Aamir Khan: International Star You Need to Know

Variety Staff

(From the pages of the April 2 issue of Variety.)

SOCIAL IMPACT

On the talkshow, he addresses issues including killing of female fetuses, child sexual abuse, honor killings and domestic violence. He successfully campaigned for the Indian government to pass a long-pending child protection bill.

FANS

Steven Spielberg sez he's watched "3 Idiots" three times (from the Hindustan Times).

CONTROVERSY

On "Satyamev Jayate," Khan highlighted malpractice in the medical profession. This earned the ire of the Indian Medical Assn., which demanded an apology. Khan refused, saying those medical professionals troubled by his whistle-blowing were likely the cause of the problems in the first place.

OTHER CREDITS

He starred in 2009's "3 Idiots," India's highest-grossing film of all time, with a cume of more than $80 million and counting, thanks to opening in new territories like Japan in 2013. Khan is known to be a perfectionist who prefers quality films, which is why he has only half the film credits of his contemporaries Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan (no relation to Aamir).

HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION

He produced and starred in 2001's "Lagaan: Once Upon a Time" in India, which scored an Oscar nomination in the foreign-language category; and is starring in "Dhoom: 3," India's first film shot on Imax, which will get a Christmas release.

SRC