.
Several of Khan's relatives were deeply involved in the Hindi film industry. His late paternal uncle, Nasir Hussain, was a prominent producer and director. Nasir's son, Mansoor Khan, a director, cast Aamir in many of his films, and Nasir's grandson, Imran Khan, is a former Hindi film actor. Through his mother, Khan is also a nephew of the Fazli brothers, who were filmmakers in both India and Pakistan.
Khan's early exposure to film began as a child actor. At the age of eight, he appeared in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), which is considered the first masala film in Bollywood. The following year, he played a younger version of Mahendra Sandhu's character in Madhosh.
For his pre-primary education, Khan attended J.B. Petit School, later moving to St. Anne's High School, Bandra, until the eighth grade. He completed his ninth and tenth grades at Bombay Scottish School, Mahim. He was an avid tennis player, competing in state-level championships and becoming a state-level champion, admitting he was "much more into sports than studies." He completed his twelfth grade at Mumbai's Narsee Monjee College. Khan described his childhood as "tough" due to his father's financial problems, as most of his film productions were unsuccessful. He recalled receiving "at least 30 calls a day from creditors calling for their money" and being constantly at risk of expulsion from school for unpaid fees.
At 16, Khan became involved in making Paranoia, a 40-minute silent experimental film directed by his school friend Aditya Bhattacharya. Filmmaker Shriram Lagoo, an acquaintance of Bhattacharya, funded the project. Khan's parents, who preferred him to pursue a "steady" career as an engineer or doctor, were kept unaware of the film's shooting schedule. In Paranoia, Khan played the lead alongside Neena Gupta and Victor Banerjee while also assisting Bhattacharya. This experience solidified his decision to pursue a career in film.
Subsequently, Khan joined a theatre group called Avantar, working backstage for over a year before making his stage debut in a small role in the Gujarati play Kesar Bina at Prithvi Theatre. He later performed in two Hindi plays and one English play titled Clearing House. After high school, Khan chose to discontinue his studies and instead worked as an assistant director for his uncle Nasir Hussain on the Hindi films Manzil Manzil and Zabardast.
In 2007, Khan lost a custody battle for his younger brother Faisal to their father, Tahir Hussain, who passed away on 2 February 2010. As a practicing Muslim, Khan, along with his mother Zeenat, performed the Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in 2013.
3. Film Career
Aamir Khan's film career showcases his evolution as an artist and his significant contributions to Bollywood.
3.1. Debut and Early Career (1984-1989)
In his early career, Aamir Khan assisted his uncle Nasir Hussain and also acted in documentaries directed by students of the Film and Television Institute of India. Director Ketan Mehta noticed Khan in these films and offered him a role in the low-budget experimental film Holi (1984). This film, featuring an ensemble cast of newcomers, was based on a play by Mahesh Elkunchwar and explored the practice of ragging in India. The New York Times described Holi as "melodramatic" but "very decently and exuberantly performed by the nonprofessional actors." Khan's role as a rowdy college student was considered "insignificant" and was described by CNN-IBN as "lack[ing] in finesse."
Though Holi did not achieve widespread success, Nasir Hussain and his son Mansoor Khan cast Aamir in the leading role of Mansoor's directorial debut, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), opposite Juhi Chawla. This film, a romantic tragedy about forbidden love and parental opposition, saw Khan portray Raj, a "clean-cut, wholesome boy-next-door." It became a major commercial success, catapulting both Khan and Chawla to stardom. The film earned seven Filmfare Awards, including a Best Male Debut for Khan.
RaakhHindi (Latin script), a crime thriller directed by Bhattacharya, was filmed before Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak but released in 1989. Despite its poor box office performance, Raakh received critical acclaim. Khan was awarded a National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention for his performances in both Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Raakh. Later that year, he reunited with Chawla for the romantic comedy Love Love Love, which was a commercial failure.
3.2. Rise to Prominence (1990s)
The 1990s marked Aamir Khan's establishment as a leading actor in Hindi cinema. In 1990, he had five releases. While Awwal Number, Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin, and Jawani Zindabad were unsuccessful, Tahir Hussain's fantasy drama Tum Mere Ho, co-starring Juhi Chawla, was a box office hit. More significantly, Indra Kumar's romantic drama Dil, opposite Madhuri Dixit, emerged as a blockbuster and the highest-earning film of 1990. This was followed by a leading role alongside Pooja Bhatt in Mahesh Bhatt's Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1991), a semi-hit remake of the American film It Happened One Night.
Khan appeared in several other successful films in the early 1990s, including Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), for which he also wrote the screenplay, and Rangeela (1995). Most of these films garnered critical and commercial success. His 1994 film, Andaz Apna ApnaHindi (Latin script), initially received unfavorable reviews but has since gained cult status. In 1993, Khan also starred in Yash Chopra's action drama Parampara, which, despite an ensemble cast including Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna, Raveena Tandon, and Saif Ali Khan, failed critically and commercially. He was also cast in Time Machine, but the film was shelved due to financial constraints.
Khan maintained an unusual approach for a mainstream Hindi cinema actor by starring in only one or two films a year. His sole release in 1996 was the Dharmesh Darshan-directed mega-blockbuster Raja Hindustani, where he was paired opposite Karisma Kapoor. This film earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor after seven previous nominations and became the biggest hit of the year, as well as the third-highest grossing Indian film of the 1990s. Adjusted for inflation, Raja Hindustani stands as the fourth highest-grossing film in India since the 1990s. In 1997, he acted in Ishq, which proved to be another blockbuster. The following year, Khan appeared in Vikram Bhatt's action thriller Ghulam, for which he also performed playback singing. The film received positive reviews and became a box office hit.
John Mathew Matthan's Sarfarosh, Khan's first film in 1999, was a commercially successful venture. Both the film and Khan's performance were highly praised by critics, as was his role in Deepa Mehta's Canadian-Indian art house film Earth (1998). Earth received international acclaim from critics like Roger Ebert for Khan's portrayal of Dil Nawaz, also known as the "Ice Candy Man." His first release of the 2000s, Mela, in which he acted alongside his brother Faisal, was both a box office and critical failure.
3.3. Hiatus and Comeback (2005-2006)
In 2001, Aamir Khan produced and starred in Lagaan, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards. The film received critical acclaim at several international film festivals and won numerous Indian awards, including a National Film Award. Khan also earned his second Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role. Lagaan's success was followed by Dil Chahta Hai later that year. This film, written and directed by then-debutant Farhan Akhtar, won the 2001 Filmfare Award for Best Film (Critics). After these successes, Khan took a four-year break from Bollywood following his divorce from Reena Dutta.
He made a successful comeback in 2005 as the lead in Ketan Mehta's Mangal Pandey: The Rising, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's Rang De Basanti was Khan's first film in 2006. His performance garnered critical acclaim, earning him a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor and various nominations for Best Actor. The film became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and was selected as India's official entry to the Oscars. Although not shortlisted for the Oscar, it received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA Awards. In Khan's next movie, Fanaa (2006), he played a Kashmiri insurgent terrorist, marking his second antagonistic role after Earth, a role that allowed him to explore different creative possibilities.
3.4. Global Success and Directorial Debut (2007-2017)
Aamir Khan's 2007 film, Taare Zameen ParHindi (Latin script), marked his directorial debut and was also produced by him, with him playing a supporting role. The film, the second release from Aamir Khan Productions, opened to overwhelmingly positive responses from critics and audiences. While his acting was well-received, he was particularly lauded for his direction. He received the Filmfare Awards for Best Director and Best Film of 2007, as well as the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. The film also won other awards, including the 2008 Zee Cine Awards and 4th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards. It was initially acclaimed as India's official entry for the 2009 Academy Awards Best Foreign Film, though it was not ultimately nominated.
In 2008, Khan appeared in Ghajini. The film achieved major commercial success and became the highest-grossing Bollywood movie of that year. For his performance, he received several Best Actor nominations, including his fifteenth Filmfare Best Actor nomination.
In 2009, he starred as Ranchodas Chanchad in 3 Idiots. The film became the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever at the time, breaking the previous record set by Ghajini. 3 Idiots was one of the few Indian films to achieve significant success in East Asian markets such as China and Japan, making it the highest-grossing Bollywood film ever in overseas markets at that time. In May 2012, it became the first Indian film to be officially released on YouTube. The film received numerous awards, including six Filmfare Awards (Best Film and Best Director), ten Star Screen Awards, eight IIFA Awards, and three National Film Awards. Internationally, it won the Grand Prize at Japan's Videoyasan Awards and was nominated for Best Outstanding Foreign Language Film at the Japan Academy Awards and Best Foreign Film at China's Beijing International Film Festival.
Aamir Khan is widely credited with opening up the Chinese markets for Indian films. While his father Tahir Hussain had earlier success in China with Caravan, Indian films saw a decline there until Khan's efforts in the early 21st century. Lagaan became the first Indian film to have a nationwide release in China. When 3 Idiots was released in China, the country was only the 15th largest film market, partly due to widespread pirate DVD distribution, which ironically introduced the film to most Chinese audiences, turning it into a cult hit. It became China's 12th favorite film of all time, according to ratings on the Chinese film review site Douban, with only one domestic Chinese film (Farewell My Concubine) ranked higher. This led to a large and growing Chinese fanbase for Khan. Following the viral success of 3 Idiots, several of his other films, such as Taare Zameen Par and Ghajini, also gained a cult following in China. By 2013, China had grown to become the world's second-largest film market (after the United States), significantly contributing to Khan's box office success with Dhoom 3 (2013), PK (2014), and Dangal (2016).
His next appearance was in the psychological crime thriller, Talaash: The Answer Lies Within (2012). Directed by Reema Kagti and produced by Excel Entertainment and his own production house, it co-starred two of his frequent collaborators, Kareena Kapoor and Rani Mukerji. Khan, who had never learned to swim, underwent rigorous training for three months under a specialist trainer to prepare for an underwater sequence in the film. Box Office India reported that Talaash: The Answer Lies Within grossed 912.00 M INR net by the end of its run and was declared a "semi-hit."
His subsequent venture was Dhoom 3 with Yash Raj Films, a role he considered the most difficult of his career. The film was released worldwide on 20 December 2013. Box Office India declared Dhoom 3 "the biggest hit of 2013" just two days after its release, with the film grossing 2.00 B INR worldwide in three days and 4.00 B INR worldwide in ten days, making it the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time.
In 2014, he appeared as the eponymous alien in Rajkumar Hirani's comedy-drama PK. The film received critical acclaim and emerged as the 4th highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time. Raja Sen praised the film as a "triumph" and stated that "Aamir Khan is exceptional in PK, creating an irresistibly goofy character and playing him with absolute conviction." The film won two Filmfare Awards and received a top award at the 9th Tokyo Newspaper Film Awards in Japan.
In 2016, he produced and starred in Dangal, portraying wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat. Khan played Phogat at different ages, from 20 to 60 years old, gaining weight to 216 lb (98 kg) for the older version before losing it to portray the younger character. The film received positive reviews from critics and became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time domestically, surpassing PK, marking the fifth time Khan had achieved this feat. Dangal also became an overseas blockbuster success in China, where it was the 16th highest-grossing film of all time, the 8th highest-grossing foreign film, and the highest-grossing non-Hollywood foreign film. Worldwide, it became the fifth highest-grossing non-English language film of all time and earned him one of the highest salaries for a non-Hollywood actor at 42.00 M USD. Dangal has also been watched over 400 million times on Chinese streaming platforms. The film earned him two more Filmfare Awards (Best Film and his third Best Actor award).
In October 2017, he starred in a supporting role in his production Secret Superstar. The film went on to become one of the most profitable films of all time, grossing 8.76 B INR worldwide on a limited budget of 200.00 M INR and is the highest-grossing Indian film featuring a female protagonist.
3.5. Recent Career and Fluctuations (2018-Present)
In November 2018, Aamir Khan starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan in the action-adventure film Thugs of Hindostan. The film received negative reviews from critics. Produced at an estimated budget of 3.00 B INR, it is one of the most expensive Bollywood films. The film grossed 3.35 B INR at the worldwide box office and was considered a box office failure.
In March 2019, on his 54th birthday, Aamir Khan confirmed his next appearance would be in Laal Singh Chaddha, an adaptation of Forrest Gump. The film features him in the lead role and is directed by Advait Chandan, who previously directed Khan in Secret Superstar. The film's release on 11 August 2022 marked Khan's return after a four-year hiatus, opening to mixed reviews from critics. The film flopped significantly at the box office and was declared a "disaster." In an interview with Hindustan Times, Khan expressed sorrow over the failure of Laal Singh Chaddha, stating, "I made so many mistakes in this film on so many levels. Thank God I made these mistakes in just one film."
3.6. Film Production and Direction
Aamir Khan's contributions to filmmaking extend beyond acting, encompassing significant work in production and direction. He co-wrote the screenplay and script for Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), in which he also starred.
He formally began working as a producer after establishing Aamir Khan Productions in 1999. Its inaugural film, Lagaan (2001), was selected as India's official entry to the 74th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, becoming India's third nominee ever. It won the National Film Award for Most Popular Film, an honor shared between Khan and the film's director, Ashutosh Gowariker. For producing the documentary Madness in the Desert, which chronicled the making of Lagaan, Khan and director Satyajit Bhatkal were awarded the National Film Award for Best Exploration/Adventure Film at the 51st National Film Awards ceremony. Khan also wrote the climax of Rang De Basanti (2006), a film in which he also starred.
In 2007, he directed and produced Taare Zameen Par, marking his directorial debut. He also played a supporting role in the film. The film was conceived and developed by Amole Gupte and Deepa Bhatia. It received critical acclaim and was a box office success. Taare Zameen Par won the 2008 Filmfare Best Movie Award and numerous other Filmfare and Screen Awards. Khan's work also earned him the Best Director award. In 2008, his nephew Imran Khan debuted in the film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na under Khan's production house. The film was a significant hit in India and earned Khan another nomination for Best Film at Filmfare. He also co-wrote the blockbuster film Ghajini (2008), in which he starred, making alterations to the original 2005 Tamil film and rewriting the climax. In 2010, he released Peepli Live, which was selected as India's official entry for the 83rd Academy Awards' Best Foreign Film category.
In 2011, he released his home production Dhobi Ghat, an art house film directed by his then-wife Kiran Rao. In the same year, Khan co-produced the English language black comedy film Delhi Belly with UTV Motion Pictures. The film opened to critical acclaim and was a commercial success, with a domestic revenue of over 550.00 M INR. In 2012, he starred in Reema Kagti's neo-noir mystery film Talaash, a joint production of Excel Entertainment and Aamir Khan Productions. The film was declared a semi-hit in India and accumulated a worldwide gross of 1.74 B INR.
His next production was Secret Superstar (2017), which became one of the most profitable films ever in proportion to its limited budget. In China, Secret Superstar broke Dangal's record for the highest-grossing opening weekend by an Indian film, further cementing Khan's status as a superstar in China. Secret Superstar is the third highest-grossing Indian film of all time. With his films providing serious competition to Hollywood in the Chinese market, the success of films like Dangal and Secret Superstar significantly drove up the buyout prices of Indian film imports for Chinese distributors. Khan's earnings for Secret Superstar from the Chinese box office are estimated to be 1.90 B INR, higher than any other Indian actor-producer has ever earned from a film. The film increased Aamir Khan's cumulative Chinese box office total to 2.23 B INR.
Khan co-produced the 2024 release Laapataa Ladies, alongside his then-wife Kiran Rao and Jyoti Deshpande. Directed by Kiran Rao, it was a satire on the state of women in rural marital affairs, starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastav, Chhaya Kadam, and Ravi Kishan. The film premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival and was released theatrically in 2024. It received widespread critical praise and achieved further success following its release on Netflix, garnering 13.8 million views on the platform in just a month and becoming the second most-watched Indian release of 2024. The film was later chosen as the Indian entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, though it was not nominated.
Khan is currently producing Lahore 1947, which will be directed by Rajkumar Santoshi and star Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta. A film adaptation of Asghar Wajahat's Punjabi play Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya O Jamyai Nai (One who has not seen Lahore has not been born), it will be set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition of India and is scheduled for release in June 2025.
3.7. Television Work
Aamir Khan made his television debut with his talk show, Satyamev Jayate, which premiered on 6 May 2012. The show focused on social issues, and due to its phenomenal public response, Khan announced plans for a second season. Satyamev Jayate was broadcast live simultaneously on StarPlus, Star World, and national broadcaster Doordarshan in the 11 am Sunday slot across eight languages, marking a first for Indian television.
The show opened to positive reviews and feedback from social activists, media houses, doctors, and film and television personalities, with Khan receiving praise for his efforts. Despite initial hype and being labeled as the channel's most ambitious project to date, the initial viewership figures were not as high as expected; the debut episode on 6 May received an average television rating of 2.9 in the six metros, watched by only 20% of TV viewers, which was lower than most other celebrity-hosted shows at the time. Khan later stated that the reason the show did not continue airing was not due to any court verdict, but because the producers, directors, and talent involved were busy with the water conservation project of the Paani Foundation, which they prioritized. In Chinese media, Satyamev Jayate is highly regarded and is one of the highest-rated productions on Douban.
4. Personal Life
Aamir Khan married Reena Dutta, who had a small part in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, on 18 April 1986. They have two children: a son named Junaid and a daughter, Ira. Dutta was briefly involved in his career as a producer for Lagaan. In December 2002, Khan filed for divorce, ending their 15-year marriage, and Dutta took custody of both children.
On 28 December 2005, he married Kiran Rao, who had served as an assistant director to Ashutosh Gowariker on the set of Lagaan. On 5 December 2011, they announced the birth of their son, Azad Rao Khan, born via a surrogate mother. In July 2021, the couple announced their separation, stating their intention to continue co-parenting their son Azad.
His former wife Kiran Rao is a Hindu. In March 2015, Khan announced that he had quit non-vegetarian food and adopted a vegan lifestyle, inspired by her.
Before pursuing a full-time acting career, Aamir Khan was an avid tennis player. He competed professionally in state-level championships in the 1980s and became a state-level tennis champion. In 2014, he participated in an exhibition match for the International Premier Tennis League, playing doubles with Grand Slam winners Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as well as Sania Mirza.
His children have also ventured into the entertainment industry. In September 2019, Ira announced on social media that she would be directing a theatrical production, her first, a version of Euripides' Medea. Veteran actress Sarika, ex-wife of Kamal Haasan, and her daughter Akshara Haasan produced the play, and Khan's sister Farhat Dutta painted a poster for its promotion. His elder son Junaid made his acting debut in the Hindi film Maharaj.
5. Humanitarian Causes and Social Engagement
Aamir Khan has actively championed various humanitarian causes and social issues throughout his career. In April 2006, he participated in demonstrations organized by the Narmada Bachao Andolan committee, protesting the Gujarat government's decision to raise the height of the Narmada dam. He publicly supported the adivasis (tribal communities) who faced displacement from their homes due to the project. This stance led to protests and an unofficial ban on his film Fanaa in the entire state of Gujarat. Despite the backlash, Khan refused to apologize, stating, "I am saying exactly what the Supreme Court has said. I only asked for rehabilitation of poor farmers. I never spoke against the construction of the dam. I will not apologise for my comments on the issue." The then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, supported Khan's right to freedom of expression, stating, "Everyone has the freedom of expression. If someone says something on a particular subject, that doesn't mean you should start protesting." Khan also lent his support to the Janlokpal Bill Movement led by Anna Hazare in August 2011.
Regarding the entertainment tax in the 2012 budget, Khan stated he did not seek a reduction but expected a focus on education and nutrition. In February 2010, he resigned from the GOI's copyrights panels due to sharp differences with other members. During the promotion of 3 Idiots, he traveled to various parts of India, particularly small towns, recognizing that "filmmakers from Mumbai don't understand small-town India." This experience of connecting with "regional India" was further extended through his television show Satyamev Jayate. On 16 July 2012, Khan met with the Prime Minister and the Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment to discuss the plight of manual scavengers, advocating for the eradication of manual scavenging in the country.
On 30 November 2011, he was appointed national brand ambassador of UNICEF to promote child nutrition, a role he continued as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in October 2014. He is part of the government-organized IEC campaign to raise awareness about malnutrition. Khan is also known for supporting causes such as feminism and improved education in India, themes that are often reflected in his films. His significant crossover success in China has been described as a form of Indian soft power, helping to improve China-India relations despite political tensions between the two nations (such as Doklam and the Maldives). Khan has explicitly stated his desire to help "improve India-China ties." Given his household name status in China, he has been considered India's brand ambassador to China by the Indian commerce ministry, potentially contributing to reducing the trade deficit with China.
In 2016, Aamir Khan collaborated with the Maharashtra government on an initiative to make the state drought-free within five years. He has actively participated in shramdaan (voluntary labor) for this cause for several years, encouraging others to join as Jal Mitras (water friends). Khan explained to journalists that the popular TV show Satyamev Jayate did not go on air not due to a court verdict, but because all the producers, directors, and talents involved were dedicated to this water conservation project, which they considered their most important initiative. He is a co-founder of Paani Foundation with Kiran Rao, a non-profit, non-governmental organization focused on drought prevention and watershed management in Maharashtra, India.
6. International Influence and Reception
Aamir Khan holds immense popularity and influence globally, particularly in China, where he has been described by Newsweek as "the biggest movie star in the world." He has been regularly listed among The 500 Most Influential Muslims of the world.
His immense popularity in China stems from his films addressing various social issues prevalent in Indian society, many of which resonate with Chinese society in a way that domestic Chinese films often do not. His work is highly regarded in China, with films such as Taare Zameen Par (2007), 3 Idiots (2009), and Dangal (2016), as well as his television show Satyamev Jayate (2012-2014), being among the highest-rated productions on Douban, China's popular film review site. In China, Khan is known for his association with quality cinema and commitment to social causes, often seen as an activist-actor. While Chinese media previously referred to him as "India's Andy Lau", younger fans now affectionately call him "Uncle Aamir" or "Mishu." He has become a household name in China, where he is currently considered the most famous Indian. His book I'll Do it My Way is commonly found in bookstores across China, and Chinese retailers sell merchandise ranging from "Uncle Aamir" smartphone cases to Dhoom 3-style black hats. His impact in China has drawn comparisons with previous Indian cultural icons in the country, including the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore, and actors Raj Kapoor and Nargis.
Beyond China, Khan is also popular in Turkey, Hong Kong, and Singapore, among many other countries. In April 2013, he was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. He was featured on the cover of Time's Asia edition in September 2012 with the title "Khan's Quest" - posing the question: "He is breaking the Bollywood mold by tackling India's social evils. Can an actor change a nation?"
7. Political Controversies
Aamir Khan has been involved in several significant controversies and public debates stemming from his statements and actions, particularly concerning social and political issues in India.
7.1. Gujarat Dam Controversy (2006)
In 2006, Aamir Khan publicly supported the Narmada Bachao Andolan movement, led by activist Medha Patkar, in their opposition to raising the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. While promoting his film Fanaa in Gujarat, he made comments regarding the then Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi's handling of the Narmada Dam project and emphasized the necessity of rehabilitating the displaced villagers.
These comments were met with outrage from the BJP, and the government of Gujarat demanded an apology from Khan. He refused to apologize, stating, "I am saying exactly what the Supreme Court has said. I only asked for rehabilitation of poor farmers. I never spoke against the construction of the dam. I will not apologise for my comments on the issue." An unofficial ban on Fanaa was subsequently imposed across the entire state of Gujarat. Protests against the film and Khan occurred, including the burning of his posters. As a result, several multiplex owners stated they could not guarantee security for customers, leading all theatre owners in Gujarat to refuse to screen the film.
7.2. Intolerance Row (2015)
In November 2015, at an event in New Delhi hosted by The Indian Express newspaper, Aamir Khan expressed his and his then-wife Kiran Rao's feelings about rising intolerance in India. These remarks were made in response to political events in India, including violent attacks against Muslims and intellectuals, and the perceived absence of swift or strong condemnation from the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Modi government. He notably remarked that Rao, fearing for her family, had suggested, "Should we move out of India?"
The BJP responded with online campaigns, reportedly through its social media cell, to intimidate Khan. The ensuing political controversy became widely known as the "intolerance row" in the Indian media and sparked a significant debate on social media. Khan faced intense backlash for his comments, with certain sections of society branding him "anti-national", while others voiced their agreement with his concerns and supported him.
Much of the criticism against Khan, an Indian Muslim married to a Hindu woman, came from Hindu nationalist groups. The far-right political party Shiv Sena sharply criticized Khan's statement, labeling it "the language of treachery." The BJP condemned the incident as a "Moral Offence." In the wake of the controversy, posters of Khan were burned in Ludhiana by Shiv Sena activists. The Punjab Shiv Sena chief, Rajeev Tandon, even made a violent threat, offering a 100.00 K INR reward to anyone who would slap Khan. Consequently, Khan and his family were provided with additional police protection. Khan responded to the backlash and threats by stating, "it saddens me to say you are only proving my point."
In response to the backlash, Khan received support from a number of celebrities and public figures, including Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mamata Banerjee, Rajkumar Hirani, Kabir Khan, Farah Khan, A. R. Rahman, and Priyanka Chopra. Conversely, some criticized Khan's remarks about intolerance, including Shatrughan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Raveena Tandon, and Vivek Oberoi.
Khan later clarified his comments in January 2016, stating that he never said India was intolerant or that he thought about leaving the country, emphasizing, "I was born in India and will die in India." He asserted that his comments were taken out of context and that the media was responsible for this misinterpretation to some extent. Despite this clarification, he continued to face backlash later in the year, with calls for protests and boycotts against his film Dangal. In October 2016, the Vishva Hindu Parishad called for protests against the film. Following its release in December 2016, the hashtag #BoycottDangal trended on Twitter, and BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya called for protests against the film. Despite these calls for boycott, Dangal turned out to be a massive hit, grossing more than 5.00 B INR in India.
8. Awards and Honours
Aamir Khan has received numerous awards and honours throughout his career, though he is notable for his stance on attending and accepting popular Indian film awards.
He has won nine Filmfare Awards out of 32 nominations. These include the Best Actor award for Raja Hindustani (1996), Lagaan (2001), and Dangal (2016); the Best Actor (Critics) award for Rang De Basanti (2006); the Best Film award for Lagaan, Taare Zameen ParHindi (Latin script) (2007), and Dangal; and the Best Director award for Taare Zameen Par.
Khan has won four National Film Awards: as an actor for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and RaakhHindi (Latin script) (1989); as producer of Lagaan and Madness in the Desert (2004); and as director and producer of Taare Zameen Par.
His film Lagaan earned an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002. Commenting on losing at the Oscars, Khan stated, "Certainly we were disappointed. But the thing that really kept us in our spirits was that the entire country was behind us." Taare Zameen Par was also India's submission to the Oscars but was not nominated. Another Khan production, Peepli Live (2010), was India's submission to the Oscars, while Dhobi Ghat (2011) was longlisted for the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language; neither were nominated. In 2017, Dangal won him the inaugural Best Asian Film award at Australia's 7th AACTA Awards, as well as Movie of the Year and Top Foreign Actor from China's Douban Film Awards, and it was an award nominee for the 68th Berlin International Film Festival. In 2024, his co-produced film Laapataa Ladies was chosen as the Indian entry for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film for the 97th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated.
Khan has received several honorary accolades from the Indian government, including the Padma Shri in 2003 and the Padma Bhushan in 2010. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Maulana Azad National Urdu University for his contributions to the Indian cinema and entertainment industry. In 2011, he accepted an invitation from the Berlin Film Festival to be on the jury, after having turned it down three times since 2008. In 2012, he appeared on the Time 100 list of most influential people in the world. In 2017, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited Khan to be a member, and he received an award for "National Treasure of India" from China. In December 2024, Khan was honored at the opening night of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Film Festival.
Khan is known for his consistent refusal to attend or accept awards from popular Indian film ceremonies. He has stated that "Indian film awards lack credibility," asserting, "Fact is that I have no objections to film awards. I just feel that if I don't value a particular film award, then I won't attend it either. Apart from the National Film Awards, I don't see any other award ceremony that I should give value to. My personal experience about these award ceremonies is that I don't trust them. I have no faith in them so I would prefer to stay away." This stance has led to controversy, notably at the 2017 National Film Awards, where he was not considered for Best Actor for Dangal. Committee member Priyadarshan explained that they did not want to award him because of his refusal to attend. Despite generally avoiding Indian ceremonies, he made an exception for the 2002 Academy Awards so that Lagaan could reach a wider audience, though he stated he did not care much about the award itself.
9. Influence and Legacy
Aamir Khan has had a profound impact on Indian cinema, redefining mainstream filmmaking by consistently delivering quality content that often carries strong social messages. He is widely regarded as a unique filmmaker and actor who has successfully blended commercial viability with critical acclaim and social relevance. His commitment to addressing issues such as education, gender equality, and social injustices through his films and television work has cemented his legacy as an artist who uses his platform for positive societal change.
Khan's influence extends globally, particularly in China, where he is revered as a "national treasure of India" or "conscience of India" due to his thought-provoking films. His ability to connect with audiences on universal themes has made him a cultural icon, drawing comparisons to historical figures like Rabindranath Tagore and legendary actors such as Raj Kapoor and Nargis. He is credited with significantly expanding the market for Indian films in China, demonstrating the power of Indian soft power through cinema. His meticulous approach to his craft, earning him the moniker "Mr. Perfectionist," has set new benchmarks for dedication and quality in the industry, inspiring both his peers and aspiring filmmakers.
10. Media Portrayal
Aamir Khan's public image is largely defined by his dedication to his craft, leading to his popular nickname in Indian media as "Mr. Perfectionist." This moniker reflects his intense involvement in every aspect of his films, from script development to character portrayal, often undergoing significant physical transformations for his roles. For example, for Ghajini, he built a muscular physique, for 3 Idiots, he shed muscle to play a college student at 44, and for Dhoom 3, he achieved a 9% body fat percentage after a year of intense training.
In Chinese media, he is often referred to as a "national treasure of India" or "conscience of India." This is due to his consistent portrayal of various social issues prevalent in Indian society, many of which also resonate with Chinese society, in a manner that domestic Chinese films often do not. His work is highly regarded in China, with films like Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots, and Dangal, as well as his television show Satyamev Jayate, being among the highest-rated productions on Douban. In China, Khan is known for being associated with quality cinema and a strong commitment to social causes, often seen as an activist-actor. While he was once referred to as "India's Andy Lau", younger fans now frequently call him "Uncle Aamir" or "Mishu". He has become a household name in China, where he is currently the most famous Indian. His book I'll Do it My Way is commonly found in bookstores across China, and Chinese retailers sell merchandise ranging from "Uncle Aamir" smartphone cases to Dhoom 3-style black hats.
Khan has also been a prominent figure in brand endorsements, having represented major companies such as Coca-Cola, Godrej, Titan Watches, Tata Sky, Toyota Innova, Samsung, Monaco Biscuits, and Snapdeal.
In April 2013, he was among Time magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. Khan was featured on the cover of Time's Asia edition in the September 2012 issue with the title "Khan's Quest" - "He is breaking the Bollywood mold by tackling India's social evils. Can an actor change a nation?" In addition to his popularity in India, he is highly popular overseas, particularly in China, the world's second-largest movie market. He is the most followed Indian national on Chinese social media site Sina Weibo, surpassing even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Khan is also popular in Turkey, Hong Kong, and Singapore, among many other countries.
In February 2015, Aamir Khan expressed his views on a popular online comedy group All India Bakchod for its celebrity roast episode. He stated, "I completely believe in freedom of speech, no issues. But we have to understand that we all have a certain responsibility. When I heard what was being described to me I felt it was a violent event." He further elaborated that violence is not just physical but also has verbal aspects. He called the roast a "shameless act" and publicly criticized his friends from the film industry, Karan, Ranveer, and Arjun, for their participation.