Posted:
'I'D LIKE ALL MY KIDS TO GET INTO FILMS'
23 Mar 2015
Hindustan Times
Prashant Singh
Ask any star parents what professions they would like their children to choose, and chances are they'll give you a vague answer. Rarely do actors talk about what they expect from their offspring. But Aamir Khan is different. He has no qualms admitting that he would love for his children " Junaid (22), Ira (18) and Azad (3) " to be part of the film industry.
Junaid is studying film-making in the US. Do you keep tabs on what he is up to?
He is doing well. I don't keep tabs as such, but I do chat with him every now and then. He is on our family's WhatsApp group.
Does he plan to get into direction when he comes back, or will he continue assisting film-makers?
I don't ask him about all this. I like to let him be, and feel free to do whatever he wants to do. When he wants to tell me something, he will. But I hope he takes up direction. It is a great line. I would like all my kids to get into films eventually... if they want to, then why not? Personally, I would love to see them in my line. But I will support them in whatever they decide to do and, more importantly, in whatever makes them happy.
You recently celebrated your 50th birthday. When you look back, can you identify a turning point in your career?
Yes. It came very early, and has been one of the most important milestones in my life. My first film (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak; 1988) had released and it had become a hit. So, within four or five months, I had signed about nine more. When the shooting for a few began, I realised I had made some really bad decisions. I used to go home after shooting and cry. I was so unhappy and I used to feel frustrated. It was a big learning experience for me. It made me what I am today. At that time, I promised myself that I would never do a film again unless I was happy and content with the script.
Does your work ever drain you emotionally?
Actually, the most emotionally devastating experience hasn't been related to films; it was my TV show. It left me very brittle. During the research, my team and I came face-to-face with some very harsh realities of life, and that messed with our emotional stability. We took an emotional beating during that process.
You always take up challenging roles. Your upcoming film will see you play an exwrestler, who has three grown-up daughters. Once again, you have physically transformed yourself to suit the character. Does this process ever become painful for you?
No, it never does. Over time, I don't know what it does to your head (laughs), but right now, it is not painful. The fact that an actor gets to be different human beings is what makes the job exciting. The painful part is generally more physical. Emotionally, I am perfect, but I think we might have to check with my wife about that (laughs).
Has your wife, Kiran Rao, decided what she will take up next? It has been almost four years since she directed a film (she made her debut with Dhobi Ghaat in 2011).
She is working on a number of scripts. But I don't think she has locked on any yet. Currently, she is in the writing process.
Reports recently revealed that a sequel to director John Matthew Matthan's Sarfarosh (1999) is on the cards. Is this news true?
Right now, there is no script. So, I can't say anything.
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