“We are not a production house that believes in quantity."
Since its formation in 1999, Aamir Khan Productions has given Bollywood lovers several sterling, thought-provoking and entertaining films.
These films contain breathtaking performances and often carry social messages that have a profound impact on society.
Started by Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, the company is one of the leading film production companies in India.
For those who loved the company’s enthralling sports film Sitaare Zameen Par (2025), there is plenty more enriching material that the banner has to offer.
DESIblitz proudly lists seven films from Aamir Khan Productions that fans must watch.
Lagaan (2001)
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker
Stars: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne
Ashutosh Gowariker’s epic, Lagaan, marked the beginning of Aamir Khan Productions.
When Aamir agreed to portray Bhuvan in the film, he also took the responsibility of producing the film.
This was because Aamir felt that he had sufficient trust in the script to produce it according to the project’s requirements.
The result is a cinematic marvel which unforgettably blends sports, romance, and patriotism.
Under threat from the British rule, the villagers of Champaner – led by Bhuvan – accept a bet from Capt. Andrew Russell (Paul Blackthorne) to beat the British in a game of cricket to cancel their land taxes.
With secret help from the captain’s sister Elizabeth Russell (Rachel Shelley), Bhuvan leads the villagers onto the pitch, transforming the film into a nail-biting cricket match.
Lagaan was unlike anything Bollywood had ever seen before. Its scale and original story earned it a nomination for an Oscar in 2002.
Despite losing the accolade to No Man’s Land (2001), the film remains an enduring masterpiece in the psyches of Bollywood fans.
Taare Zameen Par (2007)
Director: Aamir Khan
Stars: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tanay Chheda, Tisca Chopra, Vipin Sharma
The spiritual predecessor of Sitaare Zameen Par, this film marked the directorial debut of Aamir Khan.
It narrates the story of Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary). He is a schoolboy with dyslexia.
Unfortunately, his learning difficulty is unrecognised by his father, leading him to think that Ishaan is lazy and insolent.
This results in Ishaan being packed off to a strict boarding school, where his life becomes a living hell.
Things improve for Ishaan with the arrival of a compassionate Art teacher named Ram Shankar Nikumbh (Aamir).
Nikumbh alerts Ishaan’s family and the school to his dyslexia and helps him develop his reading and writing skills.
The kind teacher also helps Ishaan hone his talent for painting, highlighting the film’s theme that every child is unique in their own way.
Aamir often regards Taare Zameen Par as his favourite film from his career, simply due to the impact the movie had on children, parents, and education.
The film did what the quintessential Aamir Khan film is known for – informing the audience on a key issue in an entertaining manner.
Peepli Live (2010)
Director: Anusha Rizvi
Stars: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghubir Yadav, Shalini Vatsa, Malaika Shenoy, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Naseeruddin Shah
From Aamir Khan Productions comes a satirical black comedy about the suicides of farmers and the subsequent response.
Directed by Anusha Rizvi, Aamir stays behind the camera as producer, backing the film to success.
Peepli Live tells the story of Natha (Omkar Das Manikpuri) and his struggle as a farmer in India.
Also featuring excellent actors including Raghubir Yadav (Budhia), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Rakesh), and Naseeruddin Shah (Saleem Kidwai), the film is an ode to the strength of farmers and agriculture.
The film thoughtfully paints a grave picture in bright colours, bringing a sublime story to life in an elegant way.
The number, ‘Chola Maati Ke Ram’, sung by Nageen Tanvir, aptly shows the heart of the film.
Reviewing the film, Rajeev Masand comments: “[The film is] a scathing satire on the country’s apathy towards the rural class, and specifically towards farmers.
“Peepli Live employs a comic tone to tell a serious story.
“The witty script turns Natha into something of a local celebrity, who draws out the true character and motivations of all those who cross his path.”
Talaash (2012)
Director: Reema Kagti
Stars: Aamir Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kareena Kapoor Khan
A gritty, suspenseful film, Talaash was a Bollywood first offered by Aamir Khan Productions.
In this movie, Aamir stars as Inspector Surjan ‘Suri’ Singh Shekhawat.
Rani Mukerji plays his onscreen wife Roshni Shekhawat, while Kareena Kapoor Khan portrays a sex worker named Rosie / Simran.
Talaash is a poetic canvas of law, love, loss, and loyalty. While solving a peculiar case, Suri is battling his own demons following a tragic familial incident.
This has negatively impacted his marriage and drives him into Rosie’s arms.
With his personal life falling apart, Suri throws himself into the investigation, but will he be able to find the answers he seeks?
In an interview, Aamir explains: “I knew that Talaash wasn’t a Rs 300 crore film, but I still wanted to do it.
“Because it was about coming to terms with loss. I had not done any film like that until then.”
This proves Aamir’s courage in choosing the scripts he emotionally connects with.
Dangal (2016)
Director: Nitesh Tiwari
Stars: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar
One of Indian cinema’s most successful biopics, Nitesh Tiwari’s Dangal is based on the incredible true story of Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters.
In a patriarchal Haryana, Mahavir trained his daughters, Geeta and Babita Phogat, to become top wrestlers.
In Dangal, Aamir brings Mahavir to life, first transforming into the older father by putting on weight.
Then, he sheds the kilograms to play just a few scenes as the healthier, younger man.
The actresses who play his daughters also provide undeniable anchors for the film, wrestling their way into the hearts of the audience.
Dangal tackles equality between children, campaigning for an inclusive society through the lens of sport.
The film was the recipient of several awards.
Aamir also won the 2017 Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’.
The film took China by storm, establishing Aamir as a huge crowd-puller in the country.
Secret Superstar (2017)
Director: Advait Chandan
Stars: Zaira Wasim, Meher Vij, Raj Arjun, Aamir Khan
Continuing with the theme of female empowerment, we come to Advait Chandan’s Secret Superstar.
The movie stars Zaira Wasim as Insia ‘Insu’ Malik. She is an aspiring singer who loves her mother, Najma Malik (Meher Vij).
However, her aspirations are threatened by her abusive father, Farookh Malik (Raj Arjun).
Therefore, Insia must enlist music producer Shakti Kumar’s (Aamir) help to rescue Najma from her violent marriage.
Donning a burqa, Insia gets recognition and fame for her music through a YouTube channel.
Adorned with powerful performances, melodious songs, and touching mother-daughter scenes, Secret Superstar is a must-watch for fans who also seek a progressive society.
This film won several Filmfare awards in 2018.
They included ‘Best Critics’ Actress’ for Zaira and ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for Meher.
Laapataa Ladies (2023)
Director: Kiran Rao
Stars: Nitanshi Goel, Sparsh Shrivastava, Pratibha Ranta, Chhaya Kadam, Ravi Kishan
Kiran Rao helms this rural tale of marriage intertwined with feminism.
In 2001, Deepak Kumar (Sparsh Shrivastava) gets two brides mixed up at a train station.
They are the timid Phool Kumari (Nitanshi Goel) and the confident Jaya Tripathi Singh / Pushpa Rani (Pratibha Ranta).
What follows is a gratifying story laced with humour and finding oneself.
Talented actors including Chhaya Kadam (Manju Maai) and Ravi Kishan (Sub-Inspector Shyam Manohar) provide accurate doses of comic relief.
They ensure that the film does not drag and we become enchanted in this fascinating saga.
Laapataa Ladies earned universal acclaim and once again showed why Aamir Khan Productions is a family-driven banner.
In a 2021 interview, Aamir says: “We are not a production house that believes in quantity.
“We are a production house, which actually is a boutique house.”
The belief of Aamir Khan Productions in quality over quantity is why the standard of its films is usually so high.
The stories that come from the company are largely unforgettable and heartwarming.
Some carry a social message while others are pure entertainers.
But one thing they have in common is giving the viewers transcendental experiences.
For that, Aamir Khan Productions deserves nothing but our respect and admiration.
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