Commenting on the revolution the 26/11 terror attack has brought into the minds of Indian citizens, Aamir Khan said, "Well, I think it has certainly propelled the common man into seeking answers and in a very strong manner. I think it has done something which has a positive outcome. It has brought us together I feel. For many years, terrorism was looked upon with religious colour. I think now people have come to understand that the terrorism in fact has no religion. And the person who is indulging in terrorism, even if in the name of religion is not a person of God at all and is just a sick mind. That realisation has happened for people. People no longer want their leaders to play this politics of divide."
"They(Indian citizens) want progressive thinking leaders, they want their leader to be accountable, they want the leaders to take our country forward, to take our society forward and contribute in a positive manner. These are the positive outcome perhaps," he added.
Speaking on the recent issue over north Indians in Maharashtra, Aamir said, "I think that is an extremely important feeling for all of us. We are all Indians first and that is how it should be for all of us."
Replying on why people are drawn towards a politician like Obama, Aamir said, "I think Obama represents hope, a high level of integrity, intelligence and positive thinking. These are all the qualities that one feels from him. He still has to live up to all the expectations...we have from him as of now.... But this is what he stands for; this is what he made us feel for him. These are all very positive things. We all are looking for a leader who is intelligent, bright, strong, progressive, who has love in his heart, is inclusive and not exclusive in his thinking. I think these are all the qualities Obama represents and that's the promise he has given us in what he says and how he conducts himself. I think we are looking for it here in India also."
On electing India's future political leaders, Aamir said, "As the general elections are coming, I do hope in all sincerity, that this time at least political parties put up candidates who are upright, honest, and who don't have a criminal record.... They have been giving tickets to some who don't deserve to get it.... For a national political party to put up a candidate who has a dubious background is very unfortunate and is not something we look forward to at all. I hope this time around major political parties at least are careful enough to put candidates of high integrity and no criminal background. And if they are not then as an Indian citizen I feel here is political party who is not putting candidates of any quality."
On being asked whether he can see any Obama-like politician in India, Aamir said, "Not as of now. I don't see anyone right now. I mean based on what I have seen in our national politics. I think Rahul (Gandhi) seems to be a very upright person, very sincere, but I am yet to hear him speak on issues. So, I can't form my mind on that. He certainly seems to be someone who has lots of sincerity."
So, would Aamir ever get into politics? To this, he replied, "I don't want to. I'll support a political party only when I seriously believe that this is infact a party in which I have real hope in and full confidence in. Otherwise I would never endorse a political party. That is a very big responsibility if I am taking my neck out and saying this is a guy I trust and let's back him, then I have to be really sure about it. Not just of that one person but of the entire part, their ideologies, their beliefs and their plans and how they intend to take a country forward."
Commenting on his journey from Tare Zameen Par to Ghajini, he said, "It has been a good year for me and I am really happy with the success I got not only as an actor or as a director with my first film but even also as a producer of the film Jaane Tu which did really well.. I am really happy with the kind of success Ghajini is getting. It is unprecedented. And I am really happy with how things have gone. And I try to do different stuff and I pick films which excites me and which challenge me as an actor, something I haven't done before.
Sharing his feelings on what made Taare Zameen Par so close to his heart, he said, "I think its story is really moving and sensitive. So at this point of time it is one of the favourite films of mine, I have done. The emotion with which it was made was fulfilled. The reason I wanted to be the part of the film was that I wanted to share what I had felt, when I read the script and I wanted people to be sensitised about children, childhood and education."
About him coming out of the stereotype image made by the audience, he said, "Quite frankly, I have shattered them a long back. In the sense that all my films are huge box office successes. I don't think Ghajini was meant to prove that. I mean certainly film like Rang De Basanti, Fanaa and Taare Zameen Par have been really huge at the box office.... Lagaan and all these films. Of course, Ghajini has broken all records; it is the biggest grosser ever in Indian cinema so far. That's really huge and I am happy about that. I think it is a film which after long has an appeal which is pan-Indian. And for that matter even across the world where people watch Indian cinema. It is a film which appeals to all kind of audiences for Indian cinema.. Right from may be an NRI audience to a city audience in India to a small town, to a village. That's why its potential is so huge."
On the movie Ghajini being violent and whether it should be seen by children, Aamir said, "The Censor Board did, in fact, ask us for some cuts which we did.... I think the Board gave it due thought before coming out with the certification U/A, which means parental guidance. It's not a U film. So, I think I agree with their understanding."
"Today there are so many video games which are violent. And film has a couple of sequences, which are certainly violent. There is not that much blood. But there is a fair amount of action in the film. There are so many films that have action. So, I think if a parent feels that he would not like his child to see that film that certainly is a decision that parents would take.... It is a film which lots of people have enjoyed watching. I feel any film which is U/A certified, parents ought to check out before or wait till they see the review. I myself have done that. Junaid is 15 and he has seen Ghajini and Aira is 10 and she has not. As parents, me and Rina have taken that call," Aamir further added.
So, why does Aamir avoid award ceremonies? Aamir replied, "I attend ceremonies that I have value for. It is nothing to do with the borders. I don't want to be part of award ceremony where lots of underhand things are happening."
Elaborating his view on Taare Zameen Par not nominated for the Oscars, Aamir Khan said, "I wasn't surprised.... I don't make films for awards – Academy or any awards. I make films for the audiences. The audience, for which I have made the film, really loved it. The audiences outside India have seen the film and also loved it. I had a screening for the International Dyslexia Association in the US a couple of months ago. The people there were all educators and closely connected with dyslexia. They have really loved the film. These were the people from all over the world who know the issues of children very closely and they gave it a standing ovation."
He further added, "So, what I am trying to say is that film has been well loved…across the globe and that for me is extremely heartening and something that I give very high value to...if it would had been nominated it would have been great. But I have to say, Mark Johnson who is the Chairman of the Foreign Language Committee, himself, called me and said he loved the film. It is certain that the members have liked it and obviously there are other films they liked more so we were not nominated. Sixty seven or so films come from different parts and I think it is very difficult to choose five films. While five are chosen there may be five or ten which they may have really liked but somewhere have not got requisite amount of votes."
Negating that Indian films like Slumdog Millionaire do well when it has a western director, Aamir said, "I don't think so. First of all I haven't seen Slumdog Millionaire. Until I see, I can't comment about that aspect. I don,t see Slumdog... as an Indian film. I think it is a film about India like Gandhi was made by Sir Richard Attenborough, It was a film about India, about Mahatma. I don't see it as an Indian film. Similarly I feel Danny has made a film and he is a very talented director and I am really hoping that it is a great film. It is about India but it is not an Indian film. But that doesn't take away from it. I hope it does well in Academy."
Aamir added, "I think films are made about different topics, while we have so many films made about the US or about different countries in Europe. I think we show many negative things about those societies and countries. I don't think it is got to do anything with India or abroad. If you look at the world cinema, you will find the strive, trouble and the grime side of the life or underbelly of the society often shown in a number of films about different society. I think the film makers are creative people and they are storyteller and they are telling us a story. I don't think Slumdog... is making an attempt to show the underbelly of India or that may be its selling point. I don't think Danny Boyle needs to do that."
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