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Salman is more popular than me: Aamir Khan
Meena Iyer, TNN | Aug 11, 2012, 12.00AM ISTRead More:Katrina Kaif|Kareena Kapoor|Farhan Akhtar|Aditya Chopra|Aamir Khan|3 Idiots
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Aamir Khan is in Chicago for three months. In a candid mood, he tells TOI why he has been missing from the big screen for such a long duration, who his close friends are, among other things. Excerpts of an exclusive interview with the superstar...
You've been missing from the big screen for nearly two years!
When my next movie releases in November this year, it will actually be close to two years sinceDhobi Ghat (January 2011). I have rarely done three movies one after another. I'm not used to that style of working. But since I was consumed with my television show for the better part of this year, the movies had to wait.
Raju (Hirani) has patiently waited for you for over a year!
Well, Raju is one of the best directors we have. He's a friend and and I'm grateful to him for being so patient.
3 Idiots is the lone film in the '200-cr club.
Haan, yaar. What makes me even more happy is the fact that 3 Idiots crossed the '200-cr mark though it was released three years ago with just 1500 prints. I give full credit for this film to Raju. Many of the other films that are in the '100-cr club have released with more than double the number of prints (Bodyguard released with 3500 prints) and have still done lesser revenue than 3 Idiots. However, I think I will soon have Salman's company in the '200-cr club.
Who, according to you, is the biggest Khan at this point?
I am not able to judge myself. I find it very difficult to do that. I think, at this point of time, Salman's popularity is on a big high. I personally believe he is much more popular than I am. I am a fan of Salman Khan's. I love watching his movies. I must tell you a secret. I do not know how to whistle. But whenever Salman organises a trial of his film for me; which he always does; I carry a plastic whistle with me and I bring the house down with my ceetis. I don't know about Shah Rukh. I can't compare us.
Raju, Aditya (Chopra) and Farhan (Akhtar) are your close friends?
I enjoy the company of my directors even beyond the film set. A lot of our conversation outside the set revolves around films. But we don't talk about cinema all the time. It would get too boring. I read a lot; discuss my other work with them. For me to be able to gel with a person I need to be able to laugh with that person. All these guys have a great sense of humour. I enjoy Ritesh Sidhwani's company also.
You also have four gorgeous women working with you!
You're right. Let's forget my directors and discuss my heroines'Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor,Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. I'm working with four of the most beautiful and sought-after actress at this point. What more can I ask for?
One heard you recently purchased 22 houses in Shahabad, U.P.? Are you serious about your farming plans?
Of course I am serious about the farming bit. Incidentally, I have purchased the ancestral land in Shahabad Hardoi from 22 relatives. I haven't bought 22 houses. There was miscommunication there. It is a 32-acre ancestral property with just one house on it. It is agricultural land with mango trees. And there are no plans to build on it.
Heard you're doing movies with South villain turned-filmmaker Prakash Raj among other films...
I haven't committed to any other film than the ones I have mentioned above. The rest are rumours.
You've been missing from the big screen for nearly two years!
When my next movie releases in November this year, it will actually be close to two years sinceDhobi Ghat (January 2011). I have rarely done three movies one after another. I'm not used to that style of working. But since I was consumed with my television show for the better part of this year, the movies had to wait.
Raju (Hirani) has patiently waited for you for over a year!
Well, Raju is one of the best directors we have. He's a friend and and I'm grateful to him for being so patient.
3 Idiots is the lone film in the '200-cr club.
Haan, yaar. What makes me even more happy is the fact that 3 Idiots crossed the '200-cr mark though it was released three years ago with just 1500 prints. I give full credit for this film to Raju. Many of the other films that are in the '100-cr club have released with more than double the number of prints (Bodyguard released with 3500 prints) and have still done lesser revenue than 3 Idiots. However, I think I will soon have Salman's company in the '200-cr club.
Who, according to you, is the biggest Khan at this point?
I am not able to judge myself. I find it very difficult to do that. I think, at this point of time, Salman's popularity is on a big high. I personally believe he is much more popular than I am. I am a fan of Salman Khan's. I love watching his movies. I must tell you a secret. I do not know how to whistle. But whenever Salman organises a trial of his film for me; which he always does; I carry a plastic whistle with me and I bring the house down with my ceetis. I don't know about Shah Rukh. I can't compare us.
Raju, Aditya (Chopra) and Farhan (Akhtar) are your close friends?
I enjoy the company of my directors even beyond the film set. A lot of our conversation outside the set revolves around films. But we don't talk about cinema all the time. It would get too boring. I read a lot; discuss my other work with them. For me to be able to gel with a person I need to be able to laugh with that person. All these guys have a great sense of humour. I enjoy Ritesh Sidhwani's company also.
You also have four gorgeous women working with you!
You're right. Let's forget my directors and discuss my heroines'Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor,Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma. I'm working with four of the most beautiful and sought-after actress at this point. What more can I ask for?
One heard you recently purchased 22 houses in Shahabad, U.P.? Are you serious about your farming plans?
Of course I am serious about the farming bit. Incidentally, I have purchased the ancestral land in Shahabad Hardoi from 22 relatives. I haven't bought 22 houses. There was miscommunication there. It is a 32-acre ancestral property with just one house on it. It is agricultural land with mango trees. And there are no plans to build on it.
Heard you're doing movies with South villain turned-filmmaker Prakash Raj among other films...
I haven't committed to any other film than the ones I have mentioned above. The rest are rumours.
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